Olivia Storm

Many of us learned to cross stitch using stamped fabric. With a stamped or printed cross stitch kit, the stitches are marked in color, so it's easy for even a beginner to create the pattern. These easy-to-complete kits make it possible for a new stitcher to learn the basic stitches without also having to count.

Although at times it may seem that stamped cross stitch is fading in popularity, many companies still produce stamped cross stitch kits. These kits usually contain the material, which is stamped with the design, and all the floss you need to complete the pattern. In some cases, the stamped material can be washed after you finish to remove the pattern marks.

As a general rule, simple patterns work best with stamped cross stitch. Complicated patterns that involve many colors can be difficult to follow when stamped onto material. A simple design that involves a limited number of colors is usually easier to follow.

In a traditional stamped cross stitch kit, the areas where you stitch are clearly marked in various colors. Many companies also produce embellished cross stitch kits and no-count cross stitch kits. Both of these kits are variations on stamped cross stitch.

Embellished cross stitch is a design that also is stamped or printed on the fabric. In this case, though, you only stitch some of the design. The entire picture is not stitched, which creates a nice contrast between the stitched areas and the un-stitched areas.

In many cases, embellished cross stitch patterns are complex. Since you only stitch part of the design, it's an easy way to create an intricate picture without a great deal of effort.

Whether you like embellished cross stitch or not is a matter of personal taste. Some stitchers love the way a completed embellished cross stitch project looks. Others do not. Some stitchers dislike that only portions of the pattern are filled in with stitches. You should examine examples of embellished cross stitch yourself and decide if you like these unique pictures.

No-count cross stitch is another variation of stamped cross stitch. In the case of no-count cross stitch, areas are outlined on the fabric. You fill in the areas with the specified colors. The no-count method is easier for many stitchers to follow since they don't have to count stitches.

Unlike a stamped cross stitch design, a no-count design doesn't have each stitch marked, just areas to be completed. The downside to no-count cross stitching is that the outlines are printed on the fabric. These outlines may or may not wash out, depending on the kit.

In many cases, what may determine if you like stamped cross stitch is the quality of the kit. Some manufacturers produce wonderful stamped, embellished, and no-count cross stitch kits. The pictures you create with these kits are as lovely and intricate as any counted cross stitch design.

Other kits may not suit your tastes. Some patterns can be difficult to follow if they don't make it clear what colors to use. Also, in some cases, the stamped pattern may be blurry or even crooked.

If you are interested in trying stamped cross stitch, you can find many beautiful kits both online and at your local craft store. Many stamped and embellished kits are based on famous paintings and can be truly unique.

As you explore the options available, you may find that sometimes you enjoy working on a stamped pattern, while at other times, you prefer working on a counted cross stitch design. Regardless of the method of cross stitch you choose, you can create a beautiful picture that you'll treasure for many years... and yes! Stamped Cross Stitch is live and kickin', and doing very well ~ thank you!