The Sims 4 Cross Stitch Skill Guide
I love when my sims have hobbies that they can monetize and the sims 4 cross stitch skill is a great option for that.
Your sims are able to make really fun cross-stitch hoops with silly designs that you can use to decorate your sim’s homes.
We can’t just decorate with our sim’s painting skill art forever… that gets boring!
What is The Cross Stitch Skill Good For?
There are a few fun benefits to the cross stitch skill starting with creating beautiful things to decorate your home with.
The next benefit is always having something to give other sims as a gift which can help to build relationships!
Finally, you can sell your cross-stitch hoops for money as a nice way to make an income without a full-time job for your sims.
How to Gain The Sims 4 Cross Stitch Skill
To get started with cross-stitching you have two options, you can either purchase a singular hoop (one of three sizes) or buy the Make It Sew Cross-Stitch Kit for ยง150.
You also have the option to purchase cross-stitch hoops at Agnes Crumplebottom’s Garden Shop Booth.
Once you have these items in your possession you can start cross-stitching. You can click on the cross-stitch kit or click on a hoop in your sim’s inventory and you’ll see the same options.
You’ll get to choose a pattern type (you’ll start with only access to simple patterns, but you’ll get more) and then you can choose which pattern to create. Your sim will find a chair and get to work.
There are a few things that cause your sim to stop including their needs, but also, they won’t continue to cross-stitch if they poke themselves in the finger one too many times!
Unfortunately there are no cross-stitch skill books or other ways to gain this skill, so you just need to grind it out.
Ideal Mood for Cross-Stitching
Did you know that the mood you sim is in can actually have an impact on their skill gains? Being in the ideal mood for a skill lets your sims gain skills faster so its smart to know which moods are best for which skills.
For the cross-stitch skill you’ll want your sims to be inspired to get those skill gains. An easy way to get a sim to feel inspired is to take a thoughtful shower!
Best Traits for Gaining The Sims 4 Cross Stitch Skill
The traits that your sims have are so important to their skill gains because they can have a huge impact on their mood:
- Creative: Sims with the creative trait are going to get inspired moodlets more often which can help with skill gains.
- Cheerful: Cheerful is just always a good option when the ideal mood is inspired because it stacks with that moodlet and makes it stronger!
- Muser: You get this trait when your sim starts with a creative aspiration and it gives a boost to skills when your sim is feeling inspired.
You should also consider the lot traits your sim’s home has, here are a few that can be helpful:
- Sunny Aspect: This trait comes with The Sims 4: City Living and will give sims a random moodlet (energized, inspired or happy) each night at 6 pm, so every few days you can get a powerful inspired moodlet.
- Study Spot: This trait comes with The Sims 4: Discover University and gives increases to all skill gains.
How to Cheat The Cross Stitch Skill
If you want a sim to be great at cross-stitch without the effort you can always cheat it instead. You just need to type in stats.set_skill_level skill_crossstitch 5 and you’ll max the skill for your sim. If you want a different level of the skill just change the 5 at the end for a number between 1 and 4.
Levels of the Sims 4 Cross Stitching Skill
There are five levels of the cross stitching skill for your sims to gain. As they work through the skill they’ll get new interactions and abilities they didn’t have before!
| Skill Level | Level Unlocks |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Your sim has their 14-count aida cloth at the ready as they embark into the world of cross-stitch. They can stitch rainbows, shapes and stick figures. Wool can be used to add that extra home-made feel. |
| Level 2 | Your sim is ready to take on some more advanced patterns! Now they have patterns for inspirational or funny phrases that will put you in stitches! |
| Level 3 | 14-count? Who is she? Your sim has backstitched their way to the next level. They can now stitch pumpkins, mushrooms, and berries! Who said you need to go outside to enjoy the beauty of nature? |
| Level 4 | Your sim’s proficiency with a needle has made them a crafting connoisseur. They now have a pattern for foxes, chickens, and a gnome. They can also stitch some delicious foods. |
| Level 5 | Your sim is now a stitching savant! No longer restricted to the confines or a pattern, they can now stitch by references. Watch them take a picture and masterfully stitch it into existence. |
Decorating With Your Cross-Stitch Pieces
There are two ways you can decorate with your sim’s creations! The first way is by finishing one and immediately dragging it onto any surface. Doing this will put it on a stand and have it be a cute piece of decor.
The other option is to click create a wall mounted copy in your sim’s inventory and you’ll be able to drag these onto any walls in your sim’s home and decorate with them in such a cute way!
Selling Your Cross Stitch Pieces
There are two ways you can sell your pieces in Cottage Living, the first is to just sell your items directly from your sim’s inventory.
You have the option to sell your pieces at the garden booth in the town center. This is fun because it makes your sim feel like they are part of the community which is way more fun!
Note: They will only purchase your pieces if you haven’t changed them to be wall-mounted.
Stitching from Reference
The best thing that your sim unlocks is the ability to start stitching from reference at level 5 of the skill. This allows you to take a photo of anything or anyone and stitch your sim’s life into the game.
I like using these as an alternative to family portraits of my sim’s children, it’s a fun way to decorate!
Improving The Skill With DLC
At this point we have so much DLC for The Sims 4 and when you add DLC to skills like this you can make it even better!
Discover University
With The Sims 4: Discover University your sims have gained the option to take skill classes. These are done either through your phone or at these buildings on campus. Your sims will pay 250 simoleons and spend a few hours in class, and will leave with more of the skill than they started with!
Nifty Knitting
With The Sims 4: Nifty Knitting your sims have the option to sell their cross-stitch items on Plopsy. What is Plopsy? Well, think of it like Etsy but in The Sims 4. This allows your sims to go ahead and list any items in their inventory on this site and other sims can purchase it.
When your sim finishes an item it’ll appear in their inventory and you can click on it and choose list on plopsy for 5 simoleons. Then, the listing will change to pink and you’ll just have to wait for a sim to want to purchase it.
You’ll get a notification when a sim wants it and the listing will change from pink to blue. You can hover over that and see the sell price and choose to click it and ship on plopsy and your sim will send it via the mailbox! This is a really fun way to make money without just selling it in your sim’s inventory!
