The cross stitch community often seeks patterns that are both creative and accessible, and one designer, Cathy Habermann of Hands On Design, has established a notable tradition of offering free designs to stitchers. Based on information from official and verified third-party sources, this article details the complimentary patterns available from Hands On Design, focusing on their annual anniversary offerings and series-based designs. The available data primarily concerns cross stitch patterns, their specifications, and how to access them, rather than the broader categories of free samples, product trials, or brand freebies typically associated with consumer goods like beauty, baby care, or pet products. The information is derived from the designer's official shop page, a detailed blog review, and product descriptions from a retail partner.
Hands On Design, created by needlework designer Cathy Habermann, is known for its variety of cross stitch patterns. While the official shop page serves as the primary hub for product listings, a significant source of free patterns is highlighted in a blog post from Pleasant Home Co. This blog details a tradition started in 2013 where Cathy Habermann creates and releases small gift or token cross stitch designs to celebrate her wedding anniversary. These designs are offered as complimentary downloads and are hosted on her blog. The blog author notes that the designs can be found by searching the term "Anniversary" on Cathy Habermann's blog. All photos in the blog post are credited to Cathy and used with permission, indicating a direct connection to the designer's own materials.
The specific free anniversary designs mentioned in the blog post include several favorites, though the source does not list their individual names. Instead, it provides a direct link to the designer's blog and a method for locating the patterns. This approach positions the freebies as a regular, annual event rather than a one-time promotion, which is a key insight for stitchers looking for recurring opportunities to access no-cost designs. The blog post is a third-party source, but it explicitly references and links to the designer's own blog, lending it a degree of reliability as a guide to the available resources.
Beyond the anniversary freebies, the source data includes extensive descriptions of various paid and free patterns from Hands On Design, often sold through retail partners like 123stitch.com. These descriptions provide technical details that help stitchers understand what to expect from the designs, even if they are not free. For instance, a pattern titled "Give Thanks and look forward to A New Day" is described as being stitched on 32-count beige linen with Gentle Art Sampler floss. Another design, a summertime beach scene, features a tropical beach setup with lounge chairs and palm trees. The models were stitched on 32-count linen using DMC floss, with a stitch count of 69 by 67 and a finished size of approximately 4.31 inches by 4.19 inches.
Other patterns in the data showcase a range of themes and complexities. A "Block Party" pincushion design is based on a four-letter word and is intended as a holiday-themed block. The model for this was stitched on 28-count Artichoke linen by Wichelt Imports. A licensed design from Lily & Val, LLC, titled "Land of the Free," is inspired by original artwork featuring words and a flag, stitched on 32-count Antique White Belfast linen with DMC floss. "Let's Talk Winter" is inspired by chalkboard signs and features Christmas and holiday-themed words and phrases like "Warm Winter Wishes" and "Snow Day." The models for this design were stitched over two threads on 32-count linen with DMC floss.
A design featuring owls, referred to as a "Parliament," shows two finishing options: framed and as stand-ups. The models were stitched on 32-count Antique White Belfast linen (framed) and 20-count Lambswool linen (stand-ups) using DMC floss. The stitch count for all four owls is 102 by 100, and for a single owl, it is 48 by 50. The finished sizes are 6.38 inches by 6.25 inches for the group and 4.8 inches by 5 inches for the single owl.
The data also references a multi-part series. One is a nine-part series with a finishing kit sold separately (Item #HD-WCFK). A specific design from this series, shown with a "M is For Meow" pinset from Just Another Button Company, is stitched on 32-count Straw linen with Classic Colorworks floss. Its stitch count is 40 by 49, and its design size is 3 inches by 4 inches. Another is a three-part "Mini Series" celebrating crafters, featuring the phrase "I was stitching when stitching wasn't cool." A "Chalk Squared" series, in collaboration with Just Another Button Company, includes a design titled "Moment in Chalk" (Item #16-1436), which provides the outline and border for the series. The model for this was stitched on 32-count Gunmetal linen with Gentle Art Sampler threads and DMC floss, with a stitch count of 60 by 60 and a finished size of 4 inches by 4 inches.
Additionally, a design featuring winter homes, updated to include three holiday homes, can be stitched as ornaments. The models were stitched on 32-count linen using Gentle Arts threads. Another design, part of a series with a thread pack sold separately, features 6 white buttons and was stitched on 32-count Aspen linen with Sulky 12 Wt. Cotton Petites. Its stitch count is 85 by 97, and its finished size is 6 inches by 7 inches.
For stitchers interested in accessing free patterns, the primary actionable information is the annual anniversary tradition. To find these free designs, one must visit Cathy Habermann's blog and search for the term "Anniversary." The Pleasant Home Co. blog post serves as a guide and reminder of this ongoing offer. For paid patterns, the official Hands On Design website and retailers like 123stitch.com are the points of purchase. The data does not specify any eligibility requirements, geographic restrictions, or expiration dates for the free anniversary patterns beyond their annual nature. It also does not mention any other types of free samples, trials, or brand freebies outside the cross stitch pattern category. The information is focused on design specifications and access methods for these specific needlework patterns.
Conclusion
The available information confirms that Cathy Habermann of Hands On Design maintains a tradition of releasing complimentary cross stitch patterns annually to celebrate her wedding anniversary. These free designs are hosted on her blog and can be located by searching for "Anniversary." Beyond these freebies, Hands On Design offers a wide array of paid patterns across various themes and series, with detailed technical specifications available from official retail partners. The primary resource for accessing both free and paid designs is the designer's blog and official shop page. For stitchers seeking cost-free projects, the anniversary tradition represents a reliable, recurring opportunity to add new designs to their collection without purchase.