Cross-Stitch Pattern: Toadstool

I am feeling very happy, I achieved something new. I created my very first and my very own cross-stitch pattern - Toadstool. I know, I know, for many of you it might seem simple and even primitive but for me cross-stitching and embroidery in general never was natural, I didn't have patience for it and I used to get frustrated and bored easily within the first few stitches. So no matter how simple it is I am very happy with my tiny achievement. To celebrate this special event, I would like to share the toadstool cross-stitch pattern with you, my Dear Readers. Go to the end of the page and click on the pattern image. Print it. Use it. Enjoy it!

I made two coasters using this pattern. They are absolutely identical in every way including the size. You cannot even see the second coaster underneath the top one. Even the tiny tags are on the same level. I surprised myself with such a precision. Hehe...

Thanks to the Little Owls coasters that inspired me to take one more step forward on my stitching adventure and learn something new. Creating cross-stitch patterns it is. Hurray! It always seemed way too complicated to me, I needed a ready made pattern that I could simply follow but even that was a challenge for me.

How big the toadstools are? About 3.5cm by 3.5cm. I used Zweigart Cashel Linen (28 count) from Germany that is a bit tricky to handle but feels and looks beautiful. "The linen threads in Cashel Linen are intentionally uneven in diameter. In an unstitched piece of fabric this variation may look like flaws, but it is what gives your finished piece personality." I absolutely agree with that statement.

I used 3 threads of embroidery floss instead of recommended 2 for the toadstools because I wanted to get a bit of a beveled effect. For outlines I used 1 thread in backstitch. You see, I thought I was in love with my Little Owls coasters but now I cannot decide. I love these cute Toadstools a lot. They turned out even better then I pictured them in my mind.

It's a very simple but cute and happy design that you can use pretty much on anything and the good thing is that it does not take a lot of time to stitch it. Hope you like it as much as I do. Have fun!