It's officially the season of pumpkins, crunchy leaves and cosy jumpers! I absolutely adore this time of year - the darker evenings and gloomier weather are the perfect excuse to stay indoors and spend more time crafting.
Looking for some fun autumnal or Halloween crafts that can be done both with and without the kids? This handy list contains my favourite crafts to fill your to-do list with this spooky season.
If you're feeling a little overwhelmed, or you're not quite sure where to start, we have several autumnal / Halloween, beginner-friendly cross stitch designs that are perfect for your cosy Friday evenings in.
If you sign up to the VIP stitch club you'll receive 8 PDF patterns, including 'Smokey the Halloween cat'. This lucky black cat design is great for cross stitch first-timers due to its full stitches and easy-to-follow pattern (and it's free)!
Tap here to sign up and receive 8 FREE digital patterns as well as our top tips for beginners!
Take a look at our halloween-themed cross stitch project which features ghosts, pumpkins, witches, and everything that is loved about spooky season included on this design! The finished project would make a brilliant Halloween decoration, or if you're a true Allhallows Eve enthusiast, a fabulous display all-year round!
Why not pop on your favourite Halloween film ('Hocus Pocus' is my go-to!) or a spooky playlist and get your stitch on?
Celebrate your love of autumn by stitching 'Hello Pumpkin' - this fall pattern features pumpkins, toadstool mushrooms, adorable woodland animals and of course, leaves in beautiful shades of red and orange. The finished design could be turned into a beautiful, fall-themed cushion and used to decorate your home every autumn.
Learn how to turn your cross stitch into a cushion.
Brand new 'Autumn Life' is the latest design in our season's life series. Inspired by leafy walks and golden florals, this stunning design is the perfect project to stitch during this beautiful season. The finished piece would look stunning displayed alongside sister patterns Spring Life and Summer Life (Winter Life coming soon)!
All of our cross stitch kits contain full, easy-to-follow instructions, 1 colour printed pattern, pre-sorted card thread holder, DMC stranded cotton, Zweigart fabric and 1 DMC branded needle.
Keep your needle safe and secure and complete your fall stash by adding on the Pumpkin needle minder for just £9.50! Or why not take advantage of our offer of 3 needle minders for £23.90? The Owl and Hedgehog needle minders would also make the perfect stitchy buddies for these projects.
"I love this little needle minder, it sits on my cross stitch and makes me smile every time I look at it. It’s excellent quality and a must-have for every stitcher."
- Angela W
A great way to celebrate this time of year is by crafting something. It doesn't have to be anything fancy or time-consuming, there are plenty of wonderfully simple crafty activities.
Spider webs made from black bin bags are an easy, budget-friendly activity and make a brilliant Halloween decoration!
To make a spider web decoration from a garbage bag, follow these simple steps:
1. Unfold the bag and lay it flat onto an even surface, trim the bottom and the sides, leaving you with 2 plastic rectangles. Cut the 2 rectangular pieces into squares.
2. Fold the bags diagonally, and trim off any excess that isn't making a perfect square.
3. Fold the bags diagonally again, making a triangle. Fold the triangle in half 2 more times.
4. Similar to creating paper snowflakes, cut a web pattern into the bag while ensuring you don't cut through the middle of the shape. If you need to, use a pen to stencil the pattern onto the bag before you start cutting.
5. Voila! Open up the plastic bag and enjoy your DIY Halloween decoration.
Image above © ActressMama
Another easy, fun activity is painting stones. Head outdoors for an autumnal walk, collect stones, find your paints and paintbrushes from the cupboard and get crafting!
You could paint the stone green and create Frankenstein, orange and create a pumpkin, or if Halloween isn't your thing, why not paint some autumn leaves? The possibilities are endless!
Image above © I Love Painted Rocks
Decorate your fireplace or doorframe with a Halloween or autumnal garland - there are heaps of creative ideas on the Internet, we love this DIY Bat Garland by Let's DIY It All and this Easy DIY Ghosts Garland by Better With Age.
Image above © Let's DIY It All
Your garland can be as detailed or as simple as you like, so this craft is one that's suitable for all ages.
If garlands aren't your style, you could create a Halloween or autumnal themed paper chain instead!
For even more fall craft ideas, check out our autumn and Halloween cross stitch and other crafts Pinterest boards.
Join our Facebook group and connect with supportive, like-minded cross stitchers today. Our proudest achievement is the stitchy family we have built over the years! With over 18,000 members, there's a ton of support available 24/7.
Happy stitching!
That time of year is well and truly upon us again, and you’re probably thinking about what Christmas gifts to buy for your loved ones.
If you happen to know someone who’s a craft or cross stitch enthusiast, then we know that finding presents for cross stitchers isn’t always the easiest, so we’ve put together this blog post to help you.
As we start spending more time indoors, there’s no better way to embrace the warmth and charm of the season than with some creative, hands-on crafting. Imagine transforming your space with festive touches, one DIY project at a time!
Crafting isn’t just about making something beautiful (although that certainly is a huge advantage!), it’s also about finding something that makes you happy, calms your mind and brings you a sense of enjoyment and accomplishment.
For neurodiverse people, crafts can offer amazing benefits, from improved focus and confidence to reduced stress and anxiety.
