Christmas and Winter Cross-Stitch Bookmarks
Learn how to make your own Christmas and winter-themed cross-stitch bookmarks. They make a great gift for the holiday season! Download three free patterns including a fun buffalo check, modern zig-zag and Nordic pattern.
On the Third Day of a Crafty Christmas…
December is a perfect month for cozy hand sewing! These winter cross-stitch bookmarks are a quick project and they make a wonderful gift for the holidays. Cross-stitching has always been a favorite hobby of mine since my mom taught me in high school. This past year I started it up again and am so happy I did.
A few months ago I created Autumn-themed bookmarks with fun tweed, herringbone and buffalo check patterns. I really had a lot of fun stitching them – they were so quick compared to larger cross-stitch projects. My goal is to make a set of bookmarks for each season. Today I’m sharing my winter and holiday-themed bookmarks.
This set of bookmarks feature a nordic sweater pattern in red and white, a festive zig-zag in red, green and white (this one reminds me of a Christmas sweater), and another buffalo check bookmark because I love buffalo check! You can purchase a set of pre-punched bookmarks and use my free patterns to create these bookmarks. These would be a really sweet handmade Christmas gift paired with a new book or gift card to a local bookstore.
Christmas Cross-Stitch Bookmarks
Supplies Needed
- Free Cross Stitch Pattern – Grab the free file by filling out the purple form at the end of this post.
- Aida Cloth or Punched Bookmarks
- I used a bookmark kit by Cross-Stitch Style
- Tapestry Needle size 24 or size 26
- Embroidery Floss
- Scandinavian Sweater Print: White, Red (DMC 498)
- Buffalo Check: Black, Red (DMC 321), Burgundy (DMC 815)
- Holiday Zig Zag: White, Red (DMC 321), Green (DMC 909), Dark Green (890)
- Cardstock in the same colors as the bookmarks – black, white and tan
- Double-Sided Tape
Cross-Stitching the Bookmarks
To get started, print off the free pattern and choose your embroidery floss colors. I used DMC embroidery floss and chose to use similar colors for each bookmark. The pack of bookmarks I used came in white, tan and black so I made sure my floss colors would work well with these paper colors.
Cross-stitch each bookmark. I used a tapestry needle, which was nice because they are little rounded and blunt instead of sharp and pointy – so you won’t accidentally pierce the paper.
Embroidery floss is made from six individual strands of thread. Use two strands to stitch the bookmarks.
Finishing the Bookmarks
Once the bookmarks are stitched, it is time to cover the backs of the paper. This not only looks nice, hiding the back stitches, but finishing the back will also help preserve them from wear and tear.
To cover the backs, simply cut a piece of matching cardstock measuring 1.75″ x 4.25″ and adhere onto the back of each bookmark. I used double-sided tape to attach the cardstock, which works well since it doesn’t cause any warping of the paper like glue can, and it is super strong!
Finish the bookmarks off with ribbon, embroidery floss or some red and white Baker’s twine like I did and they are finished. Ready to use with a great book or gift to someone special!
I had so much fun making these and I’m excited to continue this series of cross-stitch bookmarks for the rest of the seasons this year! I’ll be back tomorrow with another DIY project for Day 4 of a Crafty Christmas!
Check out my other cross-stitched bookmarks!
Unicorn Cross-Stitch Bookmarks
Get the Free Holiday-Themed Cross Stitch Bookmark Patterns!
Fill out the purple form below with your first name and email address! The free file will be sent straight to your inbox! If you have already filled out the form below, don’t worry – you won’t be added to my list twice! This freebie is for personal use only. I hope you enjoy crafting something special. Please let me know if you have any questions :)
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