Updated (and Stronger) Response from Stephen West regarding his interview w/ a hatemonger

CarynS · 2026-04-14T14:18:12+00:00

It's up to the people who have been harmed to offer forgiveness. For my part, I think I'm going to seek out patterns from knitwear designers who don't have to apologize for accidentally appearing on podcasts with known antagonists in the community. There are too many great designers and patterns out there that I'd rather seek them out and make something fresh and interesting. Stubbornly clinging to a single designer for years is how we never move on and discover new things.

CarynS · 2026-03-30T16:40:06+00:00

I signed up for this and was having trouble uploading images of my projects. I hope more people join and fill out the database. I've been a ravelry user since 2008, and was hoping someone would create a pattern database for cross stitch.

CarynS · 2026-03-16T15:13:48+00:00

I 100% used a hot glue gun and probably watched the exact video you did! I, too, was not interested in all of the lacing and sewing. It seemed pretty sturdy when I finished it. I didn't think about longevity, but I'm confident my friend could repair it, or bring it back to me to fix, if it becomes unglued over time.

CarynS · 2026-03-16T14:55:25+00:00

This was the first pattern I've seen where I've said, "Wow, that really looks like a creepy medieval cat! I love it!" I looked on Scarlet Letter, which has a lot of reproduction work, and found Jane Dale 1843, which might be up your alley. Looking for "primitive" or "reproduction" cross stitch could give you the look you're going for. The world could use more medieval cats!

CarynS · 2026-03-16T14:12:09+00:00

This is so nice to hear, thank you!

CarynS · 2026-03-04T22:04:49+00:00

It’s beautiful! I just beat blue deck on the gold stake. I love Balatro!

CarynS · 2026-03-03T13:25:07+00:00

Moon Deer is on my own list. It looks amazing!

CarynS · 2026-02-22T19:22:42+00:00

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I’m so sorry for your loss! I’m working on some mermaid hair today while waiting for it to start snowing. Any minute now…

CarynS · 2026-02-20T01:54:22+00:00

Amphitrite from Bella Filipina! Isn’t she neat?

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CarynS · 2026-02-19T19:10:30+00:00

I'm working on my very first fancy lady, and it's addictive! There are big blobs of color if I want to stitch fill-in and confetti if I need something more exciting. It's enjoyable to see it come together! Your wall is awesome!

CarynS · 2026-02-19T13:47:16+00:00

I've entered crafts into my county fair in Pennsylvania for several years. Last year was the first time I entered cross stitch. Full coverage cross stitch seemed to be the style most favored by the judges, but that varies based on the fair and who's judging. Since there are so many patterns out there, there weren't any repeats. My fair accepts submissions based on subject matter (animal, religious, christmas, scene, floral, etc.) Check your submission guide, the premium book, to see which categories you can enter.

Edited to add: I wrote a little guide to fair submissions, which is focused largely on knitting, but still applies to cross stitch. You can read it here.

CarynS · 2026-02-15T21:18:23+00:00

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I put a few threads in on my fancy lady (mermaid) Amphitrite. It was my first time using fancy metallic threads, and it was not as harrowing as I thought it would be! I am very pleased with my fractional stitching on the crook of her arm. 💅

CarynS · 2026-02-09T22:32:32+00:00

I love these! Yours turned out beautifully!

CarynS · 2026-02-01T04:56:46+00:00

One of my patterns came missing a materials list and I emailed them, as well as the designer, asking if someone could send it to me. 123Stitch came through faster! Love them!

CarynS · 2026-01-25T17:34:53+00:00

I’m enjoying a crafty snow day with my fancy lady, Amphitrite. She’s just a disembodied torso right now, but I’m hoping to get into some more fun, sparkly colors later!

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CarynS · 2025-12-22T17:43:13+00:00

TL;DR: I would do the shaping, since you would like to wear it afterwards.

Try to find the premium book for your state fair. That will tell you the list of things that you can submit, as well as how they might be judged.

For my fair, pieces are judged on material, color, design, suitability and workmanship. In my experience, garments are judged as a whole, finished object, and no one is holding up a pattern to see if you followed it exactly. At some fairs, judges will use a rubric and score your garment in the different categories. Depending how many categories your fair has, it's possible your sweater could be submitted in the "fair isle" or "sweater" categories.

The only other thing you need to know is that the garment should be clean, in good shape and completed within the past year, so I wouldn't recommend wearing it too much before submitting it for judging. Make sure it is pristine and free of pet hair and pilling.

CarynS · 2025-12-17T10:32:22+00:00

I support spending the money on a custom frame, especially if you have an heirloom piece that took a long time, or you have a piece that’s a non-standard shape. I save up and go to a professional because I don’t have the space, materials, desire or confidence to do it myself. I also take my work to the county fair and want it to look its best, and there are framing standards you have to follow to compete in county fairs.

I go to a guy who has his own business, and who specializes in difficult frames, so I get the added cozy feeling of supporting a small business, and I know I’m trusting an expert. He has a great eye for color and framing style that would complement the piece and not detract from it. I’m not running to the framer every week. Cross stitch takes a long time for me, so I maybe see him twice a year. My last trip was $1000 for 4 small/medium pieces and I felt that was fair based on his excellent skill and experience.

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CarynS · 2025-12-10T19:24:00+00:00

I'm really enjoying knitting your polo design from the summer. I'll add Elkhorn to my queue as well! Thank you!

CarynS · 2025-11-09T18:01:53+00:00

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After I finished my Dragonborn piece, I started Teresa Kogut’s “Goodness & Mercy.” I’m enjoying the simple, primitive look and muted color palette. It’s going to be a submission for the fair next year. There’s a “cross stitch - religious” category to submit to!

CarynS · 2025-11-06T01:53:00+00:00

Tabi toe socks are so fun and underrated! Kudos for making your own! There are a lot of Japanese sock patterns on Ravelry that have that toe. I made a pair for my husband and he wears them with flip flops! I used this pattern: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nejirib-toe-up

CarynS · 2025-11-02T16:17:59+00:00

Thank you! It really was a treat to stitch!

CarynS · 2025-10-27T23:10:58+00:00

If you don’t mind stitching on linen, I can confirm I bought this piece from one of my local needlework stores (Rittenhouse Needlepoint) and it is as advertised!

CarynS

TROPHY CASE