Some People Train for Marathons. I'm Stitching One.

Welcome to The Captain’s Craft Cove — the part of this blog where I confess what I’m making when I’m not planning other people’s vacations.

My friend Emmie found this pattern and told me it must have been created with me in mind. Having looked at it, I can’t argue. It’s called “Magical Cruise” (a counted cross stitch chart by Tilton Crafts), and it’s a giant Mickey head made out of everything I love: a Disney cruise ship sailing out of one ear, a tropical island in the other, a world map and compass rose in the middle, and the whole gang — Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale, and Daisy — standing in front wearing sailor outfits. It even has the suitcases and a passport in it. All that’s missing is a boarding pass with my name on it.

The “Magical Cruise” counted cross stitch chart cover by Tilton Crafts — a Mickey head holding a cruise ship, a tropical island, a compass rose, and the Disney characters in sailor outfits — The destination: “Magical Cruise” by Tilton Crafts, 300 × 300 stitches.

Here’s the part that makes non-stitchers gasp: the chart is 300 stitches by 300 stitches. That’s 90,000 stitches. Ninety thousand. One at a time. I did the math twice because I didn’t believe it the first time either, and no, knowing didn’t stop me.

So where am I? I started with Captain Mickey — of course I did — and he turned out to be pure confetti: hundreds of tiny, scattered single stitches in color after color. After a while I worked my way up into the design, hoping for some easier stitching. It is not easier. But Mickey is nearly finished, and he is worth every stitch. He’s in his white uniform and captain’s hat, hands on his hips like he owns the ship (he does) — with Minnie and one of the chipmunks coming along beside him and the compass rose taking shape over his head. Up top, the cruise ship is sailing out of the left ear, funnel and all, and the suitcases are stacked at the top. She’s stitched on pale pink fabric, riding in a scroll frame wearing pirate-print guards — because even my craft supplies are nautical. I don’t fight it anymore.

The bottom section of Anne Conrad’s “Magical Cruise” cross stitch — Captain Mickey almost finished, Minnie and a chipmunk beside him, the compass rose stitched above — Captain Mickey (almost finished!), Minnie, and a chipmunk, with the compass rose above.

The plan is to post progress here in The Captain’s Craft Cove as she grows — an ear here, a chipmunk there. If I keep a steady pace, she might just be framed and hanging before the Disney Believe’s maiden voyage in December 2027. A girl can dream, and stitch.

More from the craft room

Anne’s counted cross-stitch of Quaker Christmas II by ByGone Stitches, in progress on its frame — My other work in progress — Quaker Christmas II by ByGone Stitches. A whole sampler of Christmas motifs, all stitched in red.

Anne’s finished Halloween cross-stitch, Izzie Dekayen by Silver Creek Samplers — Finished just in time for Halloween — Izzie Dekayen by Silver Creek Samplers: Boos and Spirits, casket aged. And yes, the needle minder is right — it’s too peopley outside.

Kathy’s finished cross-stitch: Jingle Bells, with strings of Christmas lights — Kathy stitches too — her recent finish, Jingle Bells by Pickle Barrel Designs.

Kathy’s cross-stitch work in progress, “Totally Rocking Halloween” by Michaela Learner — a Halloween gnome in a purple witch hat with bats on either side — Kathy’s work in progress — “Totally Rocking Halloween” by Michaela Learner. (Note the haunted-house needle minder. We take spooky season seriously in this house.)

Are you a maker too? Come find me on Facebook or Instagram — I share my stitching progress in both places (and plenty of travel, too), and I’d love to see what you’re working on.

— Anne

Pattern credit: “Magical Cruise” counted cross stitch chart by Tilton Crafts (tiltoncrafts.com).

Some People Train for Marathons. I’m Stitching One.

More from the craft room