Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2018 i The World of Cross Stitching

This month, our issue is bursting with ideas, patterns and inspiration that you won’t be able to resist. Fans of cute stitches will love our adorable panda on page 10 and for those who enjoy getting their teeth stuck into a more complex project, we’ve got a charming railway scene that’s packed with an impressive range of techniques (p20). And what about quick-makes? Our undersea Design Library includes gift ideas that are perfect for beach-loving friends, or top-up your card stash with all-occasion blackwork florals. Plus, we’ve got lots more summery inspiration for you, too. Find Emma Congdon’s busy-bee sampler on page 64, or choose a trio of cacti portraits (p38) as lovely reminders of sunny days. And we’ve got Father’s Day sorted for you this year with seven beginner-friendly…

Inside your kit… To help you sort your threads, here is a list of the colours and number of lengths inside your free kit: Green x1 Blue x2 Pink x2 Very light pink x2 Light pink x2 Dark blue x2 Light blue x1 Yellow x1 Dark pink x2 Brown x1 Black x1 Total: 17 lengths STITCH COUNT 31 high x 33 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 5.5x6cm (2¼x2¼in) This design was stitched using stranded cotton from your coverkit How to… mount an aperture card 1. Measure your card aperture and then cut out your stitching slightly larger than the aperture, with a minimum 1cm (½in) border. 2. Stick double-sided tape around the aperture on the reverse side of the card, as close to the edge as possible.…

FEATHERED FRIENDS Hello there, I stitched this project for one of my friends when she was retiring. We have been friends for a long time and even ran a Brownie pack together. Hence the significance of the owls in this design, as we were Brown Owl and Tawny Owl. She was really pleased with it and plans to hang it up in her new bungalow. Margaret Farrell, Manchester Sue: It’s a lovely idea for a gift Margaret. Your friend must have been really happy to receive something so thoughtfully stitched. Owls seem to be a great favourite among cross stitchers – perhaps we’re drawn to the combination of wise and cute. For more owl designs see our Best Buys round-up on page 26. ‘Tottering Tower Owls’ is from Karen Carter’s collection…

The World of Cross Stitching PICK OF THE MONTH Let’s celebrate! CHART TOPPERS Looking for a birth or wedding announcement with a contemporary vibe? Hunting for gorgeous cross stitch designs that are fresh, modern and easy to stitch? Check out the charts by PineconeMcGee on Etsy* – its designs are definitely a little out of the ordinary. We heart its personalised charts including the bunting-festooned ‘Baby Banner Announcement’, and lush green ‘Tropical Wedding Record’; and simple, yet striking, motifs – among them ‘Heart Swirl’ and ‘Sea Turtle’. As an added bonus, all the patterns are speedy to stitch, so it won’t take you months to finish that handmade baby shower gift or wedding record – but it’ll look like it did! SPEEDY STITCHES Fire up your imagination and let your…

Add a touch of luxury Q I have a question about Diamant thread. I like to use DMC Diamant Metallic thread with a strand of colour to add a little sparkle or sometimes on its own. I find it tricky to separate into individual threads though, and I’m wondering if I should be using it as it comes off the spool and not separate it? Nina Hudson, via Facebook A Fiona says: DMC* Diamant Metallic thread is designed to be easy to stitch with and add a luxurious feel to your stitching. The viscose fibres are wrapped in a metallised polyester coating, meaning they aren’t designed to be split into individual strands the same way as your stranded cottons or floss. The twisted thread is equivalent to two strands of…

The World of Cross Stitching KNOW-HOW Confetti conundrum Q Is there an easier way to do single stitches, like the ones that are used to represent stars or snow? Lauren Corser, via Facebook A Fiona says: Single stitches – often called ‘confetti’ stitches – are a tricky technique for a lot of stitchers, but help is at hand as there’s a few different methods you can try for tackling them! If your cross stitches are to be placed no more than about six to eight blocks apart, then you could still use a continuous length between them, but if you need to ‘travel’ the thread further than this, then it could be visible as a ‘ghostly’ line through the holes in the fabric. To avoid this, you could back your…

Design my pet! Q My dear friends have a Norwegian Buhund called Rebel. They absolutely adore him, and he really is a lovely little chap. Please could you chart Rebel for me, as I’d like to give them the magazine, chart and threads as a present? Many thanks! Sue Hanslow, via email A Durene says: Hi Sue, here’s Rebel in stitchy form! The Norwegian Buhund is a really cool breed – stocky and very intelligent looking. Smart, energetic and friendly, they make great farm dogs as well as being loyal family pets. Rebel looks like quite a character and we can see why your friends adore him. I’ve charted Rebel’s lovely pale coat using a lot of white with beige touches here and there, and a darker brown shade for…

ISSUE 270 ON SALE 14 JUNE FRESH FROM THE GARDEN Make over your kitchen with this fresh herb sampler stitched on grey aida VINTAGE SUMMER FLORALS Try something new with our summery floral cushion, finished with button embellishments TERRARIUM CHIC Our six trendy cards can be stitched for any occasion – perfect for your stash! DREAMY DRAGONFLY Enjoy stitching this colourful design by Durene Jones using variegated threads Contents subject to change. Gift(s) only with print edition, and overseas gift(s) may vary You won’t be able to resist stitching this super-sweet kitty Say hello to our adorable kitten! This playful fellow with the piercing blue eyes will melt hearts instantly. SHOEMAKER FAIRY Stitched on evenweave, this magical fairy design is filled with exquisite detail BRILLIANT BEACHHUTS You’ll be dreaming of the…

EMMA CONGDON Create a buzz this summer with Emma’s beautiful bees sampler (p84). And we discover what inspires Emma’s designs in our interview with her on page 46. JENNY BARTON Jenny has designed two fab projects this issue – enjoy her space-themed ABC (p29) and get set for Father’s Day with her motif collection stitched on plastic canvas (p70). AMANDA BUTLER Put your stitchy skills to the test with Amanda’s picturesque railway scene (p20). Done in the most lifelike, painterly way, there’s lots of techniques to try.…

STITCH COUNT 29 high x 30 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 5.5x5.5cm (2x2¼in) This design was stitched using DMC stranded cotton Q Hi, I was wondering if it would be possible to design a cute unicorn with a rainbow-coloured mane and tail please? I would like to use soluble canvas to stitch it on to a T-shirt for my one-year-old niece. Lizzie Milner, via email A Jenny says: What a magical idea Lizzie! I had great fun letting my imagination – and colour palette – run riot with this little chap. I like how his multi-coloured mane and tail contrast with his white coat. Enjoy stitching him! Please note: Jenny can only fit in fairly small designs and for copyright reasons she is unable to chart logos,…

I am looking for a mini tractor cross stitch pattern to fit in a birthday card. Please can you help? Terri Johnson-Goff, via Facebook Heannah says: This Red Tractor kit (004-N02stl) is a new addition to the Mouseloft* Stitchlets range, and comes with Zweigart 14-count aida, DMC threads and a needle, as well as full, easy-to-follow instructions. It costs just £2.39 and fits within a 6.5cm circle diameter for framing in an aperture card too, so should be just perfect for your birthday recipient. I know you are supposed to use a single thread when backstitching, but can I double the thread for fuller backstitching? Sumer Scoggins, via Facebook Heather says: It will indicate the number of strands for backstitches on a pattern’s key, but of course this is personal choice as…

How did you start cross stitching? As a child, I was fascinated by the samplers in my grandmother’s house and she taught me to stitch. I did a few little kits when I was about nine or 10, but stopped as a grumpy teen. Years later, I wanted to create a sampler for my own home. I searched for something I liked with no joy and realised I’d have to design my own. I’d been working as a graphic designer for a couple of years, so had some ideas. I designed one, and another, then another – then I was hooked. How did you get into the business? I quit my full-time job five years ago to work as a freelance designer, so now I have more time for all…

Parrot power If you like pets of the feathered variety then this wonderfully psychedelic parrot could be right up your tweet. The ‘Mandala Parrot’ PDF chart from AwesomePatternStudio* on Etsy is available as a download for £3.47. This design measures around 15x20.5cm (5¾x8in) when stitched on 14-count aida – and will certainly turn heads. Box of tricks We all know that cats love to hide in boxes – and these ones are no exception! ‘One more?’ is the latest cute and cuddly design from Peter Underhill at Heritage Crafts*. Available as 14-count aida or 28-count evenweave, the kit costs £11.65 and contains fabric, DMC stranded cottons, needle, chart and instructions. Shaggy dog storey The ‘Dog Stack’ kit from Past Impressions* is wonderfully tactile in that you can actually stroke some…

Join us on Facebook Chat 24/7 on our Facebook page – here’s what you’ve missed! OUR FAVOURITE POST Julie Ellis says: “Absolutely loved stitching this for my daughter’s birthday. I love how quick it was to stitch and it is just beautiful. I used sparkly aida too. Can’t wait to stitch the rest of the series printed in the mag.” We love the sparkly unicorn cards from issue 266, too. YOU LIKED Valya Trifonova says: “My last finished project. ‘The Art of Hummingbirds.’” What a stunning design, Valya. The bright florals are perfect timing for summer. And the winner is… We asked you on Facebook: What’s your fave thing to stitch for newlyweds? The results are in and when stitching for newlyweds, most of you prefer to stitch something unique…

Jenna Hookey is self-employed from Hastings What’s been your favourite ever cross stitch project? Under the Sea Sew Along ran by Lakeside Needlecraft and designed by Durene Jones. I loved the shades of blue and green that were used. Favourite recent WOXS design? The mummy and baby koalas in issue 265. Just lovely to see them cuddling and I’ve always liked koalas. Who are your stitching pals? My stitching buddies are mostly online. Through social media I have met some lovely ladies who I chat to about current projects and sometimes offer advice. Best stitching tip? Always start in the middle. You’re less likely to lose where you are on the chart. Proudest cross stitch moment? My proudest cross stitch moment was having two pictures on display in my local…

Star Letter GOOD THINGS COME… Hi there! I’ve only recently got back into cross stitch, having been taught it years ago (when I was eight) by an aunt. This photo is my sister with the Boofle project I did for her 40th birthday in October last year. It was the largest project I’ve ever done and was initially supposed to be for her Christmas present in 2015! I was determined to finish it for her 40th birthday because 2016 was pretty rubbish. She was diagnosed with breast cancer, then had lumpectomies and underwent radiotherapy. She’s fine now and I think she really appreciated all the work that went into it – there were times I wanted to bin it! I had it framed professionally and even I have to admit,…

The World of Cross Stitching CHARITY OF THE MONTH CRAFT AWAY FROM IT ALL You’ve heard of yoga retreats – well now you can recharge your batteries on a Craft Sanctuary Retreat courtesy of SewandSo. There’s a Ribbon Embroidery and Cross Stitch Retreat 17-19 August at the Wychwood Park Hotel, set in the Cheshire countryside. On the course you’ll learn how to create ribbon embroidered flowers, plus tweeding and hoop-framing techniques as you work on two gorgeous projects. Prices start at £350 for a single occupancy room. MORE For more details and to book your stitchy break, visit www.sewandso.co.uk/craftsanctuary WHERE AM I? I went on a tour of a country and this is one of many famous monuments in its capital – although it’s not one of the best known.…

Fiona Baker Fiona is our Technical Editor so she’s ready to answer your problems on all things stitch and chart related Heather Nugent Heather is our Charting Editor and is on hand to answer any technical stitching questions that you have Jenny Barton Design pro Jenny has been creating projects for us for years and is ready to take on your design challenges Hannah Kelly All set to hunt down those elusive charts and products, Hannah’s here to find shopping answers that you need Katriel Costello Stitching guru Katriel has worked in the industry for years, so has ample knowledge to answer any queries Larger than life Q I’m looking for a magnifier with a lamp I can clip onto an embroidery hoop, ideally under about £10. Does such a…

Faye Mulhern: Start kids stitching on plastic canvas and possibly yarn, rather than thread. Also, use a plastic needle with a large eye so they can thread it easily and won’t hurt themselves on a sharp point. Chris Cooper: I used 11-count fabric and started the children off with small charts and large-eyed needles. As the charts were small, they just held them in their hands. Judith Harrison: Baker Ross has a range of wooden designs to cross stitch that have a bit larger grid and seem to work well for primary school children. Joy Monteron: Try a stamped starter kit with a simple design. A plastic canvas and yarn could also be used. Rachel Meredith: I bought little kits for my daughter that were full stitches only and of…

Floral close-ups RICH REDS SINGLE ROSE A glorious close-up of a single rose shows the velvety petals of the nation’s favourite bloom. Naturalistic shading and ruby reds entice you into the centre of the flower in this download from JB Cross Stitch*. Each square of the four chart pages is stitched and whole stitches only are used, making this a great project for advanced beginners. Single Rose (JBDC1263) will make a gorgeous picture to hang in the living room. Stitch count: 112 wide by 112 high, 20.5x20.5cm (8x8in) on 14-count aida PRETTY IN PINK SPRING TULIPS You know you’ve picked a special design when it is presented in an attractive box, as with Spring Tulips (SSN42228) from the RIOLIS home and garden collection at Stitcher*. Slide off the cover to reveal…

Sink your needle and thread into these aquatic designs by Fiona Baker to make fab cards and gifts 40 quick-and-easy motifs Fiona Baker's design inspiration Stitches for every skill level Helpful tips and advice Unique present ideas for your special someone SEASHORE STITCHES Take a peek at the colourful plantlife living under the sea in this motif (3). Stitch on pale blue aida and secure to a mini canvas, ready to display in your bathroom. YOU’RE A STAR! Any beach-loving friend will appreciate receiving a gift with this starfish (1) tag attached! Simply patch your stitching onto a ready-made tag or make your own. MAKING A SPLASH Dive into an underwater fantasy world with this magical mermaid (21). Her long flowing hair and shimmering tail will look perfect patched onto…

PRIZES WORTH £250 Bold, bright and stylish Whether you love the quirkiness of biscornus or retro style makes your heart sing – or perhaps you’re a big fan of stitchy Christmas and Easter gifts, Cheryl McKinnon’s website will seem like an Aladdin’s cave brimming with goodies. Bold, bright and stylish are Cheryl’s watch words. Her designs are a big favourite here at WOXS HQ, so we’re excited to be offering five lucky readers a £50 voucher each to spend on whatever they fancy on her Tiny Modernist* site. TO ENTER To enter by text message use keyword WOXS269VOUCHER or if entering by post, label your postcard ‘Tiny Modernist voucher giveaway (WOXS269)’ PRIZES WORTH £250 Sweet gifts Our friends at Cottage Needlecrafts* are offering five stitchers a £50 voucher to spend…

CHOOSE YOUR ESSENTIALS… Start with these must-have items 1. FABRICS Begin with either aida or evenweave. Aida is best for beginners, with regular woven blocks and obvious holes. It’s stiffer than evenweave, but will soften slightly as you work. 14-count aida is the most common. It’s harder to work fractional stitches on aida, as you’ll need to make an extra hole in the fabric, in the centre of the aida block. Evenweave is a lovely fabric to work on when you have a little more experience. The fibres aren’t woven in blocks as with aida, so it’s softer and the fine weave has more threads-per-inch – the most commonly used is 28-count. One stitch is usually worked over two threads of the fabric so it has an equivalent design size…