At Mr X Stitch we love to review textile art and embroidery books for you. There are so many great books to discover, packed with needlework inspiration and textile techniques, so we dive into each book to find out what’s good, what’s bad and let you know why you should pick it up.
With so many cross stitch books to choose from, it can be tricky to find the groovy ones in among the more traditional ones. We’ve put together a list of some best cross stitch books out right now to make your Christmas gift buying easy!
Here are our picks!
- Super Subversive Cross Stitch by Julie Jackson
- The Mr X Stitch Guide to Cross Stitch by Jamie Chalmers
- Zombie Cross Stitch by Erika Kern and Kristy Kizzee
- Criss-Crossing Paris by Fiona Sinclair and Sally-Anne Hayes
- Feminist Cross-Stitch by Stephanie Rohr
- Storyland Cross Stitch by Sophie Simpson
- I Got 99 Problems But A Stitch Ain’t One by Genevieve Brading
- Manga Cross Stitch by Helen McCarthy
- Twisted Stitches by Phil Davison
- Feminist Icon Cross Stitch by Anna Fleiss and Lauren Mancuso
- Star Trek Cross Stitch: Explore Strange New Worlds of Crafting by John Lohman
- Mini Masterpieces by Gaby Pico
- Creepy Cross Stitch by Lindsay Swearingen
- Cross Stitch for the Earth: 20 Designs To Cherish by Emma Congdon
This list contains books for beginners as well as for the more experienced cross stitcher, but also some great themes for you to enjoy, so let’s get stuck in!
Super Subversive Cross Stitch
Let’s hit the ground running with the long awaited sequel to the classic Subversive Cross Stitch! Packed with pithy humour and classic designs, it’s the ideal book for anyone who wants some top notch snarky stitching!
The Mr X Stitch Guide to Cross Stitch
Described by Lord Libidan as “the best cross stitch book in existence” this is my love letter to the craft that started it all.
It teaches you how to cross stitch and, more importantly, why to cross stitch. Learn how to turn your craft into an art and much more!
Zombie Cross Stitch
by Erika Kern and Kristy Kizzee
When this cross stitch book arrived, you could hear the screams of joy from around the world, and beyond the grave!
12 fun designs of the undead variety that are easy to stitch, even if you are recently deceased!
Criss-Crossing Paris
by Fiona Sinclair and Sally-Anne Hayes
Criss-Crossing Paris is both an informative exploration and an artistic interpretation of one of the world’s most romantic cities.
It’s perfect for the travel fanatic, as you can stitch the designs en route!
Feminist Cross-Stitch: 40 Bold and Fierce Patterns
by Stephanie Rohr
Cross Stitch is the perfect way to process your frustrations, and if you feel like smashing the patriarchy, then get Steph’s book and channel that emotion into your craft.
With 40 designs in a range of styles, from serious to snarky, this is a great book for the riot grrl in your world!
If you want something a touch more mellow, Steph’s new book – Self-Care Cross Stitch comes out in 2023!
Check out our YouTube review here.
Storyland Cross Stitch
Sophie Simpson, aka WhatDelilahDid, is the queen of modern nostalgia with her elegantly simple cross stitch designs.
Her first book is a collection of silhouettes that are ideal complements to your literary corner.
I Got 99 Problems But A Stitch Ain’t One
For a quick bit of cross stitch fun with a gangster flavour, you should try Floss & Mischief’s addition to the playlist.
It hits the right combination of home decor and hip-hop – a good call if you’re not quite ready for the subversive stuff!
Manga Cross Stitch
A great cross stitch book teaches you how to stitch and how to appreciate the subject of the designs, and Manga Cross Stitch is a great book!
Learn how to stitch, and discover the art of manga at the same time! What’s not to love?
Twisted Stitches
by Phil Davison
Cross stitch needn’t be confined to the hoop and in Twisted Stitches, Phil’s darkly delicious designs are applied to homewares, accessories and clothing.
The patterns lean towards the more experienced stitcher, but there’s a lot of fun to be had – here’s hoping your threads don’t get as twisted as Phil’s designs!
Feminist Icon Cross Stitch
by Anna Fleiss and Lauren Mancuso
Continuing our love for cross stitch books that educate as well as entertain, this collection of famous feminists will inspire intelligent thought on feminism and activism.
It’s a necessary part of any self-respecting cross stitcher’s library!
Star Trek Cross Stitch: Explore Strange New Worlds of Crafting
by John Lohman
For the sci-fi fan in your life, this book is perfect! Designed with love by true fans of the show, this collection of charts will suit stitchers of all skill levels.
Stitch long and prosper!
Mini Masterpieces
by Gaby Pico
If anyone is confused about cross stitch as an art form, this collection of 50 classic artworks will give them something to think about!
Gaby Pico has done a great job of miniaturising popular paintings by Van Gogh, Monet, Matisse and more. Time to create your own art gallery!
Creepy Cross Stitch – 25 Spooky Projects to Haunt Your Halls
If you dwell in the darkness, or have a yearning for the gothic lifestyle, then this collection of creepy patterns is perfect!
The Victorian Gothic style of this book permeates throughout the designs and if you’ve got a horror fan in your world, you’ve got craft projects that will keep them out of harm’s way for years!
Cross Stitch for the Earth: 20 Designs To Cherish
by Emma Congdon
Emma Congdon is one of the UK’s best cross stitch designers, and in this ecologically-inspired collection of 20 patterns, you’ll understand why.
Elegant typography, great composition and thoughtful mottos – this book is a must-have for the conscientious cross stitcher!
We also strongly recommend her other two books:
So there you have it! Our favourite cross stitch books, each of which is a great gift for the stitcher in your life.
If they’re just starting out, The Mr X Stitch Guide to Cross Stitch is a great resource for the beginner.
For more confident cross stitchers, we recommend any of Emma Congdon‘s trilogy for their combination of inspiring themes and beautiful design.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this post – please share it with anyone who would appreciate a good quilting book!
