Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2019 i The World of Cross Stitching

Who has already started stitching for Christmas? I have! I like to start my Christmas cards early and I’ve got my eye on the set of six Christmas tree designs on page 72. The beads add a touch of opulence that is sure to impress the recipients. For something completely unique, you’ll want to try Heather Nugent’s cute animal cards (p38) stitched with Madeira Lana wool, giving the animals’ fur a realistic fluffy effect! On page 84, you’ll find Heather’s essential guide to making cards and tags – it’s never been so easy to make and send personal greetings to loved ones. What better way to countdown to Christmas than with a handmade Advent calendar? Fiona Baker has created a fun gingerbread house design on page 56 and it’s really…

Wizard Mouse key STITCH COUNT 40 high x 40 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 7.5x7.5cm (3x3in) This design was stitched using DMC stranded cotton Missed a chart? ISSUE 285 All nice and cosy in his warm sweater, Monty is enjoying the cool, crisp outdoors. ISSUE 284 Lizzie has a special present just for you – a stunning, bright yellow sunflower! ISSUE 283 Monty Mouse is keeping his cool this summer by zooming around on his skateboard. For back issues, call ☎ 03330 162 137 or visit http://bit.ly/1NwX3Rv Wearing his tall, crooked hat and deep purple robes with golden trim, Monty is sure to put you under his spell – all without the need of his magic wand! His sorcerer look wouldn’t be complete without his long, white…

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 Seeking Popcorn I have a cross stitch kit with a design of the Popcorn character holding flowers which came with an old issue of The…

Martina Doyle Adams: In between large projects, I like to stitch one of the fabulous cards we get with the mag each month. Kelly Kinnaird: I just challenge myself to do five stitches. Then five more. Next thing I know, I’ve just finished a whole section and I’m having great fun. Carol Way Hefner: If I gift a project and receive praise, that motivates me to get started again! Also, WOXS is always a motivator! Even when I’ve stopped for a while, the designs in the magazine are so tempting I’ll pick up my needle again! Dawn Gray O’Keeffe: If I’m totally stuck then I’ll either do some small cards or turn to one of my other hobbies of knitting or cardmaking for a while. Shannie Dilworth: I find stitching…

Advent calendars VERSATILE MOTIFS SHABBY ADVENT CALENDAR The great thing about Advent calendars is that you can restitch your favourite motifs as much as you like to make cards and gifts, making these designs great value for money. This sweet selection of designs from Casa Cenina* features elegant motifs with decorative ribbons and fine borders. Full colour charts come in a handy A5 booklet size, making them portable, too. Stitch count: 227 wide by 378 high, 41x68cm (16x27in) on 14-count aida ADD SPARKLE WITH BEADS & METALLICS ADVENT CALENDAR Hang little bags filled with treats from the gold rings of this Advent calendar design from Rico Design*. The full colour, no symbols chart shows a simple-tostitch Christmas tree worked in whole stitches only, with golden stars filling the background. In this…

Fun facts about dwarf rabbits thirdmostpopularpetafter dogs and cats. thesmallestbreedofdomestic rabbit. areabletorecognisetheir name and can be taught simple tricks. PetsatHomedonot sell rabbits over the Easter period? Instead they offer customers free educational workshops during this time. Design my pet! Hello! My name is Jennifer Summers and this is my bunny called Bruno. He’s seven-years-old now and a Netherland dwarf rabbit cross. I have a mental health illness and he’s my guardian angel (along with my dogs). Without Bruno I would have no reason to get out of bed. At a time when things were at their worst, Bruno jumped up and licked my face – it was as if he was saying everything will be OK. From that moment I knew it would be. Here is…

With their long, shaggy hair and curved horns, Highland cows are a distinctive and beloved part of the beautiful Scottish landscape. This mother cow is certainly at home in this wintry moor, nuzzling her calf to keep him warm while the snow covers the heathers and the summits of the mountains off in the far, far distance. Amanda has used a suitably icy palette of thread shades, including some metallic silver to give the effect of glittering frost, while the pale blue aida adds to the seasonal feel of the piece – you can just feel the cold nip in the air. You’ll find fractional stitches and half stitches in the design, making it a satisfying project for advanced beginners and more knowledgeable stitchers to sink their needle into. Finished…

RIGHT UNDER YOUR NOSE This November take action and join the November Foundation to help change the face of men’s health. This charity is about tackling the issues of prostate and testicular cancer, as well as mental health. November is famed for its hairy fundraising antics – instead of growing a ‘stache, why not stitch one? You can sell cards or create your own fun photo booth props, all for a good cause. MORE For more info visit https://uk.movember.com WHERE AM I? Here I am at 2,704m enjoying the view of the Grande Motte glacier with my fave mag! I adore skiing, but one of the best things about this holiday is having the time to work on the ‘Wild at Heart’ jungle design by Helen Brindley – it’s for…

WREATH ABC Check out these elegant floral winter monograms, just great for stockings! SPARKLE & SHINE Send season’s greetings with one of six enchanting night-time city snow globes O STARRY NIGHT Create your very own Nativity diorama to be admired for many years to come WINTER WOODLAND Dusted in snow, this serene scene makes a cool statement LETTER TO SANTA Stitch and make a fabric envelope to get in touch with the merry man himself PLUS MUCH MORE Spruceup your tree with five padded beaded baubles Deck the halls with your very own floral winter bunting Design Library full of festive puns – just wine-derful! Your cross stitching queries answered by our experts Your stories, inspiration & letters… plus much more! Share the holly jolly holiday joy EXCLUSIVE Santa, his…

How to read our keys Clear symbols, colours & all the info you need! Symbols Look for a symbol close to the chart centre – the arrows on our charts easily show the centre so you won’t need to count! Find this symbol in the key. The codes in that row show which thread shades to use for cross stitching blocks with this symbol. Thread brands The thread shades are listed in separate columns for the different manufacturer brands of thread. For best results, you should stick to one manufacturer for the whole of a design. Backstitch & French knot shades The shades used for these are listed under the cross stitch symbols. The number of strands needed for these can vary, so make sure you check how many to…

JENNY BARTON With rich colours and stunning detail, Jenny’s elegant angel (p10) is an heirloom piece that you’ll want to hang pride of place in your home year after year. AMANDA GREGORY Amanda has created an evocative design of the Scottish moors in winter featuring a pair of Highland cows huddled together at the centre of the piece (p78). FIONA BAKER Fiona’s scrumptious gingerbread Advent calendar (p56) will be a big hit with your family, especially when you pop some treats into the numbered pockets!…

With their cute round noses, tall towering caps and big bushy beards, the tomte are gnome-like creatures from Swedish folklore (also known as nisse in Norway and tonttu in Finland). These Scandinavian mythological characters are domestic sprites who act as secret guardians for the household, protecting them from misfortune… and now here they’ll be defending your books from losing your place. With four different designs, you can pick your favourite element from each – the pointed shoes from one and the patterned hat from another – and create your own unique tomte in no time. Plus, with the included backstitch alphabet you can personalise each bookmark or add your own friendly greeting. We’ve backed these bookmarks with felt and added a handmade tassel, but if you want to add extra…

PICK OF THE MONTH Furry Babies WHIMSICAL WATERCOLOUR From the founder of Lili of the Valley, comes a new cross stitch company by the name of The Little Stitchery UK*, so prepare for something utterly adorable! Introducing the Furry Babies collection – baby animals drawn with a soft watercolour effect. There are ten designs in the range so far, including the sweet ‘Elephant’, ‘Penguin Chick’ and ‘Lion Cub’, with more on the way. They’re fab for ambitious beginners as these patterns contain no backstitch, but can use up to 40-50 colours for each incredible design. Available as downloadable charts for £3.98 each, you’ll get two PDF charts, a thread colour key, a thread length chart and an image of the finished design. WINTER WONDERLAND When it’s cold outside, there’s nothing…

HANNAH KELLY, EDITOR The next level I’d like to learn some new more advanced stitches to include on my projects. Any suggestions? Jessica Joyce, London Hannah: It’s great that you’re looking to expand your stitching skills, Jessica! There’s lots of more advanced stitches you can master, but how about starting off with a diamond eyelet? These relatively simple stitches are a good starting point before moving onto more advanced techniques. Diamond eyelets are created by working a series of stitches around a central hole in a diamond shape. The tighter you pull the stitches, the larger the eyelet hole will become. To begin, bring the needle out at the very top of the diamond eyelet shape and take it back down through the fabric again in the central stitch. Next,…

Wasting away How would I start and finish a thread off for a pattern that is purely backstitch? Claire Washford, via Facebook Fiona: In these instances, I’d recommend first tying a waste knot in the end, after you have threaded your needle. A waste knot is simply a knot in the thread that you will cut off at a later time. Pass your needle and knotted thread through the fabric from the front to back, to the side of your area of stitching. You should make sure there’s no stitches on the pattern where your waste knot is positioned. Then, bring your needle back up through the fabric to the front, following your pattern for where the first stitch should be. Continue to stitch as normal, making sure the first…

Imagine that feeling you get when it’s chilly outside and you slip into your favourite cosy sweater – you know that one when you’re all wrapped up in that downy softness, feeling comfy and snug? Well, these cheery cards are the very embodiment of that love and warmth, so you won’t be able to resist stitching them this winter and sharing them with your family and friends. All prepared for the cold weather, we have an adorable trio of animals bundled up. There’s a baby penguin with purple, woolly earmuffs, a robin draped in a blue scarf and a polar bear wearing a Santa hat – it’s hard to choose who to stitch first! If you’ve never experimented with Lana wool before, you’re in for a treat! Heather has used…

When the evenings start to get darker and the light has nearly faded, it’s time to curl up on a comfortable chair with a few of your favourite things – a fluffy blanket, your stitching (of course), a freshly-baked cookie and a nice, hot drink – preferably with whipped cream and sprinkles on top! The sweet seasonal selection of motifs in this design will be a treat to stitch for beginners and experts alike. It’s important to pay attention to the backstitch in the key though – all backstitch is in one strand apart from the mug’s eyes and mouth, the sprinkles and gingerbread person’s smile, which are backstitched in two strands to draw attention to these charming details. Combat the winter chill in any room of the house by…

Happy hoglet This sweet ‘Hedgehog & Toadstool Mushrooms’ scene will be an enjoyable project for beginners as it uses whole stitch only. When stitched on 14-count aida, the design size will be 13x8.5cm (5x3¼in), which fits nicely in a 6in hoop. Download this chart instantly for £5.11 from Sewingseed*. Dogpile Take a tumble in the leaves with these two happy children and their dog in this ‘Autumn Holidays’ cross stitch kit by RIOLIS from Stitcher*. Sized at 30x30cm (11¾x11¾in), you’ll get instructions, Zweigart 14-count white aida, threads, needle and a colour chart – all for £25.51. Cat nap You’ll want to cosy up with this cutie, and for £16.50 you won’t be able to resist Oven’s ‘Lazy Cat Cross Stitch Kit’ (S929) from Past Impressions*. This furry feline will be…

4 OCTOBER ON SALE: THE WORLD OF CROSS STITCHING Packed full of seasonal cheer, you’ll love our December issue 287. Enjoy our festive puns Design Library, letter to Santa, night-time city snow globes and nativity diorama. Plus, you can deck the halls with winter bunting, round beaded baubles and a snowy woodland landscape. Go to page 94 for a peek. 14 NOVEMBER – 23 DECEMBER CARDIFF CHRISTMAS MARKET CARDIFF CITY CENTRE Explore the delights of Cardiff Christmas Market (for free) and support local food producers, artists, designers and crafts people. With an exciting mix of original, handmade products you and the family will have a roaring good time. For more info visit: www.cardiffchristmasmarket.com 16 NOVEMBER BASICS OF FRAMING COURSE ALL ABOUT FRAMING, EDINBURGH Aimed at complete novices, during this £150…

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…

Quarter The chart shows which corner has the fractional. Bring the needle up in that corner and down in the centre of the square, halfway across the diagonal (diagram 1). Three-quarters Work a quarter stitch, then a half stitch across the other diagonal arm of the square as in diagram 2. Like quarters, three-quarter stitches can face any direction. Two symbols When two symbols share a square, work a fractional in each colour. Decide on the quarter stitch for the background colour, then a three-quarters stitch for the main one (diagram 3). Back-to-back For a stronger outline, work a three-quarter stitch in each colour, stitching them back-to-back (diagram 4). Make sure that the two half stitch arms lie neatly parallel to each other.…

Once you’ve completed the crossword or Sudoku, send in your answers (see below for details) for the chance to win an original Furry Tales® print of Monty Mouse plus a limited-edition Titch chart, both by Lucie Heaton. To enter by post: Write your name, address and your crossword or Sudoku answer on the back of a postcard or stuck-down envelope and send it to: Crossword/Sudoku WOXS286, The World of Cross Stitching, Immediate Media Co, Eagle House, Colston Avenue, Bristol BS1 4ST. For full terms and conditions, turn to page 83. Please note that you can no longer enter by text message. Closing date: 30 September 2019.…

Samantha Whitehouse is a payroll and pension admin from Hertford How did you get into stitching? I started cross stitching as a child when I was given a craft kit with simple patterns to follow. I picked cross stitching back up again about three years ago after seeing a discounted kit in my local craft store and picking it up on a whim! Best stitching tip you’ve heard? I saw a post somewhere recently that explained that one end of the skein of thread is designed to not knot up when you pull it out, and the other end is designed for bobbin winding – that explained why I was having problems with knotted threads everywhere! Design you love? I’ve my eye on the three part Bird Quilt, the first…

Star Letter OH SEW TRUE TO LIFE W hen I was having chemotherapy my aunt gave me your magazine from London. I live in Sri Lanka and I was 16 when I started this project from it. It’s called ‘Cute Kitten’ by Hazel Lincoln from issue 270. I removed the flower vase out of the design because I don’t like stitching flowers and I replaced the vase with a ‘Thank you’ message so I could give it to my school principal, who was very supportive during that period. It took me five months to finish and it was so fun doing it! I don’t have it with me anymore, but I don’t think I’ll ever forget it because my cat gave birth to a kitten who looked exactly like my…

Rickety Rose* are offering 10% off all items available on their website, exclusively to our readers. Not only do they have an extensive range of felt, there’s also plenty of ribbon, pompoms, ric-rac and more! To redeem your special offer visit www.ricketyrose.co.uk and quote the discount code WOXS. Best of all, there is no expiry date, so you can order any time! There’s more… For more making-up ideas and inspiration, check out the following products from Rickety Rose: Where to buy SAVE 10%…

In September I am competing in the 55+ Senior Games in British Columbia, Canada, in the swimming events. Could you design me a female swimmer with a royal blue swim suit (as it’s the Senior Games colour)? I am swimming freestyle and breaststroke in my events, so it would be perfect! Tracey McRobbie, British Columbia, Canada Jenny: I hope this design inspires you ahead of all your races, Tracey! Wishing you all the best. 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. Swimmer key STITCH COUNT 23 high x 30 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 4x5.5cm (1¾x2¼in) This design was stitched using DMC stranded cotton Fabric find Can you…

43 UNIQUE IDEAS Commemorate special days around the globe with these cool designs by Cheryl McKinnon • 43 quick-and-easy motifs • Cheryl McKinnon’s design inspiration • Stitches for every skill level • Helpful tips and advice • Unique present ideas for your special someone HANUKKAH Mount printed paper onto a single-fold card then fray and patch your stitching (28) onto a contrasting paper. Layer them together to create an eye-catching finish. GOD JUL Stitch this set of seasonal Scandi motifs (24) onto 2in aida band and wrap around a jar – just the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit and spread festive cheer. THANKSGIVING Back your stitching (20) with white paper. Draw a circle on the reverse with your stitching at the centre. Cut out then mount onto…

Tell us how you started cross stitching Sosae: The road to cross stitching was cheerfully serendipitous. We’re both very creative in different ways and with different media, and naturally had no idea we’d become cross stitch designers! Years ago, we started our needlecraft pattern company, Trellis & Thyme, and along that path we discovered the magic of those little x stitches. We’re both self-taught, in design work as well as stitching. Needless to say, we fell in love with cross stitch design and look forward to every new project! Can you remember your first cross stitch project? Dennis: My first cross stitch was a radish. I thought it was great, but Sosae said it looked like a rutabaga (swede). I’ve improved a bit since then. How would you describe your…

Despite email and instant messaging, the traditional card is still a huge part of Christmas. And what better way to make receiving a card through the post even more special than by sending one of these festive trees, whose branches are beautifully adorned with beads! These pretty cards are the perfect project for those who love to add some pizazz to their stitching! Fiona has used DMC’s Étoile thread in her designs which means that your stitching will have an extra special sparkle. Each card is then finished with a variety of beads, from dainty seed beads that add a touch of texture to longer bugle beads to represent candles decorating the tree (turn to page 77 for a quick ‘how to’ on attaching bugle beads). The real beauty of…

Handmade cards can really show a special someone how much they mean to you. In these tutorials, Heather guides you through making a variety of cards and tags, plus ways to get extra creative. How to… patch stitching onto a single-fold card A single-fold card is a standard style that is ideal for patching a design onto the front. This is best-suited for designs without straight edges as the method of patching leaves a border of aida around the design. 1 Trim your aida, leaving a two block border around your stitching. Fray one row all the way around the edge. You can pull the threads out by hand or use a pair of tweezers. 2 Cut a piece of white paper to a slightly smaller size than your aida…

Helen began stitching way back in 1995 when she offered to stitch a picture of a village for her parents. Helen tells us, “I had never stitched before and I had no idea what I was letting myself in for. I quickly learnt from my good friend Jan, who is a very accomplished stitcher.” Helen finished the design for her parents in 1997 and was hooked on stitching! In 2003, Helen’s husband, Jeff, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. “At this point my stitching took on a fundraising turn. I started with a ‘Party for Parkinson’s’ where I sold cards to anyone who would buy them,” Helen tells us. And then Cross Pics was born – this is the name Helen gave herself when she sold her stitched items at craft…

CALL THE HOTLINE TODAY ☎ 03330 162 13 7 Issue 285 Hello October! Get in the Halloween spirit – stitch a pile of pumpkins, make three spooky masks or visit an autumnal fairy garden. Then, get creative by making a 3D tissue box cover and find the third and final part of our bird quilt with a detailed ‘how to’. Our cover star this month is the iconic King Henry VIII! YOUR EXCLUSIVE GIFT: accessory case for your stash! Order online at www.buysubscriptions.com/worldbackissues, by phone or use our form below • Issue 284 Floral wreaths chart book, bird quilt (part 2), lighthouse, fruity lunch bag, art deco DL, Delft ABC, animal matching game, Scandi chicken placemat • Issue 281 Cookie Bear card kit, helter skelter, cocktail hanging, cake cards, elephant…

• Choose your project… With our Factbox guide in every one of our projects, you can make sure you choose the right level for you. Absolute beginners should aim for a design without fractional stitches. • Buy your materials… Use our Shopping List for each project, which specifies everything needed, like size of fabric and finishing materials. Using another fabric with different HPI (holes per inch), will give a different finished size of design. Calculate your fabric requirements like this: Stitch count divided by HPI of ‘new’ fabric choice = new size in inches. Add at least 10cm (4in) on each dimension to allow for mounting, or less for cards. • Get ready… We always recommend starting in the centre of a design and working outwards. Our charts are marked…