Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 42 i Cross Stitch Favourites

With a hand-stitched advent calendar, you can reuse it year after year and, best of all, you can personalise it with sweet treats you know the recipients will love. This gorgeous hanging is worked on 28-count flax cashel linen, in four shades of cotton and one of metallic thread. Find out how to make your advent calendar over on page 18, following our instructions in six simple steps. Stitch Tip Using a full cross stitch to attach a bead, the two threads in the top arm of your stitch should sit either side of the bead to hold it upright How to make up the advent hanging 1 Find the vertical centre of your fabric by folding it in half, then measure 15cm (6in) down from the top edge to…

Stop right here if you’re looking for unique present ideas for your special someone. The famous festive ballet is recreated in cross stitch in this gorgeous collection and is given a cute contemporary twist. All of the much-loved characters are here, from the mouse king to the sugar plum fairy. Quick and easy to whip up, there are plenty of tips to help you and inspiration to motivate you on the pages ahead. Stitch Tip If you usually stitch on 14-count aida and want to make the design bigger, stitch on an 11-count fabric. To make it smaller, stitch on 16-count Bright ideas If you have favourite go-to recipes for the festive season, why not collate them into a Christmas baking book? Spice up the cover with a sugary gingerbread…

Don’t have time to stitch an entire Christmas stocking this year? Our sweets-themed cuff looks just as impressive and is much quicker to stitch. Plot the child’s name out onto graph paper to create a tasty selection of different confectionary then simply slip stitch to the top of a shop-bought festive stocking or sack that’s ready-made – easy! Hang it from the mantelpiece or at the end of the bed using the loop. Stitch Tip For the stocking choose a festive red fabric, like we have done, or go for any offcut that catches your eye in the fabric shop Shopping list Fabric Flair 14-count Fairy Dust Cloud Pink aida measuring 15cm (6in) x desired width from www.sewitall.com Threads Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle Size 24 tapestry…

Christmas is everything to so many people right across the world, however you celebrate the season. And, if you love the story of the Nativity, then these jewel bright cards by Jenny Van De Wiele are just the ticket to send your loving best wishes to all those you hold dear. Featuring traditional Christian greetings such as ‘O Holy Night’, ‘Light of the World’, ‘Peace’ and ‘Joy’, these designs are worked in three strands over two threads of a beautiful dark blue 28-count linen fabric, which makes the rich colours really stand out. With just a few fractionals, backstitch in one strand to give definition, and French knots for the finishing touches, you’ll find each of these cards will take you just a few evenings to stitch up. Once you’ve…

All the best festive elements are brought together to create one feelgood set of cute bear cards that those nearest to you will love to receive, and you will like to stitch. Seasonal colours, including gold metallic thread, are used on crisp white evenweave, and these teddy bears have a festive flavour with some special touches. Create a sparkly border from narrow gold ribbon to complete your card. Stitch Tip For a neat finish, make sure to work from the centre of your chart outwards, keeping an even tension as you stitch How to make up the cards 1 Trim your piece of evenweave fabric, leaving a border of six strands around the stitching, then fray four strands of evenweave all the way around the edge. You can either pull…

What a wonderful way to relax at Christmas. After opening some presents and pulling a few crackers, this happy cat has settled into his favourite comfy chair, still wearing his party hat, and tucks into a tasty mince pie. Spread some of his festive cheer among your family and friends when you stitch this cute character for someone special, or use him to decorate your own home this winter – he’ll remind you to enjoy the little pleasures that the season brings. Work the main design in whole stitches, carefully following the colour changes on the chart, then watch Margaret Sherry’s cheerful cat come to life as you add a good amount of backstitch detail and a few French knots, for texture, following the key carefully for placement. Leaving yourself…

This celebratory sampler will bring the joy of Christmas in more ways than one. You may decide to stitch it in its entirety and frame it to hang on your wall, or you could pick out your favourite elements of the chart and restitch as smaller gifts or cards. The Christmas tree with hearts, a single mitten with a snowflake pattern or the robin in a festive hat will all make jolly greetings to wish a loved one happy Christmas. Stitch Tip Adapt the blue and green shades to use up threads from your stash and create a unique project that’ll be an instant classic Folk art sampler key STITCH COUNT 129 high x 157 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 23.5x28.5cm (9¼x11¼in) EXTRA SKEINS NEEDED 2xB5200 (white),…

There are some parts of the world where a Christmas day spent huddled inside in front of a roaring fire is unthinkable, and even if the snow is likely to fall this year where you live, you can now experience a taste of a festive summer with Cheryl McKinnon’s whimsical set of vibrant designs. The bright and bold colour scheme of these playful patterns has us dreaming of fruity cocktails instead of mulled wine already! These designs look the part in a multi-aperture frame, but the charts could also work independently for a whole host of making-up ideas. Turn one into a card to send to friends and family, or give one as a special framed gift to someone who dreams of a Christmas spent at the beach instead of…

Arich aroma of sweet spices and brandy sauce, a sprig of holly on top, a blue flame licking the sides… all eyes widen as Christmas pudding is brought to the table. If the pud is your favourite part of Christmas dinner and you use a family recipe that’s been passed down through the generations, then celebrate this traditional pudding in stitches using Emma’s festive foodie sampler. A mouthwatering pudding is surrounded by a scrumptious list of ingredients in decorative, typographical lettering that’s created with backstitch and whole stitches, and simple illustration-style motifs decorate the recipe. You could complete one section each evening and your pudding will soon be finished and ready for framing. Why not start your stitching on Stir-up Sunday, the same day you make the pudding? Traditionally, it…

Who says snowmen can’t have friends too? This jolly fellow has scooped up his sweet kitten chum for a cuddle and the two look like they’ll be lifelong pals, whatever the season. There’s so much to enjoy about this sentimental scene by Margaret Sherry, from the cosily wrapped up snowman and his bright red nose, to the little ginger kitten with its characteristically long whiskers on display. Using just a few fractionals alongside whole stitches and backstitch in both one and two strands, this design is accessible for all and provides a fast finish. If you’ve not tried fractionals before, just practise on a piece of scrap fabric before you start and you’ll be a pro in no time. There are 18 wonderful wintry thread shades to play with and…

Enjoy the clean lines and vibrant thread colours of Poppy’s on-trend designs, which recipients are sure to love. They make super-cosy makes and you’ll have fun creating all kinds of gifts, and seasonal cards too. We love the chunky mug hug with the snowflake decoration, stitched on dark blue aida. Why not whip up a quick tag too, to go with your gift. There are lots to choose from in this selection! Stitch Tip Why not tempt a friend to try cross stitch with the big snowflake motif or the little hearts, which use simple whole stitches only? Bright ideas If you want to stitch your favourite Nordic motif onto a different kind of material, why not consider plastic canvas? Perfect for Christmas tree decorations because of the stiffness, choose…

Who doesn’t love a piece of seasonally-themed bling to wear on Christmas day? These delightful gift ideas can be worn with festive jumpers, alongside party hats and with sparkly dresses to celebrate the season. Some motifs are worked on plastic canvas so they really stand out. Once your stitches are complete, invest in some jewellery fixings and keyrings from an online store like Etsy.com to finish your gift. Stitch Tip Make use of any leftover threads from your stash in festive colours as they will work perfectly for these mini motifs Bright ideas You could stitch and gift bauble and Christmas tree earrings or a fairy lights necklace, or perhaps a wristband decorated with cross stitch. Keyring tags make great stocking filler presents and are easy to whip up ahead…