This article will explain the advantages and disadvantages of whether to choosing between small and large cross stitch patterns.The styles and sizes of cross stitch patterns can vary immensely, as you may have noticed.There are patterns available that are small, which can be finished up in a few hours. Conversly, there are cross stitch patterns out there that are so large they may take several months or even years to finish. What you have to remember though when picking out a pattern, the most important concept to keep in mind is that you enjoy stitching it.

Difficulty of a pattern is determined by many things, but the first thing to consider is how large or small a pattern is.   Stitching small cross stitch patterns has many advantages over large patterns.  Some cross stitchers get bored with large patterns and like to keep changing projects.  If this is you, you will enjoy the smaller projects because they can be completed quickly.  Because these small projects are finsihed quickly, stitchers that like to see accomplishment find it rewarding to complete a project so quickly. Another advantage to small projects is that they are easier to manage.  With smaller projects, you won’t find yourself with lots of extra fabric outside of the hoop, which some people find dfficult to handle.  Of course, there are disadvantages also.  One of the major one would be the cost involved. Because you finish a project right away, when you get ready to start the next one, of course, you’ll be shopping for floss, material, and another pattern. Of course, to cut costs, you can find free cross stitch patterns on the web.  Here’s a great place for finding free patterns - Free Cross Stitch Patterns.  Another great source for free and cheap cross stitch patterns on the internet is a site called Xstitchpatterns.com (click for xstitch patterns), as there is ususally at least one freebie there.  You can also use the coupon code *promoLV* (without the astericks) in the shopping cart for a $2.95 discount (which makes one pattern free).

Now, we’ll talk about the advantages and disadvantages of large patterns.  With a large design, once you have purchased all of your supplies before starting, if this project lasts you several weeks or months, then there will be no further costs associated with it for quite a while. Some stitchers don’t like the constant floss color changing of the smaller designs, so large designs can be perfect for them.  Because the design is larger, usually each color will need to be used more, therefor less color changing..  With a large cross stitch pattern, though, comes large pieces of fabric.  After hooping your fabric, that leaves lots of bulk to hang over the hoop, which is difficult to mange sometimes.  Another common disadvantage to large projects, regarding the time it takes to complete it, some stitchers get bored with a project, or just tired of looking at it!  Then they will put it  away, and often not come back to it.  Despite these minor disadvantages, the end result with a large project can be quite stunning.

Although there are other factors to consider when deciding on a particular cross stitch design in addition to things such as types of stitches, specialty stitches, etc. you should have a firm grasp about what to expect for both large and small cross stitch patterns, and hopefully this will make your selection easier.  The most important thing to remember is that it is *your* project, and you should be happy with the end result, as well as enjoy the process.