Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2019 i The World of Cross Stitching

Our February issue is packed with dreamy projects that’ll get your heart racing! Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day, an anniversary, wedding or just want to say ‘I love you’, there’s plenty of stitchy inspiration for heartfelt gifts. Faby Reilly’s wedding sampler design (p68) will be the perfect memento for a loved one’s special day and sparkly sequins and beads add a stylish finishing touch. Give your gifts a little va-va-voom with our decadent Parisian-themed Design Library (p47), express your love for someone special with the romantic heart-shaped hanging by Jenny Barton (p26) and old and young alike will enjoy Durene Jones’ whimsical cat triptych design (p62). If you’re looking for easy home style, we’ve got that covered too – choose from the patchwork key organiser on page 20, beautiful blackwork…

Design my pet! Q Hi Durene! I wonder if you could possibly do me a chart in Pet of the Month? I would very much like to make my daughter-in-law a card with a Gordon setter on – I would be very grateful! Many thanks. Barbara Cooper, via email A Durene says: Thank you, Barbara, I was delighted to be able to design this Gordon setter cross stitch for you – your daughter-in-law will love it! Gordon setters have such attractive and smooth, shiny coats, so I hope I’ve done the breed justice. I’ve chosen six different shades to depict their tell-tale black and tan fur. In addition to this, tin grey backstitch details are used to show off the sheen of the Gordon setter’s lovely coat, as well as…

Q Please can you design a chart of a male judo contestant? I have only managed to find females but I would like to stitch one for my brother’s birthday. Elizabeth, Essex A Jenny says: What a thoughtful present idea, Elizabeth. Stitched using whole cross stitch and a few fractionals, I’ve added grey to the white gi and dark grey backstitch for extra detail. Change the hair, skin and belt colours to make the perfect stitchy likeness of your brother. Please note: Jenny can only fit in fairly small designs and for copyright reasons she is unable to chart logos, or characters from films and TV. Skein/s? Q How can you tell how much of each colour is needed for your projects? The key shows the thread shade, but not…

In issue 234 you recommend a fabric called Zweigart platinum aida 3706/0770 for the ‘Sugar Plum Fairy’ project – I cannot find this anywhere! Can you help? Stephanie Allen, via Facebook Hannah says: This fabric is still available in the Zweigart* range, however suppliers may not call them by their ‘official’ names (something Zweigart has only recently introduced). If you get in touch with a supplier they should be able to tell you their own name for this fabric code. I’m hoping to stitch a kit by Bothy Threads* called ‘Love Note’ (XKA17) for a special 50th birthday. Would it look OK if I stitched it on an iridescent pink aida instead of white? Anna Baynton, via email Fiona says: What a unique piece this would create! Have a look…

Join us on Facebook Chat 24/7 on our Facebook page – here’s what you’ve missed! OUR FAVOURITE POST Steve Keeley says: “Recently completed ‘Rose Cottage’, three and a half years to do, and 114,000 stitches, just need to get it framed now.” What an amazing achievement Steve, you must be very proud of this project. YOU LIKED Jade Lawley says: “Almost finished this project now. Hopefully, I will get it done by today.” Jade started this Massai Sunset cross stitch on the 7th of October, and just look at it now! Well done on all your hard work, Jade! And the winner is… We asked you on Facebook: What do you love most about cross stitching? The results are in, and our readers most love how calming cross stitching can…

HOME TWEET HOME Designed by Durene Jones, this cute floral birdhouse is a must-make! WINDOW VIEW Create an assortment of window box cards, great for Mother’s Day X MARKS THE SPOT This pirate treasure map is perfect for the little adventurer in your life TOUCH OF SPRING Bring the outdoors in with this stylish spring sampler Magnificent unicorn EXCLUSIVE This elegant mythical creature designed by Shannon Wasilieff will add a touch of glamour to your bedroom HOPPING MAD Enjoy our trio of leaping hares, stitched on stunning specially dyed fabric SAVE THE DATE Learn how to make your own perpetual calendar & never forget the date again PLUS MUCH MORE Garden-themed ABC, perfect for the allotment Fans of leisurely drives will love our vintage car stitch Welcome a newborn with…

FABY REILLY Faby’s wedding sampler (p68) is a lovely blend of modern typography with traditional floral motifs. Sequins and seed beads add the perfect finishing touch to this design. FIONA BAKER Pretty purple butterflies are set against striking geometric blackwork to great effect and two hoops are used to create a unique wall hanging (p56). CLAIRE COMERFORD Say thanks a bunch with Claire’s stitched basket of flowers on page 10. Enjoy trying various stitch types and variegated threads to complete this design. OVER £1,056 OF PRIZES WILL BE WON! Your chance to win! See page 83 to enter our competitions & be lucky…

Just in time for Valentine’s Day comes Monty Mouse in his red jumper, ready to show someone just how much they’re loved! This sweet design is ideal for stitching and sending as a card to your loved one, and is sure to make them feel all warm and fuzzy inside! Missed a chart? ISSUE 276 Lizzie’s ready to help make your New Year celebrations go off with a bang! ISSUE 275 Surprise a special someone with Monty and his spotty gift! ISSUE 274 Get cosy with Lizzie, who’s wrapped up warmly in her snowflake jumper. For back issues, call ☎ 03330 162 137 or visit http://bit.ly/1NwX3Rv…

Fiona Baker Fiona is our Technical Editor so she’s all 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 We can fix it, yes we can! Q I have a two-year-old son and he loves construction trucks. I’d love to find some patterns that…

⨯ Hannah Johnson: Myself, my mum and my best friend have a regular stall at our local church’s regular fairs, where we sell all the crafty items we make for the church and our other chosen charities. It really gets you involved in the community. ⨯ Cathie Lynch: I belong to a professional group of educators, DKG. Our chapter is the affiliate that brings Dolly Parton Imagination Library to Siskiyou County, CA. To help raise money, I stitch for our silent auctions. ⨯ Magda Pietrzak: Love Quilts UK! I’ve been with them from the first quilt. If you want to stitch for charity always remember to choose good quality materials if your work will be washed often (like quilts or pillows). ⨯ Audrey Marshall: Many people don’t realise the majority…

PDF DOWNLOAD FOLK BIRDS This folk art design is a pretty stitch indeed, it has a pleasing symmetry and uses vibrant colours that are unframed by backstitch (10 colours are used, with DMC codes listed in the key). Stitch this circular design for someone who loves Scandinavian-style décor and frame it in a simple wooden hoop. ‘Folk Birds’ arrives as an instant PDF download straight to your inbox when ordered via StitchesLoversShop* on Etsy. Stitch count: 103 wide by 101 high, 18.75x18.25cm (7¼x7in) on 14-count aida HEIRLOOM PIECE STRAWBERRY THIEF Adapted from a famous fabric by William Morris in 1883, ‘Strawberry Thief’ (XAC3) by Bothy Threads* is a stitch in time! The design shows a pair of birds calling out in song, while another pair pluck juicy strawberries. Heritage colours will…

40 STYLISH MOTIFS Stitch these fashionable French designs by Durene Jones to add that extra bit of glamour into your life ⨯ 40 quick-and-easy motifs ⨯ Durene Jones' design inspiration ⨯ Stitches for every skill level ⨯ Helpful tips and advice ⨯ Unique present ideas for your special someone TASTY TREATS Send your sweet-toothed friend a croissant (7), cupcake (36) or macaron (38). Here they’re patched onto a pale pink aperture card from Craft Creations* (AP75V-190). FEELING ROSY Mount this rose motif (37) in a frame and add a backing panel of wadding and voilà – you’ve got an earring holder! Add crochet ribbon for a decorative touch. J’ADORE This elegant perfume bottle (17) would make a great gift for your sweetheart. To turn this into a necklace, just stitch…

PICK OF THE MONTH Bear hug BEARY ADORABLE Welcome the brand new member of the Me to You Family, My Dinky Bear! If you adore Tatty Teddy designs, you’ll want to cuddle up to these baby bears with their snuggly beanies – how cosy! This new ‘My Dinky Bear’ range of mini-kits by DMC* includes a ready-to-hang wooden embroidery hoop, plus alphabet chart ready to personalise. Our faves are ‘Berry Beanie’ (BL1164/72), ‘Bumble Beanie’ (BL1163/72) and ‘Kitten Beanie’ (BL1161/72), but there are six designs to chose from. It’s so easy to fall in love with all of these sweet designs, the only hard part will be deciding which cute little fellow you’ll want to stitch first! ROMANTIC BOUQUET Peonies are a symbol of ardent passion, eternal love and happy marriage.…

CHARITY OF THE MONTH PAINTING MASTERCLASS The arts and crafts shopping channel, Hochanda, will be hosting a live watercolour masterclass in aid of Marie Curie on 25 January 2019. Celebrity guest, Penny Smith, will be in the studio with a Marie Curie Nurse and the class will be hosted by the watercolour artist Matthew Palmer. For £5, you can pre-order a daffodil painting kit and paint along live – 100% of the profits will be donated to Marie Curie. MORE Order your painting kit at www.hochanda.com/about/cross-stitch WHERE AM I? Here I am doing a spot of shopping on a beautiful island in the Caribbean. I can’t wait to visit the Seven Mile Beach, Bloody Bay and Long Bay. Thankfully, I didn’t forget to take my favourite magazine with me though…

PRIZES worth £1,056! PRIZES WORTH APPROX. £280 Bon voyage! Prepare to go on a globetrotting adventure with this new Rico Design* embroidery book no.165 Travel the World. This book focuses on popular landmarks from famous world cities, but also has beach designs with graphical patterns, too – this will really get you in the holiday mood! Win a copy of the book AND two matching fabrics, ‘Travel the World’ fabric collection: ‘Bon Voyage’ and ‘Fabric Printed Light Yellow, Paris’ – we have 15 bundles to give away. TO ENTER Visit www.cross-stitching.com or label a postcard ‘Rico giveaway (WOXS 277)’ PRIZES WORTH £270 Floral spring Bring a bit of spring into these darker days with three sets of cheery card designs from Amanda Gregory*. The bright and gorgeous trio that are…

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…

Louise Rousell is a swimming teacher from Farnborough Which three words describe you best? Organised, fun, motivated! What’s on your needle now? The ‘Adventure Awaits’ and ’12 days of Stitchmas’ SALs by Caterpillar Cross Stitch. They’re so bright and colourful! Worst stitching disaster? I decided to stitch a wedding gift on evenweave – BIG mistake! I had never used evenweave before and had to restart it on aida, almost delaying the gift, but I managed to finish on time. Recent fave WOXS design? ‘Shimmer and Shine’ by Jenny van de Wiele from issue 274. I love the colours against the blue background and how the beads finish the piece! Tell us why you love stitching After a busy day, stitching helps me to relax. I also love finishing a piece…

Grinning like a Cheshire cat Q Do you know where I could buy a copy of the Peter Underhill chart ‘Happy Crisp Mouse’? I live on a rural property in central Queensland, Australia, so the internet is my only option, but I just can’t find it to purchase anywhere online. Deirdre Doessel, via email A Susan says: ‘Happy Crisp Mouse’ (CRCM918) is part of our popular Tiddles range, showing the darker side of a cheeky cat and all his antics! Visit our Heritage Crafts* website and for £22.40 you can buy the full kit for this design which includes either Zweigart 14-count aida or 28-count evenweave, DMC pre-sorted threads and a set of charts and instructions. We offer free worldwide postage on all orders over £25 and only £2 postage…

Altering colours in a design Q Please could you help me with altering the colours of the Pet of the Month labrador in issue 234? My son’s dog, Belle, is black, but there are always other colours shading her fur. Could you advise me how to blend colours, as I think this will look best? Nicky, via email A Heather says: No problem, Nicky, this is actually easier than you might think! Firstly, to alter the original chocolate labrador to a black one, pick out your black and grey thread shades – I’d recommend swapping the browns and tans for DMC 310, 3799, 413, 317 and 414, as the darkest grey tones should help to enhance it. Then, experiment with the blending variations, starting with mixing the closest threads in…

25 JANUARY ON SALE: THE WORLD OF CROSS STITCHING Step into spring with our March issue, 278. You’ll find a fresh bulb sampler, sweet bird hanging, Mother’s Day cards, garden ABC and much more. You won’t want to miss the unicorn design by Shannon Wasilieff or the jumping hares bolster cushion, plus your exclusive romantic card kit. See page 94. 31 JANUARY-2 FEBRUARY THE CREATIVE CRAFT SHOW EVENTCITY, MANCHESTER A haven for knitting, cross stitch, paper crafting, jewellery, dressmaking and stitching enthusiasts. You’ll find everything from kits, charts and patterns to fabrics, yarns and threads, plus opportunities to glean advice from industry experts. Day tickets start at £10. Visit www.stitchandhobby.co.uk for more. 14-16 FEBRUARY CRAFT4CRAFTERS SHOW WESTPOINT ARENA, EXETER Come see over 170 leading craft supply businesses including needlecraft, crochet,…