Before we get to the list, I want to touch on a comment I see in the groups and on the blog pretty frequently about “keeping up” with the SALs. Don’t feel like you can’t participate in a Stitchalong based on how fast you Stitch or how much time you have to stitch. Stitch at your own pace, enjoy the pattern, and don’t worry about keeping up with other stitchers.
It’s more about the community feeling and the fun of the pattern than the time in which you stitch the piece. I have SAL patterns (free and paid) from previous years that I haven’t even started the actual stitching on yet, but I enjoyed watching the pattern pieces come together and seeing progress photos in the community. It’s okay to not “keep up” as long as you’re enjoying the journey.
I’ve rounded up as many as I could find, but there’s always more being announced and some really great mid-year starts as well, so keep an eye out. If you see something out there that hasn’t been mentioned, please drop a comment below and let us all know about it.
In no particular order, the cross stitch SALs in 2023…
Tempting Tangles SALs (multiple) ~ paid
Hosting several stitchalongs throughout the year, there’s always something enjoyable and lovely to stitch. You’ll find project sign ups on Etsy and the Tempting Tangles website.
Fox & Rabbit Annual SAL (formerly Linen & Threads) ~ free
The theme for 2023 is Royal Garden, and the popular annual stitchalong can be found at https://shop.foxandrabbit.com/
Modern Folk Embroidery Reaching Skyward SAL ~ paid
The details and order page can be found at https://www.modernfolkembroidery.com/product/2023-SAL-reaching-skyward/
Climbing Goat Designs Wonders of the Hubble Space Telescope SAL ~ paid
If you’re looking for amazing space and astronomy themed stitchalongs, Climbing Goat Designs is the place to go. Full details and ordering available at https://www.climbinggoat.co.uk/products/wonders-of-the-hubble-space-telescope or via Etsy if you prefer
(Check out the stitchalongs page for previous SAL charts and upcoming announcements)
Snarky and Modern Gothic Valentine SAL ~ free
The stitchalong itself is free in the Snarky and Modern Facebook Group, however, if you don’t use Facebook there is an option to purchase the PDFs instead. There’s also a beautiful fabric and threads packet that you can get via Etsy.
Taylor and Cromwell Broadway SAL ~ paid
A smash hit each year, and it sounds like this year’s Broadway themed stitchalong is going to be even bigger and more fun. Details and ordering available via Etsy (and you can check out previous SAL designs in the shop as well)
Nerdstitchalong ~ free
A part of Nerdfelt Insiders, this free Facebook group is just for stitchalongs. The group is currently brainstorming themes for new SALs, so pop by and check it out.
Lakeside Needlecraft Stitchalongs ~ multiple
Hosting a variety of stitchalongs throughout the year, you’ll want to keep an eye on the website and the Facebook page to see what’s next. (Happiness is Handmade SAL starts in January)
The Cross Stitch Studio In the Garden Mystery SAL ~ paid
A full coverage mystery stitchalong that runs January through December. Sign ups are open until the end of February at https://thecrossstitchstudio.com/collections/featured-patterns/products/2023-mystery-stitch-along
Stitchonomy Stitchalongs ~ multiple
Sign up for notifications and keep an eye out at https://stitch-along.com/
(there’s also a Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/StitchonomySAL/)
Shell’s Arty Fartsy Shop SALs ~ multiple
A few hobby themed (coins and stamps, book lovers, etc…) stitchaongs starting up in January available via her Etsy shop, where you’ll also find full patterns from previous stitchalongs.
Tiny Modernist Stitchalongs ~ multiple
Hosting several SALs each year at https://www.tinymodernist.com/collections/stitch-a-longs
Stitching Cabin Co Autumn Walks Band Sampler SAL ~ paid
Already underway, part five comes out in January, but you can still join in via Etsy.
Peppermint Purple Annual SAL ~ free
Details for the free 2023 stitchalong are available at https://peppermintpurple.com/pages/2023-sal-details
The Steady Thread Botanical Blackwork SAL ~ free
Starting info for the 2023 stitchalong is posted at https://thesteadythread.com/pages/sal-2023, you can access the files throughout the year on the website or in the Steady Thread Facebook Group
Pixel Prime Women in Video Games SAL ~ free
The theme for the 2023 stitchalong is celebrating women in video games, patterns posted monthly at https://pixelprimecrossstitch.blogspot.com/p/pixsal2023.html
Caterpillar Cross Stitch SALs ~ multiple
There are several stitchalongs throughout the year at Caterpillar Cross Stitch https://www.caterpillarcrossstitch.com/collections/cross-stitch-a-longs
Cloudsfactory The Postman Always Rings Twice SAL ~ paid
A fun postcard themed stitchalong that runs all year, details and optional supply packages available at https://cloudsfactory.net/postman-always-rings-twice.html
Paint with Stitches Mystery SAL ~ paid
Each month is like assembling a bit more of a puzzle as the images come together. Ordering available via Etsy
Leslie Teare Country Folk SAL ~ paid
This design features 12 delightful scenes portraying Country Folks on their farm and is available via https://www.creativepoppypatterns.com/country-folk-lesley-teare-designs-2023-stitchalong-subscription-xml-667-4039.html
Stitchingly Stichalongs
I haven’t seen the announcement for the next one yet, but I’m hopeful we’ll see something soon at https://stitchingly.vipmembervault.com/
Olivia Lee Studios The Darkness SAL ~ paid
Flashback to that time when Tom Cruise was in a sci-fi fantasy movie. Details and sign up over on Etsy.
Flossy Fox Shop Farming Magic Stitchalong ~ paid
Will feature a colorful, magical farmyard with harvest fairies, dragons, and more. Details and sign up available via Etsy.
Cliffside Stitches SALs ~ free
Two stitchalongs, one cross stitch and one blackwork, both available at https://cliffsidestitches.com/stitch-alongs/
The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery Halloween Wreath SAL ~ paid
Scary, spooky, and cute mystery stitch runs through August 2023. Details and ordering information available at https://www.thefrostedpumpkinstitchery.com/collections/2022-cross-stitch-a-long-sal/products/halloween-wreath-club-downloadable-pdf-cross-stitch-pattern
Satsuma Street SAL
This one doesn’t start until Spring, but you can sign up for the newsletter or keep an eye on the stitchalong page at https://satsumastreet.com/stitch-alongs
Story Stitches SALs ~ multiple
Upcoming themes include Fantasia and Part of your World (The Little Mermaid). Details and announcements available at https://story-stitches.com/
Witch’s Garden Crafts The Dark Goddess Stitchalong ~ paid
Twelve goddesses will be featured in this stitchalong available via Etsy (beautiful hand-dyed fabric also available)
Quaternion Creations Of Dragons and Apples SAL~ paid
The SAL motifs will be released once every two weeks on Wednesdays and every motif will be accompanied with a short mythological story about a dragon or a serpent from the world mythologies. Available via Etsy.
Ongoing Stitchlongs
Mill Hill Mondays
This is a Facebook group for a perpetual stitch-a-long that I created for those of us who are addicted to stitching up Mill Hill kits. Bring your Mill Hill kits and join us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/224469291428374/
TUSAL (aka Totally Useless SAL)
This one has been around for awhile. The idea is to empty your ort jar (your thread scraps) on the New Moon of every month and share a photo of your snippets. It’s free to participate in and it’s a fun way to look back and your stitching progress over the month. You’ll find all of the info on DaffyCat’s Stitching Blog https://itsdaffycat.blogspot.com/2018/01/a-totally-useless-stitch-long.html
WIPocalypse (12th annual SAL)
Time to pull out those WIPs and give them a little extra love. Check out the details and schedule for this year at https://measi.net/2023-wipocalypse-info/
Ongoing Ornament SAL
You might remember from previous year’s posts that this is one of those forever ongoing cross stitch SALs to participate in for folks who want to stitch holiday ornaments throughout the year. You’ll find all of the information on themes and more at http://christmasorniesal2015.blogspot.com/
Temperature Cross Stitch Patterns
The idea for temperature patterns is a little section of stitching for each day of the year and the color of thread is based on your local outdoor temperature on that day, some projects use the average for the day, others use the high and the low for two bits of stitching per day. It’s a fun project and everyone’s result will be different, and each year’s stitch will also vary based on the weather.
I know that not everyone considers these stitchalongs, but I think they still count, some have Facebook groups or Instagram hashtags to follow along with, and they’re fun to work on, so I like to include them here as well. Of course, this is also not a complete list, just a sampling, and there are always more patterns to be discovered out there.
TeenyWeenyXStitch Magic Potions Temperature SAL
Rows of potion bottles and shelves full of fun in this temperature stitchalong available via Etsy
Grandma Be Wildin Neato Bats Temperature Stitch-A-Long
Super fun bats to stitch throughout the year, pattern available via Etsy
Grandma Be Wildin Goth Stitch-A-Long Temperature Cabinet
The cabinet was charted for 2022, but you could easily swap out the year, available via Etsy
Kristi’s Corner Temperature Birds
You can use both the high and low temperature of the day for this stitchalong, available via Etsy
Stitchnmomma Temperature Block Sampler
I like the layout of this one because it has a block for each month. You’ll find an overview of this design along with the ordering information at https://www.stitchnmomma.com/cross-stitch-patterns-misc/temperature-block-sampler and the pattern is also available to order from several needlework shops.
Stitchnmomma Flying Geese Temperature Sampler
Also quilt inspired, available at https://www.stitchnmomma.com/cross-stitch-patterns-misc/flying-geese-temperature-sampler-cross-stitch-pattern
Sprouting Lupine Quaker Basket Temperature Sampler
A cute quaker basket for each month with leaves for the days. Available via Etsy.
Sapphire Mt Handicrafts Temperature Sampler
This project uses 23 brilliant colors of DMC floss and comes with several different climate options so that you can choose the one that best suits you and still enjoy the full spectrum of color. Available via Etsy.
Carolyn Manning Designs Granny’s Daily Temperature Stitch
Granny square inspired design with different colored squares to represent the daily temperature in your area. Both Fahrenheit and Celsius keys included. You’ll find the pattern details and information at https://www.carolynmanningdesigns.com/stitch-along.php#!/Grannys-Daily-Temperature-Stitch-Along-PDF/p/159387145/category=22531532
Climbing Goat Designs Rainbow Temperature Galaxy SAL
A spiral galaxy to stitch throughout the year, available via the Climbing Goat website or Etsy.
Peppermint Purple Bookshelves Temperature Stitch
Includes instuctions on how to create your own key (both F and C) so it is suitable for your region ie, the highs are lows are appr
