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A keepsake of the friend you miss

Turn a favorite photo into a cross-stitch pattern you can work on slowly, at your own pace. Add their name, their years and a few words of your own. The preview is free, and nothing is rushed.

Start with a photoGive it as a gift
Round cross-stitch memorial pattern of a golden retriever named Maple, with a wreath, the line Always by our side, and the years 2011 to 2024
A sample made from one of our test photos: 106 × 139 stitches, 27 colors, 7.6 × 9.9 in on 14-count Aida.

What you can add

Their name

Up to 18 letters under the portrait, in a classic, bold or tiny stitched font.

Their years

A second line such as “2011 – 2024” or “Our good boy”.

A few words

An optional short line above the portrait, framed by a wreath, hearts, paws, flowers or a simple border.

Lines other people have chosen

  • Forever in our hearts
  • Always by our side
  • Until we meet again
  • Good boy, always
  • Run free
  • Loved every day

Choosing the photo

Pick the photo that feels most like them — a familiar look, a favorite spot. The pattern needs only a few things:

  • Their face clearly visible, ideally with both eyes
  • Cropped close, so their face fills most of the frame
  • Light that shows their markings (daylight beats flash)

Older or darker photos can still work. The optional Realistic style evens out lighting and removes a busy background before we chart it, and you see the result first. More tips in choosing a photo.

Size and finishing

Round designs look lovely finished in an embroidery hoop, which hangs on the wall as its own frame — choose a hoop an inch or two larger than the finished size in the preview. Square and portrait designs fit a standard picture frame.

The preview shows the finished size on your fabric, how many thread colors and skeins you need, and roughly how many hours it takes — so you can choose something that feels manageable.

Questions

My only photos are old, dark or a little blurry. Will they work?

Often, yes. Crop in close so their face fills the frame — that gives the pattern the most detail. The optional Realistic style can even out lighting and remove a cluttered background before we chart it. The preview shows you the result before you decide anything.

Can I make one for a friend who lost their pet?

Yes. If you have a photo you're allowed to use, you can make the pattern yourself and send it, or stitch it for them. If you'd rather they choose the photo, a gift card lets them make it whenever they're ready — it never expires.

How long does a memorial piece take to stitch?

It depends on the size. A small round piece around 60 stitches across is often a few weekends; a framed 100-stitch portrait is more like 50 to 100 hours. The preview shows an estimate for the size you choose.

Can I change the words later?

Yes. For 30 days after buying you can change the name, dates, line, size, colors or style for free and download the new version.

Whenever you're ready. The free preview is made on your own device — your photo is only uploaded if you use an AI style or buy.

Start with a photo