Every year the list of stitch along projects grows. I love watching these projects take shape and seeing the color choices and customizations everyone adds to their own stitching.
In no particular order, here are the cross stitch SALs in 2021…
Linen & Threads 2021 SAL (Free)
Information about the pattern and downloads available at https://linenandthreads.com/mystery-sampler-stitch-a-long (previous year’s SAL patterns are also still available for download)
Wonders of the Solar System Stitchalong from Climbing Goat Designs ($25.38)
Another space themed stitchalong this year from Climbing Goat Designs, including realistic depictions of all the planets in the Solar System, along with some other Solar System bodies. This SAL runs from January to November 2021. Available on Etsy.
Seasonal Skies SAL from Ship’s Manor ($14.00)
There are lots of beautiful extras you can get for this SAL, custom fabric, threads, buttons, and needle minders. The details about the pattern and optional add-ons can be found at http://www.shipsmanor.com/seasonal-skies-sal-2021/
Aster’s Amazing Adventure Mystery SAL from Fuzzy Fox Designs (£21.40)
This fun mystery SAL will start in mid-March 2021. There are 26 groups of pattern pieces that will be released over 28 weeks. Custom dyed fabric available separately from CraftyLeeny. Full project details and pattern ordering information available on Etsy.
Galdra Stafir Magical’s SALs (Free)
There are so many stitchalongs from Galdra every year and they’ll all amazing and beautiful to work on. I hope you’ll take a minute to join a few. You’ll find the details for all of the Magical SALs on the blog at https://magicalquilts.blogspot.com/
This year’s projects include:
– NFSAL 2021
– Friday Freebie
– Ornament of the Month 2021
– Temperature SAL 2021
– Blackwork SAL 2021: Shades of Blackwork
– Sampler SAL
Peppermint Purple Blackwork SAL (Free)
A new section released each week. Lots of fun things happening with layouts and colors in this one. Thread packs are optionally available. Information about the pattern and how to join at https://peppermintpurple.com/pages/2021sal
Mandala Millefiori SAL from Peppermint Purple ($13.61)
This is a six part stitchalong running January through March. You’ll find the pattern details and other information at https://peppermintpurple.com/products/mandala-millefiori-stitch-a-long
Broadway Themed SAL from Taylor and Cromwell ($13.61)
This stitch along is inspired by Broadway musicals and begins February 3rd. As a fun bonus, the listing mentions that anyone who finishes the project by June 9th 2021 (sharing a picture) will have their name added to a hat and one lucky winner will receive a special prize box. Get the details and ordering info on Etsy.
Nerdstitchalong Facebook Group (Free)
You can learn more and join in the fun on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/nerdstitchalong/
A Cross-Stitcher’s Perspective from Hassle Free Crafts ($20)
This SAL will begin March 5 with weekly emails sent out every Friday with more of the pattern, until April 9. Information and sign up details at https://www.hasslefreecrafts.com/stitchalongs/p/2021-stitch-a-long
Sarky & Sweet SAL from Joydri Designs (£7.50)
You can choose if you want to stitch the sarcastic quotes or the sweet quotes, or both. Information on the pattern release and sign up is available at https://jodyridesigns.com/products/sarky-sweet-sal-2021
Stitchonomy Year of SALs
Stitchonomy upped the SAL game and moved their seasonal stitchalongs to a website dedicated to just the SALs, where you can sign up to receive all the details for current and upcoming projects http://stitch-along.com/
Lakeside Needlecraft SALs
Themes for the 2021 stitchalongs haven’t been announced yet, but there will definitely be projects to join in on. Keep an eye out on Facebook and on the Lakeside Needlecraft website for announcements.
Modern Folk Embroidery Annual SAL (£18.00)
You’ll find the pattern purchase and design information for what’s sure to be another amazing project at Modern Folk Embroidery https://www.modernfolkembroidery.com/product/2021-sal-subscription-pdf/
Made to Create SAL from Caterpillar Cross Stitch (£15.50)
A six part mystery stitchalong with a handmade arts and crafts theme. You can pick up the pattern and/or optional supply kits (and adorable matching needle minder) on the website at https://www.caterpillarcrossstitch.com/collections/cross-stitch-a-longs/products/made-to-create-cross-stitch-a-long-sal
There is no Planet B stitchalong from Cloudsfactory ($19.99)
We only get one planet and we really need to take better care of it. This year-long SAL will feature 24 endangered species from all around the world. You can get all the details and/or optional supply kits on the website at https://cloudsfactory.net/there-is-no-planet-b-yearly-stitch-a-long-and-kit.html
Lady Scandinavian Gnome SAL from Jodyri Designs (£12.50)
You might have seen the adorable gnomes from last year’s Scandinavian Gnome SAL, so you can think of this year’s Lady Scandinavian Gnome set as companion piece (sure to be just as adorable) You can sign up for this one at https://jodyridesigns.com/products/lady-scandavian-gnome-sal
Animal Crossing SAL from Cunning Cross Stitch (Free)
Animal Crossing was pretty popular in 2020, this SAL brings those characters to your stitchy world. You can pick up the frame and find more details at http://cunningcrossstitch.co.uk/animal-crossing-sal/
Magic Kingdom SAL from Cunning Cross Stitch (Free)
As you probably guessed from the title, this one is Disney themed. There’s no frame for this one, but you can find the details and a few little previews of the design at http://cunningcrossstitch.co.uk/magic-kingdom-sal/
Supernatural SAL from CreepyDomestic ($20.00)
Yes, that means the TV show. If you’re feeling sad that the journey has ended for the Supernatural family, no worries, we’ll carry on in this sampler style stitchalong that will include text quotes and images. Details and pattern ordering available via Etsy.
Beetlejuice SAL from VillinesDesigns ($15.00)
It’s showtime with some of the most memorable scenes from the hit 1988 movie, this SAL includes 10 mystery rooms. Things have already started, but there’s plenty of time to join in the fun. Details and pattern available on Etsy.
Grim Grinning Ghosts SAL (Free)
A free Haunted Mansion themed stitchalong in the group on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/grimgrinningghostssal/
The Haunting of SAL from SomethingElfDesigns ($15.00)
This mystery SAL was inspired by The Haunting of Bly Manor (on Netflix, if you haven’t seen it yet, also check out The Haunting of Hill House.) Pattern details and ordering info available on Etsy.
Dark Queen of the Seas Mystery SAL from Autumn Lane Stitchery ($20.00)
Mermaids and mystery stitching is a good way to spend a weekend. There’s even a custom fabric you can get that was designed for the stitchalong. Get the details about the fabric, supplies, and pattern ordering on Etsy.
Zodiac Signs from Tiny Modernist ($33.00)
Since it’s the Zodiac signs, I guess it’s not entirely a mystery what each section is going to be, but this celestial sampler will also have 2 mystery motifs. The frame is shown on the website with the pattern details and it’s really lovely https://www.tinymodernist.com/collections/stitch-a-longs/products/zodiac-signs
Spring Blessings Easter SAL from Tiny Modernist ($19.00)
This 4-Part Series features fresh spring designs, including a bunny, large egg basket, chicks, sheep, flowers, and chalkboard Spring greetings. You’ll find the pattern details and ordering info at https://www.tinymodernist.com/collections/stitch-a-longs/products/spring-blessings
Beside the Sea Mystery SAL from Fourboysandanlgirl (£5.11)
Each Friday in January beginning January 1st, 2021 up until February 15, 2021, a new section of the pattern will be revealed in your email inbox. One section is a little larger than the others so two weeks will be given to complete that part. Details and ordering info available on Etsy.
Read and Stitch with Stitching Book Club
Pairing classic literature with cross stitch projects, book club style. Follow on Facebook to see what books are coming up throughout the year. Check out the cross stitch patterns on Etsy.
Funky Menagerie from Lindy Stitches ($12.00)
This mystery stitch has four parts and will be a sampler style design of animals both real and imagined. You can find all the details at https://www.lindystitches.com/collections/funky-menagerie-2021-stitchalong
Christmas Wreath Club SAL from Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery ($17.95)
This mystery stitch runs through September 17, 2021 and will include finishing instructions at the end for creating an easy to sew pillow. You’ll find all of the pattern details and sign up info at https://www.thefrostedpumpkinstitchery.com/collections/2020-stitchalong/products/christmas-wreath-club-cross-stitch-pattern
Lesley Teare Designs
2021 Tea Cup Stitch Along ($13.99)
Teacups, birds, bees, flowers, a bit of blackwork, everything you’d expect in a Lesley Teare stitchalong. You’ll find the pattern details and ordering info on the Creative Poppy Patterns website https://www.creativepoppypatterns.com/lesley-teare-designs-2021-stitch-along-cross-stitch-xml-256_279-3742.html
Odd Thread Designs 2021 SALs (Free and Paid)
It looks like there are three SALs planned at Odd Threads so far, two with a Bargello them (one free and one $12.00) You can find more information about their stitchalongs for the year at https://odd-thread.com/stitch-alongs/
Adult Themed Blackwork SAL by Urban Stitches (Free)
Over 18 years old only for this Facebook group stitchalong featuring adult themed blackwork designs. Details are at https://www.facebook.com/groups/391222205556538/ (you must answer the sign up questions about your age to join the group)
16-Month Wildlife Stitchalong from Cross Stitch Studio ($12.00)
It’s a 16-month full coverage mystery SAL with a wildlife theme. One page will be released each month in the special Facebook group set up for it – the link for that is only available to those who purchase the SAL package at https://thecrossstitchstudio.com/products/2021-mystery-stitch-along
12 Days of Christmas SAL from Ivory Needle Cross Stitch ($14.99)
A new section revealed each month, so it’s holiday stitching all year and a with a finished piece just in time for 2021 holidays. Details and pattern ordering information available on Etsy.
All The Smalls Stitch Along from Carolyn Manning Designs ($12.00)
This is a six-month SAL where you get four 22w x 22h “smalls” each month. You can stitch the blocks together a a sampler or individually as fobs, ornaments, etc. You’ll find the pattern details at https://www.carolynmanningdesigns.com/stitch-along.php#!/All-The-Smalls-Stitch-Along/p/262218651/category=22531532
A Year in Flowers / Book of Flowers from Tempting Tangles Designs ($15.00)
This set of 12 detailed floral vignettes, in a botanical look, can be stitched individually or together, depending on what sort of finished product you’d like at the end of the year. More information and ordering details can be found at https://temptingtanglesdesigns.com/shop/ols/products/a-year-in-flowersbook-of-flowers
Dreaming Girl Mystery Stitchalong via Creative Poppy Patterns with design by Barbara Ana Designs ($7.99)
Pattern design by Barbara Ana Designs and exclusive to Creative Poppy. Pattern details and information for the five part stitchalong can be found at https://www.creativepoppypatterns.com/barbaraanadreaminggirlsalcrossstitchpattern-xml-296_302-3748.html
A Grand Vierlanden SAL by Quiltify Design (£24.00)
The pattern is a modern take on a traditional Vierlanden sampler and will have 12 parts, one per month throughout 2021. The pattern comes in three variants and you can choose motifs from these to customize and create a personal design for your stitching. You can find the details and pattern ordering information on Etsy.
8-Bit Video Game SAL from PixelPrime (Free)
One video gamed themed stitchy installment per month throughout 2021. You’ll find the frame and pattern download info at https://pixelprimecrossstitch.blogspot.com/p/pixsal2021.html
Botanical Blackwork SAL from The Steady Thread (Free)
49-week long stitchalong with customization options that include flowers in dinky blackwork vases, hexagons (because bees and flowers belong together) good old squares and a traditional formal garden to be fully planted up by the end of the year.in The Steady Thread Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheSteadyThreadBlackworkSAL/
We Believe Stitch-a-long from Notorious Needle ($12.50)
A 10-part mystery SAL filled with messages of peace and change, optimism and hope for the future. You’ll find the details at https://www.notoriousneedle.com/shop/we-believe-cross-stitch-a-long-sal/
Our Year Stitchalong from Historical Sampler Company (£15.00)
The theme this time is the best of each month of the year. You’ll find the details for this one at https://www.historicalsamplercompany.co.uk/shop/ouryear-stitch-a-long/
While you’re there, keep an eye out on the SALs page (https://www.historicalsamplercompany.co.uk/stitch-a-longs/) for the upcoming projects Hello Summer Stitchalong (starting July 15) and a holiday stitchalong later in the year.
Temperature Themed 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.
Stitchnmomma Temperature Block Sampler ($10)
I like this one because it has a block for each month. You’ll find an overview of this design along with the ordering information on her website 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 ($10)
Also quilt inspired, new this year in the Stitchnmomma shop is a Flying Geese temperature chart https://www.stitchnmomma.com/cross-stitch-patterns-misc/flying-geese-temperature-sampler-cross-stitch-pattern
Tom & Lily Creations Temperature Tree of Love ($13.39)
You stitch a little heart shaped leaf on the tree for each day of the year. Pattern available at Etsy.
Stitches in Blue Temperature Sampler (Free)
This one starts in the center and works around in a sort of quilt pattern. You’ll find the instructions and pattern at http://creativeworkshopsfromhetti.blogspot.com/2017/12/happy-new-year-2018-surprise.html (you might need to use Google Translate on the page)
StitchinMommy Temperature Garden Pattern ($10.00)
Cute little rows of flowers bloom throughout the year in this one, each petal with two colors (one for the high temp of the day and one for the low temp of the day.) You’ll find the pattern available on Etsy.
Carolyn Manning Designs Granny’s Daily Temperature StitchAlong ($10.00/PDF or $13/paper copy)
This is a granny square inspired design with different colored squares to represent the daily temperature in your area. Both Fahrenheit and Celsius keys included, along with layout, color and black symbol keys, and all project information. 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
ApricotPolkaDot Temperature Pattern ($7.50)
Done a little differently, each little bit of pattern comes together to look a bit like a quilt block. You’ll find the pattern available on Etsy. This shop also has a really cute heart-shaped temperature cross stitch project pattern.
Weather or Dot from the TheItsyBitsyETSY ($10.00)
You can choose from a large pattern (each dot 37 stitches) or a small pattern (each dot is 12 stitches). Details and patterns available on Etsy.
Temperature Calendar from I Practice Stitchcraft ($2.82)
A simple but fun temperature cross stitch that you can easily add customizations to. Available on Etsy.
Customized Cross Stitch Annual Heatmap from Tanglewear ($20)
Each column of the heatmap is one day, with high temperature at the top to low temperature at the bottom. You can also choose a timeframe that is not a calendar year (maybe a special to you year) for a unique and interesting stitch. Available on Etsy.
Ongoing Cross Stitch SALs That Continue from Year to Year…
Mill Hill Monday SAL
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. I’ll be stitching my Mill Hill kits on Mondays throughout the year and I invite you to join me and share your own project progress in the group. This is free to participate in. Bring your own stitching and join us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/224469291428374/
Kitty and Me Designs Never-Ending Sampler SAL
This is exactly as it sounds, an ongoing stitch-a-long with pretty sampler bits from Pamela Kellogg. You can stitch all the parts or just some of the parts, or mix and match parts in different orders. Since it’s ongoing indefinitely, there’s no exact size or stitch count to give and everyone’s pieces will be totally different. You’ll find all the information at http://kittyandmedesigns.blogspot.com/p/never-ending-sampler-stitch-along.html
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
Ongoing Christmas 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. The big themes for 2020 are The Twelve Days of Christmas, Christmas Carols, Ornaments from Just Cross Stitch Magazine. You’ll find all of the information on themes and signing up at http://christmasorniesal2015.blogspot.com/
WIPocalypse SAL
You make a list of the works-in-progress that you want to make progress on throughout the year and check in each month. There are additional challenges and themes throughout the year to keep everyone motivated and having fun, including special events during the Olympics. You’ll find the information for this year, including the monthly themes and the Olympic Stitching challenge, on Measi’s blog at http://measi.net/measiblog/wipocalypse_main/2021-wipocalypse-info/
Be sure to like, pin, and share this list to enable a stitchy friend.
This Stitch-a-Long List is Ongoing, a Work in Progress All Year…
This is certainly not an exhaustive list of all the stitch-a-longs and groups that are out there in the cross stitching world this year, but it’s a good starting point if you’re looking for an SAL to participate in.
If you know of a stitchalong or are hosting one that I haven’t mentioned, please leave a comment below and point us in the right direction to join and stitch along!
I’ll try to update this post as often as I can to include new SAL discoveries throughout the year. Enjoy and happy stitching 🙂
Connie Gee Designs 2017 Rainbow SAL. Year long sampler with a free monthly chart release. You’ll find all of the information and downloads at 
