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Independent craft blog since 2007

DMC American Camping Embroidery Pattern – A Nostalgic Outdoor Stitch for Summer Lovers

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If you’re someone who loves the idea of campfires, clear skies, and vintage road trips, the DMC American Camping Embroidery Pattern is a charming little project that captures all those cozy outdoor vibes in one neat hoop.

This free embroidery design features a retro camper van surrounded by classic camping icons—think pine trees, a firepit, and a laid-back banner that reads “Camping.” It feels like a nod to old-school summer holidays, and the design has just enough detail to keep things interesting without becoming overwhelming.

As always, DMC includes a full downloadable PDF with a color key for DMC floss, stitch guides, and a clear outline of what goes where. It’s beginner-friendly, using basic stitches like backstitch, satin stitch, and French knots, but still fun for experienced stitchers who want a low-pressure project with a lot of personality.

The scale of the design makes it perfect for finishing in a weekend—or even a single afternoon if you’re feeling focused. You could frame it in a hoop, turn it into a patch on a canvas tote, or stitch it onto a travel journal cover for a handmade adventure theme.

It also makes a great DIY gift idea for outdoorsy friends, caravan owners, or anyone who loves that rustic road trip aesthetic. And because it’s not overly seasonal, it’s a lovely piece to display year-round in a cabin, camper, or even your home craft space.

The DMC American Camping Pattern is a fun, nostalgic project that’s equal parts playful and peaceful. Whether you’re reminiscing about camping trips past or just love the aesthetic of vintage outdoor life, this free embroidery pattern is a small but satisfying escape—no tent required.

 

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Crow Cross Stitch Patterns

In all my years writing about cross stitch, I don’t think I’ve ever had a post dedicated to crow cross stitch patterns. That’s a shame, because crows are cool, and they’re a great motif to use in the fall that has a bit of a Halloween/spooky vibe without necessarily being all pumpkins and ghosts (though we have some of that, too). 

Actually, these little crow cross stitch patterns from LaSelva Design could be up in the house year round, especially if you’ve made friends with crows or are trying to cultivate your own murder. This set of four patterns is each worked in four colors, and they’re shown in 3-inch hoops, though they vary in size a little bit. 

This Art Nouveau crow from Needle Lot Designs is stunning and reminds me a bit of a tarot card. It would be the perfect thing to stitch for a witchy friend. It measures 74 by 98 stitches, which comes out to 5.25 by 7 inches or 13.4 by 17.8 cm on 14 count fabric. It uses 14 colors and has no backstitching. 

Or keep it monochrome with PandoraXstitch‘s cross cross stitch pattern. I love how this one looks like a woodcut, and it shows you that even stitching in a single color you can make something really interesting. This design is 283 by 284 stitches, which is a little more than 20 inches or 51.5 cm not quite square on 14 count fabric. The pattern includes measurements for other counts if you want to make it a different size. 

The Book of Lost Keys design from Haunted Frames feels a little more Halloween, but it doesn’t have to be. It tells the story of a mama crow whose baby is locked in a cage, but the mama has the key. The design is shown worked on 18 count fabric and measures 109 by 79 stitches. That’s 6.1 by 4.4 inches, or about 15.5 by 11 cm. It uses four colors of regular floss as well as gold metallic floss. 

Speaking of more Halloween, I love this spooky cake stand featuring a crow and other characters from Ulysses Blue Stitching. You’ll find a creepy cake, eyeball in a jar, owl, ghosts and more haunting this house. It uses nine colors and measure 109 by 143 stitches. That’s 7.4 by 9.8 inches or 19.78 by 25.94 cm on 14 count fabric. 

I also like this kind of folk art crow (or raven as the pattern calls it) sitting on a pumpkin from MIYAstitch. This one measures a manageable 71 by 81 stitches and uses seven colors. On 14 count fabric it comes out to a little more than 5 by almost 6 inches (or 13 by 15 cm). 

Another pumpkin and crow pattern (this time with a witch hat) comes from My Lovely Embroidery MB. This dare I say cute design uses seven colors as well ans is 81 by 80 stitches. That measures 5.79 by 5.71 inches, or 14.7 by 14.51 cm, on 14 count fabric. This one uses full and three-quarter stitches as well as French knots.