Free Cross-Stitch Patterns From Notforgotten Farm A Comprehensive Guide To Crafting Freebies

The internet has revolutionized access to creative resources, with many designers generously sharing their work with crafting communities. Among these generous contributors is Notforgotten Farm, a source offering free cross-stitch patterns to enthusiasts. This article examines the free cross-stitch patterns available from Notforgotten Farm, detailing how to access them, the usage rights and restrictions, and creative project ideas based on the designs provided.

About Notforgotten Farm and Their Freebie Philosophy

Notforgotten Farm, operated by designer Lori Brechin, has established a reputation for sharing cross-stitch patterns with the crafting community at no cost. The creator demonstrates a clear philosophy of generosity, expressing gratitude to followers through free pattern offerings. The blog posts and social media content from Notforgotten Farm consistently convey an appreciation for the community's support and a desire to give back through accessible creative resources.

The free patterns are presented as gifts to followers, with the creator noting that they are offered "for the kindness that you all show." This approach positions the patterns not merely as commercial products but as tokens of appreciation within a crafting community. The accessibility of these patterns—available simply by clicking on images, saving to computer, and printing—removes financial barriers that might prevent interested individuals from engaging with the designs.

Available Free Patterns from Notforgotten Farm

"Summer's End" Pattern

One of the notable free patterns offered by Notforgotten Farm is titled "Summer's End," copyrighted to Lori Brechin in 2015. This pattern is presented with a visual representation that shows the blocks against a darker background, though it's important to note that the entire background is not stitched or filled in the actual pattern. The design features color photos and charts that can be accessed by clicking on the images to make them larger before saving and printing.

The "Summer's End" pattern exemplifies the creator's approach to freebies, with the designer explicitly stating the desire to see finished projects created from the pattern. This pattern, like others from Notforgotten Farm, comes with specific usage guidelines that balance the creator's generosity with protection of their intellectual property.

"Little Sam Snowman" Pattern

Another offering from Notforgotten Farm is the "Little Sam Snowman" pattern, which appears to be a seasonal design. This pattern includes multiple components: a color chart, a symbol chart, and a symbol/floss legend with all necessary details. As with other patterns, users can access these elements by clicking on the photos, saving them to their computer, and printing them out.

The blog post about this pattern includes images of the finished snowman project, which was created as a flat-stuffed pillow backed with old cotton fabric. The designer also experimented with displaying the snowman in a glass jar, adding decorative elements like a twisty garland of shiny silver stars inside the jar and jingle bells tied with grey silk ribbon around the jar topper. These creative variations demonstrate different approaches to finishing the pattern and serve as inspiration for other crafters.

Other Pattern Offerings

While the specific details of additional patterns are not fully outlined in the provided source material, references suggest that Notforgotten Farm has offered multiple free cross-stitch patterns over time. The Pinterest link and other blog references indicate a consistent practice of sharing designs with the crafting community. Some patterns appear to have specific stitch counts and finished sizes, such as one pattern mentioned with a stitch count of 35 x 35, model stitched on 30ct linen, with a finished pincushion size of 2 3/4" x 2 3/4 inches.

How to Access and Use the Patterns

Downloading and Printing Process

The process for accessing Notforgotten Farm's free patterns is straightforward and designed for maximum accessibility:

1. Navigate to the blog post or social media sharing the desired pattern
2. Click on the pattern images to enlarge them
3. Save the enlarged images to your computer
4. Print the saved images for use in stitching

This process requires no special software or registration, making the patterns immediately available to anyone with internet access and a printer. The designer specifically instructs users to "click on the photos to make them bigger, then save them to your computer and print them out," indicating that the patterns are distributed as image files rather than specialized pattern formats.

Pattern Components

The patterns typically include multiple elements:

• Color charts: Showing the finished design in color
• Symbol charts: Graphical representations indicating where to place each stitch
• Symbol/floss legends: Explaining what each symbol represents and corresponding thread colors

For the "Little Sam Snowman" pattern, all three components are explicitly mentioned, suggesting this is standard for Notforgotten Farm's offerings. The combination of visual and symbolic references ensures that stitchers of different experience levels can successfully complete the designs.

Project Completion Guidance

Notforgotten Farm not only provides patterns but also offers guidance on completing the projects. The designer encourages creativity in finishing, suggesting various approaches such as "unique finishes, or just simply framed or stuffed." This flexibility allows crafters to adapt the designs to their personal preferences and skill levels.

The "Little Sam Snowman" example demonstrates one possible completion method, with the creator turning the stitched design into a flat-stuffed pillow. Other examples might include framing the finished piece, incorporating it into home decor, or using it as part of a seasonal display.

Usage Rights and Restrictions

Permitted Uses

The terms for using Notforgotten Farm's free patterns are clearly outlined in the source material:

• Personal stitching: Patterns may be stitched for personal use
• Gift creation: Finished items may be created as gifts for others
• Limited profit making: The creator explicitly states, "you have my permission to make a small number of finished items from this design for profit"

These permissions reflect a balanced approach that allows crafters flexibility in how they use the designs while preventing commercial exploitation of the patterns themselves.

Restricted Uses

The usage terms also include several important restrictions:

• No mass production: "No mass-stitching" is permitted, indicating that the designs cannot be used for commercial production on a large scale
• No pattern resale: "Photocopying/selling the actual graph/chart" is explicitly prohibited
• Designer credit: Users are asked to "be kind by mentioning Notforgotten Farm as the actual designer" and to "give me credit for design too"

These restrictions protect the designer's intellectual property while still allowing crafters to enjoy and benefit from the free patterns. The emphasis on credit ensures that the designer's authorship remains acknowledged even when finished items are sold or gifted.

Ethical Considerations

The creator frames these usage guidelines in terms of community kindness and fairness rather than legal restrictions. Phrases like "that just wouldn't be nice" and requests to "please be kind" suggest an expectation of mutual respect within the crafting community. This approach aligns with the overall philosophy of sharing and generosity that characterizes Notforgotten Farm's pattern offerings.

Project Ideas and Creative Inspiration

Finishing Techniques

Notforgotten Farm provides examples of various finishing techniques for their designs:

• Framing: Simple framing is mentioned as one option for completing projects
• Stuffed items: The "Little Sam Snowman" was completed as a "flat-stuffed pillow"
• Jar displays: The snowman was creatively displayed inside a glass jar with additional decorative elements
• Seasonal decorations: Given the winter theme of the snowman pattern, seasonal display options are implied

These examples demonstrate how a single design can be adapted to different purposes and aesthetic preferences.

Creative Variations

The designer encourages experimentation with the patterns, suggesting that crafters think about "unique finishes." The "Little Sam Snowman" example shows multiple creative decisions:

• Adding jingle bells on grey silk ribbon as a jar topper
• Creating a twisty garland of shiny silver stars inside the jar
• Positioning the snowman to lean against the jar side and trees
• Using old cotton fabric for the backing

These variations illustrate how stitchers can personalize their projects and create unique interpretations of the original designs.

Material Suggestions

While the source material doesn't provide comprehensive material lists, some suggestions emerge:

• Fabric: The snowman project used "old cotton fabric" for backing
• Thread: Standard embroidery floss is implied by the symbol/floss legend
• Embellishments: Jingle bells, silk ribbon, and silver stars were used as decorative elements
• Display: Glass jars were used as creative display options

These material suggestions provide starting points for crafters looking to replicate or adapt the project examples.

Community Engagement and Sharing

Social Media Interaction

Notforgotten Farm encourages community interaction through social media:

• Instagram: The designer invites finished projects to be shared with the tag @notforgottenfarm
• Blog comments: The original "Summer's End" post expresses a desire to "see your finishes of this design"

These invitations create opportunities for crafters to showcase their work and connect with others who have used the same patterns.

Community Guidelines

The sharing of finished projects comes with implicit guidelines:

• Credit the designer: Tagging or mentioning Notforgotten Farm when sharing projects
• Respect usage terms: Adhering to the permitted and restricted uses outlined by the creator
• Positive engagement: The overall tone suggests a supportive and appreciative community environment

These guidelines help maintain a respectful and constructive community around the shared patterns.

Feedback and Inspiration

The designer's expressed desire to see finished projects serves multiple purposes:

• It provides the creator with feedback on how their designs are being used
• It offers inspiration to other crafters viewing the projects
• It strengthens the connection between the designer and the crafting community

This feedback loop benefits both the creator and the users, fostering an environment of continuous improvement and mutual inspiration.

Conclusion

Notforgotten Farm offers a valuable resource for cross-stitch enthusiasts through their free pattern collection. These designs, including "Summer's End" and "Little Sam Snowman," demonstrate the creator's generosity and commitment to the crafting community. The straightforward access process—click, save, print—makes these patterns immediately available to anyone interested in trying them.

The usage terms balance accessibility with protection of the designer's intellectual property, permitting personal use, gift creation, and limited profit making while prohibiting mass production and pattern resale. This approach allows crafters to benefit from the designs while respecting the creator's rights.

Creative finishing options and community engagement opportunities further enhance the value of these free patterns. Whether framed, stuffed, or displayed in innovative ways like the snowman in a jar, the designs offer flexibility for crafters to express their creativity. The invitation to share finished projects on social media creates a community space where inspiration can flow in multiple directions.

For those seeking free, high-quality cross-stitch patterns, Notforgotten Farm represents an excellent resource that combines generous sharing with clear usage guidelines. The patterns not only provide creative enjoyment but also demonstrate how digital resources can foster community and mutual respect among crafters.

Sources

1. Notforgotten Farm: Free Cross-Stitch Patterns
2. Pinterest: Notforgotten Farm Freebies
3. Notforgotten Farm: Little Sam Snowman Pattern
4. Pindiy: Cross-Stitch Patterns