#CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--CROSS STITCHED HANUKKAH DREIDLES

Every few weeks during the last few months I’ve been showcasing craft projects for glass ball ornaments that are featured in Drop Dead Ornaments, the latest Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery. Today I offer you a cross stitch project perfect for another December holiday—Hanukkah, which this year begins next week.

Hanukkah is the Festival of Lights. It’s an eight-day celebration that commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem in the second century B.C. after the Jewish people, led by Judah Maccabee, rose up against their Syrian oppressors and drove them out of Jerusalem. According to legend, even though there was only enough oil to keep the temple’s menorah burning for one day, the candles continued to burn for eight days.

The cross stitch design features a dreidle border. The dreidle, a four-sided spinning top, is a traditional game played during Hanukkah.

Cross Stitched Happy Hanukkah Dreidles

Finished design: 77w x 44h stitches

Size: 5-1/2” x 3” (stitched on 14-ct. fabric)

Cross stitch with two strands floss.

Backstitch with one strand black (DMC 310/Anchor 403)

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA - CROSS STITCHED CELTIC KNOT

I haven’t featured a cross stitch pattern in some time. Show off your Irish pride with this quick and easy Celtic knot. The finished size when stitched on 14-ct. fabric is approximately 2-3/8” x 2-3/8”. Use two strands of floss to cross stitch.

I chose three shades of blue green embroidery floss, but feel free to choose any three shades of green you like.

Here are some stitching ideas:

Stitch the design on a piece of perforated paper. Trim the paper to one hole from the cross stitch. Glue on a pin back.

Use waste canvas to embellish the collar of a blouse.

Stitch a row of Celtic knots on a pre-made baby bib, guest towel, sachet, bookmark, napkins, or other ready-to-stitch products available from DMC/Charles Craft.