I work as a librarian in my day job and I share what I’ve been reading in my monthly books posts, so it probably comes as no surprise that I love book-related cross-stitch patterns, too.

I feel like there used to be very few options for literary cross-stitch patterns. Those that did exist were usually fairy tales and nursery rhymes and designed for display in children’s bedrooms. But, in the last few years there has been an explosion of book-related designs with many new designers entering the market on sites like Etsy.

Here are just a few patterns that have caught my eye from both well-established designers and newer, emerging designers:

The patterns featured in the collage above are:

1. “Fables & Tales” by The Prairie Schooler
2. “Hansel and Gretel” by Bothy Threads
3. “Persuasion” by Tempting Tangles
4. “Little Red Riding Hood” by Classic Colorworks
5. “Pride and Prejudice” by Petal Pusher
6. “The Book Store” by Country Cottage Needleworks
7. “The Bookshelf” by Little House Needleworks
8. “Pride & Prejudice” by The Primitive Hare

Jane Austen is well represented as are classic fairy tales. I love the look of the paper cutwork fairy tale designs by Bothy Threads. The “Hansel and Gretel” pattern is featured in my collage here, but there is a whole series. Yet, while I love the look, I don’t know if I want to stitch an entire design in DMC 310. Would I get bored? I’m not sure.

The designs here are just the tip of the iceberg for cross-stitch patterns based on books and favorite literary characters. A search on Etsy also turns up loads of patterns for Harry Potter and other, more recent popular stories. And, I must also mention the “Once Upon a Stitch” collections by Brookes Books Publishing. Her Wizard of Oz set is fantastic.

But, I would like to see more literary cross-stitch patterns. So, I’ve started making some of my own. Is this a crazy idea? I don’t know. But, I will start sharing some of my ideas and processes here over the coming weeks.