Cross stitch trends are always changing, and the history of cross stitch shows us this. But over the last 12 months in particular, we’ve seen big shifts in the cross stitch being sold online and in stores, from threads in spools, the closure of US stores, and shifting kit trends.
So we’ve taken over 10,000 top cross stitch patterns sold on Etsy over the last 12 months and analysed the findings, to give a good example of cross stitch patterns. This isn’t a perfect barometer, as Etsy does favor modern patterns and has strict licensing models.
Methodology
Before we dig into the data, the boring stuff!
The data was pulled from Etsy best-sellers with the keyword “cross stitch pattern”, excluding any listings with multi-pattern packs or unrelated to cross stitch patterns.
Patterns were reviewed for stitch count, colours, style, subject, and notable features. Observations were compared to previous years to spot shifts in popularity.
OK, with that out of the way, let’s start looking at trends!
Fewer Colors Than Before
The first major cross stitch trends we spotted was the reduction in colors. Whilst there are some big patterns out there with lots of colors, the best-selling patterns tend to have fewer amount of colors. This is a trend we’ve seen over the last 4 years (following the cross stitch COVID-19 boom of 2021), but we’re now seeing the lowest color count we’ve recorded, with a 52% reduction in colors over the last ten years.
There could be a few reasons for this, from smaller patterns and partial coverage being trends (more on that below) to cost savings, more modern and simplistic designs, to a lower skill ceiling of pattern creation, thanks in part to easily accessible cross stitch pattern making software.
Decline in Pattern Mill Dominance
One of the big questions about this report is that we used Etsy. Whilst its a fantastic space for indendant cross stitch designers, it also suffers from some serious issues, including copyright infringement. However, we have to hand it to the cross stitchers out there buying patterns from Etsy, as for the first time, the volume of pattern mills, AI patterns, and copyrighted patterns in the top 10,000 patterns has dropped for the first time ever.
Not only this, but they’ve MASSIVELY dropped, when the volume of these problematic patterns on Etsy has only continued to rise. It appears that more stitchers are becoming aware of how to buy a quality cross stitch pattern, and it’s having a real impact!
This means that we’re seeing more independent cross stitch designers being able to sell their patterns, and seeing cross stitchers getting better quality patterns. We’ve seen a real reduction in queries about designers on the Reddit /r/CrossStitch/ (although this is conjecture, and not part of this report)
Partial Coverage is the New Normal
Next we started looking into the types of patterns that are being sold, and whilst cross stitch patterns evolve, the change in the last year is quite major; we’re moving away from full coverage designs like kits you would find in brick-and-mortor stores, and samplers, and over to partial coverage designs without words.
We’re used to seeing roughly 50% full coverage patterns, but this year we’ve dropped to only 23% of patterns being full coverage.
What is interesting is that this is typically something we’d see with modern patterns, but now is seen in traditional and realism patterns too. We’re clearly seeing better cross stitch patterns out there!
Rise of Travel Poster-Style Modern Pieces
Travel posters never seem to go away, but for a time, there were fewer and fewer, but they’re back, and back with a bang! These bold, graphic designs inspired by vintage travel posters come in a variety of looks, from partial coverage, minimalist backgrounds, and fewer advanced stitches, but notably, this year, we see lots of designs that don’t feature locations.
Both Christmas and Halloween are common occurrences in this style this year.
Disappearance of Skulls
Talking of Halloween, it’s always a common theme, taking up about 15% of all patterns year on year. There is no major shift in Halloween patterns this year (17% in 2025), but those patterns have definitely shifted away from skulls, a major theme in 2023 and 2024, and onto ghosts!
In fact, there were only 4 skull patterns in the whole selection of patterns, a 97% drop year on year!
Less Complexity in Stitching Techniques
Other than the hell that is French Knots, I personally don’t mind an advanced stitch, be that backstitch, fractionals, or other elements like beads. But this year we’ve seen a major drop in those stitches, with a staggering 99% of works being only full cross stitches; by far the highest volume we’ve seen since starting to take records.
Notably, all of the cross stitch patterns with backstitching were from 2024 or before.
Whilst there are some great features to this, like a move towards accessibility and ease for a broader audience, skills are likely being lost as more designers shun these advanced techniques.
Miniature Patterns Gaining Popularity
Finally, we have miniature cross stitch patterns. We spoke about this last week in more detail, but small cross stitch designs have always been a thing, but they’ve mostly been reduced to only dollhouse designs, or for awards, like our own mini pirate samplers. But this year we’ve seen these mini patterns rocket up into the top seller positions.
A smaller stitch means a shorter stitching commitment, appealing to busy stitchers, or maybe it’s simply down to shifting habits; not everyone wants to stitch a major 100-hour piece!
What This Means for Cross Stitch Designers & Stitchers
So what does all of this mean for cross stitchers and cross stitch designers?
Well, only good things!
Designers are getting a better focus, meaning patterns are getting a larger audience, and AI patterns are being fought with savvy cross stitchers.
But it also means that designers are tending to focus on easier, smaller, and less advanced cross stitch projects. This might be up your street, but for many, they will find looking for those larger, traditional, and more complicated cross stitch projects becoming a niche search.
What cross stitch trends have you noticed over the last year in terms of cross stitch patterns? Have you seen an increase in designs you like, or have you found it harder to find?
Happy stitching,
Lord Libidan