Cross Stitch Bookmark

To cast on: Insert it into the back of the fabric to make your first stitch. Hold an inch tail of the thread at the back of your fabric. As you make your first stitches, be sure to catch the thread at the back within it to secure it in place. To cast off: When you need to use a new thread or if you’ve come to the end of your design, make the last stitch as you usually would, then run the needle through the back of the last few stitches.

1. Start by cutting out a rectangle 12 x 42 squares big.
2. Thread your needle and starting on the corner square and cast on.
3. Use a running stitch all the way around the edge of your bookmark, a running stitch is a simple in one square out the next stitch.
4. When you get to the start again wrap the edge in the same colour wool going into one square around the edge and back into the next.
5. Following the pattern (or one of your own) make a half stitch or a cross stitch in each coloured square changing colour as needed.
6. Once you have completed your design and cast off.
7. Tie a few threads at the top in the centre as a tassel and trim them to the same length.