Innholdsfortegnelse for Aug-22 i The World of Cross Stitching

This month, our issue is packed with treats! We have a make for everyone, so whatever your stitching ability, get set to add to your must-stitch list. If you’re a fan of adventure or love the feel of the wind in your hair, you’ll enjoy Jenny Barton’s vintage motorcycle on page 74. Full of realistic detail, you’ll race through it in no time! We have plenty of feel-good summery projects to inspire you this season too. Be transported to the seaside with the set of coastal bird cards on page 66 or the sunny beach huts ABC on page 27. Showcase a gorgeous arrangement of summer wildflowers with Amanda Gregory’s bright blooms on page 36. And take a WIP safely on your next holiday with Durene Jones’ handy tote bag…

Scarecrow Mouse key STITCH COUNT 40 high x 38 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 7.5x7cm (2¾ x2¾ in) Missed a chart? ISSUE 321 Gamer mouse Lizzie is plugged into her console – she’s going up a level. ISSUE 320 Monty the superhero is ready to swoop to the rescue and save the day. ISSUE 319 Flossie looks enchanting as a mer-mouse with a tail that shimmers in the sea. For back issues, call ☎ 03330 162 137 or visit http://bit.ly/1NwX3Rv Monty as Scarecrow Mouse is a sight to behold! Wearing straw-filled, patched-up dungarees and a sun hat, he hasn’t quite managed to frighten the crows – he’s too smiley for that – but the pumpkin at his feet remains intact. Stitch him for your collection!…

Star Letter MR & MRS STITCHED Luckily, last month we were able to celebrate my daughter Angharad’s wedding to James. The celebrations were made even more special by the cake toppers designed by Durene Jones in issue 293 (May 2020). My daughter fell in love with them, especially as they are personalised, and they certainly made their wedding cake look extra-special. Huge thanks to Durene for her very special designs, they truly were a showstopper. Keep up the good work with an excellent magazine which always seems to offer something different. Debra Jones, via email Hannah F: Awww, we love a happily ever after Debra – thank you for sharing your daughter’s special day with us! We must say Durene’s wedding cake toppers are beautifully stitched and look fabulous stood in…

Fiona Baker Our Senior Technical Editor Fiona is ready to solve stitching dilemmas and answer technique questions Heather Nugent Heather is a cross stitch designer and multicrafter – she’ll help you transform your stitching into finished items Hannah Erskine A lifelong stitcher, our Charting Assistant Hannah can answer any chart or stitching related questions Jenny Barton Design pro Jenny has been creating projects for us for years and is ready to take on your design challenges Hannah Fletcher All set to hunt down those elusive charts and products, Hannah’s here to find shopping answers that you need Cinders search Q My niece is getting married next year and she has always been a huge Cinderella fan. Do you know of any cross stitch patterns of Cinderella on a wedding theme? I…

× Kerry Sweeten: I usually take my car when I go on holiday so I take a separate holdall for my stitching supplies! × Mel George: I have one of those A4 plastic boxes, it fits most things in. × Delene Kerr: I use a pillowcase for my supplies. × Kim Mackley: I use a small travel bag to hold all my stitching bits and pieces. × Sarah Winders: I use a brand new toiletries bag, it has a few handy pockets and comes with separate pouches that fit inside too. × Gaynor McNeilly: I store mine in clear plastic ziploc bags. If I’m stitching poolside, the bags keep the stitching dry and clean while I’m having a swim or reading. × Nicola L Smith: A zip-up waterproof pouch usually…

A field full of poppies, bluebells, buttercups, and more are on display for all to see – you can almost smell the soft floral scent on the breeze. Stitch up a summer treat with Amanda Gregory’s floral arrangement that makes for pictureperfect hoop art to display in your home. Let your imagination run wild as you stitch, picturing yourself slowly drifting through the meadow with wildflowers all around you, and have your stitched version to enjoy too. There’s so much to love as you work your way through the vibrant colours, with the rich red poppies deservedly taking centre stage towering above the rest. You’ll want to sort your threads before you begin to avoid mix-ups with the different green shade families – even your thread sorter will come alive…

JUST £9.99! INC. UK P&P WHAT’S INSIDE × Patterns by top designers × Decorative number sets × Seasonal charts to get ahead! ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY! ORDER ONLINE www.buysubscriptions.com/xsalphabet2022 or CALL 03330 162 138 and quote ‘XS Alphabet 2022 Print 1’ UK calls will cost the same as other standard fixed line numbers (starting 01 or 02) and are included as part of any inclusive or free minutes allowances (if offered by your phone tariff). Lines open weekdays 9am to 5pm. Overseas please call +44 (0)1604 973 746. EUR price £11.99, ROW price £12.99. All prices include P&P. Please allow up to 28 days for delivery…

Keeping busy and stitching while you’re on the move means you can keep those projects coming and your stitch output high. Stitch on your morning commute, on trains and buses, or in the passenger seat on day trips out in the car. And of course, if you’re packing for a holiday then don’t forget to add this stitcher’s travel set to your hand luggage so you can stitch on the plane or on the coach. This handy tote bag means you can keep your latest WIP close and take it wherever you’re going, knowing you can factor in some stitching time wherever you are. Durene used the name Amelia for her sample and has included an ABC so you can stitch your own name on the tote and there’s plenty…

Riding along with the green and pleasant countryside zooming by can be an exhilarating experience, and that’s what Jenny Barton has captured in this striking poster-style artwork. With rolling hills as far as the eye can see, there’s no limit on your dreams of racing this vintage red motorcycle off into the distance – except of course the fuel tank capacity! We suggest you stay home and sew this evocative scene instead, and you’re sure to never run out of gas as you speed through the mostly whole stitches. Just watch for the occasional fractional and this densely worked design will come together quicker than you think. Ready and waiting for you to jump on and hit the road, the motorcycle has even been personalised to include initials and a…

PRIZES WORTH £250 In the swim In ‘Pool Time‘, the latest project book from Zweigart*, you’ll find a medley of motifs to personalise all your poolside accessories, and infuse projects with the feel-good summer vibe. Choose from Zweigart’s selection of gorgeous aida and evenweave fabrics to stitch your designs on. This prize bundle includes a 48x53cm (19x21in) piece of Zweigart’s 14-count aida in Coral (4018) worth £7 and the ‘Pool Time’ book worth £3. We have 25 bundles up for grabs for lucky readers. TO ENTER Visit our website www.gathered.how/woxs 25 UP FOR GRABS! PRIZES WORTH £250 Tree-mendous Lucie Heaton’s* designs will bring a bit of extra colour to your life – as well as being a real stash-buster! ‘Heart Tree’ is designed to be stitched using DMC Étoile softly sparkling…

ISSUE 323 ON SALE JULY 7 Contents subject to change. Gift(s) only with print edition, and overseas gift(s) may vary EXCLUSIVE Wonderful wizard of wisdom! Conjure up your neatest stitches in this magical design by Maria Diaz PLUS MUCH MORE ×  Join plant club with a modern hoop stitch for your home × Celebrate modern hobbies with our Design Library × Create a mini summer scene with our flower picker × Your cross stitching queries answered by our experts × Your stories, inspiration & letters… plus much more STITCH A COOL CARD YOUR BRIGHT RAINBOW KIT Everything you need to stitch this trailing threads design and empowering sentiment Your card kit includes: White 14-count aida 25 lengths of stranded cotton Pale blue card Tapestry needle TO SUBSCRIBE ☎ 03330162147 CAN’T WAIT FOR…

Cross stitch Each coloured square on the chart represents a whole cross stitch. Bring the needle up at the bottom left corner of a square and down at the top right corner. Then, bring the needle up at the bottom right corner and down at the top left to complete a stitch (starting corner positions can be reversed if preferred). Half cross stitch Half cross stitch is identified with a different symbol on the chart and key to the cross stitches, and consists of one arm of the stitch only. Work each half cross stitch in the same direction as you would the top arm of your full cross stitches for a neat and consistent look to your project. Fractional stitches To make a quarter stitch, bring the needle up…

SUSAN BATES With Susan’s dreamy summer scene on page 10 you’ll enjoy an idyllic cottage with thatched roof and a pretty walled garden filled with seasonal blooms. MEGAN CAINES You’ll be hypnotised by the vibrant mandalastyle patterns used by Megan in her monkey portrait (p56). Whole stitches only makes it beginner friendly too. LISA REAKES Lisa’s set of six coastal seabird cards will bring back happy memories of trips to the seaside and they’ll make perfect summer birthday greetings (p66). STITCHING HELP! Don’t forget to send all your stitchy questions and design requests in to us! Email us at: theworldofxstitching@ourmedia.co.uk Write to: Ask the Experts, The World of Cross Stitching, Our Media Ltd, Eagle House, Bristol BS1 4ST www.facebook.com/theworldofcrossstitching www.instagram.com/worldofcrossstitching We will try and answer your questions as soon as…

Faith can be found in many forms – from religious to spiritual, cultural, or personal and more. Wherever you find yours, devote some time to these mindful stitches with messages of hope and peace to be interpreted however you choose. Positive affirmations can help to bring strength, and simple messages like these could help to lift spirits or show a loved one just how much you care. With mostly whole stitches and backstitch, these classic designs can be tackled by stitchers of all abilities. If you’re a complete beginner, you may like to practise your fractionals on a scrap piece of fabric before starting – turn to page 97 to master them with our How To guide. When you’ve finished stitching them, take your pick from a classic frame, hanging…

DIY card apertures Q I’m really struggling to buy nice three-fold aperture cards that aren’t white or cream. Can you do an article on how to fold and cut our own cards? Maybe a review of die-cut machines that would cut nice circle, square and rectangle apertures? Any help would be great to escape the sea of bland boring cards. Lynnette Ambler, via Facebook A Hannah: We totally agree, it’s great to be able to create your own bespoke cards for all your crafting projects. That’s why we’ve been working hard to create a handy resource for all your papercraft needs alongside cross stitch, embroidery, knitting and more. Search for ‘how to make a cross stitch card’ on our website, for a step-by-step tutorial to cutting your very own DIY…

Friendly fractionals Q I am writing to ask you about the Festive House project that you featured in your magazine issue 312 (November 2021). The pattern has fractional stitches, and a box with little symbols in opposite corners. I am at a loss as I do not understand how to do these stitches. Can you please help me with this? Cherry Robinson, via email Q Fiona: Fractional stitches are super-simple and allow you to split a stitch so that either one colour fills only half a stitch to add detail, or so two colours share a single stitch. When, as you describe, two tiny symbols share a square on a chart, one is usually a three-quarter stitch and the other the quarter, or both can be three-quarters to ensure they stay visible.…

Look through a window onto a coastal view, with birds swooping and circling above the sea, and you’ll hear their calls carried across the breeze in a set of coastal cards that will instantly transport you to fishing harbours and sandy bays. The gull, puffin, cormorant, guillemot, oyster catcher and curlew take centre stage and are stitched on unifying pale blue aida to recreate the summer sky. The backstitch detail in these charts will be a joy to work as each stitch of this defining technique will bring out the best of the bird’s shape. You’ll also enjoy stitching with vivid thread colours used for the rocks and waves, it’s as if the sun has drenched them with a richer hue. This delightful set is perfect for conjuring up memories…

As stitchers, we have the power of the needle, something Holli Johannes of Oregon felt strongly when Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd were tragically killed in America in 2020. “We wanted to do something in addition to marching and protesting,” says Holli. The stitcher and high school maths teacher wanted to use art as a platform for anti-racism. Holli reached out on social media and the Stitch Their Names Memorial Project began. “Stitch Their Names is a collective art piece of two quilts to honour Black individuals in the US whose lives have been taken by police officers or others due to racism,” Holli tells us. “The quilts consist of 116 cross-stitched portraits. These 116 beautiful lives represent just a very small percentage of Black individuals targeted by…

Make a wish upon a starfish – mermaids now have cute and cuddly pets of their own too! Cats, dogs, rabbits and even a bear have been brought to shimmering life as fully formed mer-animals in Durene Jones’ whimsical set of designs. They’ve even been joined by some undersea creatures including the cutest little turtle, fishies, seahorses and more to complete their underwater home – it’s like they were mer-made for each other! Take your pick from four fantastic card charts and two matching tags to add the fun-factor to your future gift-giving. When you’ve finished stitching, simply fray the fabric and patch onto complementary patterned backing paper before sticking on single-fold cards. Use the same paper for the tags for an on-trend finish, or make into fabulous wall art…

Issue July Take a trip to the seaside with sandcastle champs, Wallace & Gromit in a summery exclusive! Then brave a black panther in a colourful jungle setting, recreate linocut style with an arty stitch and take a refreshing stop at tea shop cottage. Make a crafty cover for your sewing machine with a cute caravan project, dive into blackwork with a fun octopus, and enjoy summer cards! Your gift: Fruity gift tag kit by Tiny Modernist CALL THE HOTLINE TODAY ☎ 03330 162 137 Issue 320, June Handy thread organiser, Platinum Jubilee sampler, viking longship, ‘save our oceans’ tote, inclusive wedding cards and blackwork astrology set Issue 317, March Pretty bookmark kit, Forever Friends design, Regency portrait, Mother’s Day motifs, global spring festivals cards and part one of our seasonal Stitch-A-Long…

CHOOSE YOUR ESSENTIALS… Start with these must-have items FABRICS Most stitchers start off using aida – a block-weave fabric, which is divided into squares by a grid of holes, making it an ideal fabric for beginners. Each cross stitch is worked over one square. Or you may prefer evenweave, which is also woven in a grid but in a finer count. Each cross stitch is usually worked over two threads of the fabric (shown below), making it the equivalent size to stitching on aida (eg. 28-count evenweave would produce the same size finish as 14-count aida). Fractional stitches are easier to work on evenweave, as there’s a central hole spare so you don’t need to split a block as you do for aida. THREADS You’ll need stranded cotton – this…

Be on the panel! × Get a sneak preview × Appear in the magazine × Receive a stitchy gift Emma Rhodes is a stay-at-home mum from Bath Your recent fave WOXS design? ‘Say it with Flowers’ from issue 317 (March 2022). It’s been years since I did a Forever Friends – it went straight on my never-ending list. How did you start cross stitching? My grandma taught me to knit when I was young. One year, we went to a craft show and I saw a stitch of a teddy holding a balloon. I haven’t stopped since! What is your fave project? The aida ruler from issue 297 (Sept 2020) because it’s so handy. Tell us about your latest WIP. I’m stitching my fourth Wrendale (Bothy Threads*), ‘Milk Maid’ – I…

As the white wooden gate swings open and you walk down the path through a garden alive with colour and blooms towards a country cottage, reach out a hand to push open the front door and let your dream life begin… With every stitch you can recreate the wonderful details in this pictureperfect scene. From the stone walls of the cottage, the pretty rose arbour above the doorway, to the pink curtains at the window and the traditional straw thatch roof, every colour change and stitch will bring you closer to completion. The garden is a delight to work up in stranded cottons, from the flowers standing tall above the front wall to the grand trees protecting the rear of the house – just thread a few needles with different…

Q My cousin is more like a sister and we have both got a special birthday at the beginning of next year. My cousin has always had a fascination for rocking horses, I would love to stitch one for her but I’ve searched all over and not been able to find one suitable to make into a card or small picture. Can you help? Kath Hodgkins, via email A Jenny: Classic rocking horses are so nostalgic, it was a delight to chart one for your cousin – I hope she likes it. Happy birthday both! 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. Rocking Horse key STITCH COUNT 24 high x 30…

Inclusive weddings BEGINNER FRIENDLY MR & MR Worked in seven subtle shades, this design from Peppermint Purple* is an elegant choice. There are some sweet phrases and cute hearts to stitch inside the border, while the green banner that breaks out over the edges offers space for the married couple’s new surname. The entire design is worked in whole stitches, making it ideal for advanced beginners. And, as the design is a PDF download, you can use it more than once if wedding season is upon you! The chart is also available as ‘Mrs & Mrs’ and ‘Mr & Mrs’. Stitch count: 156 wide by 167 high, 28x30cm (11x12in) on 14-count aida CLASSIC CHIC WEDDING CARD Looking for a wedding greeting that’s fun and easy to stitch? These card kits from…

No.1 pet Fun facts about rabbits • From Bugs Bunny, Peter Rabbit, the velveteen rabbit and Thumper in Bambi, many famous bunnies have starred in films and taken centre stage in books. Not to mention ads – we mean you, Energizer Bunny! It seems we can’t get enough of these long-eared, cottontail cuties. • Celebrities who own pet rabbits include models Cara Delevingne and Kylie Jenner. Cara’s bunny, Cecil, has his own Instagram account. Design my pet! Q My pet rabbit Tommy is a Mini Lop crossed with a Mini Rex and he loves to sit under my chair while I stitch. He also tries to eat my frame and jump through it. Could you possibly make a design of him? Thanks so much. Hollie Malin, via email A Durene says: Tommy…

High up in the treetops where monkeys swing, this wonderfully bright and bold creation in Meloca Designs’ mesmerising mandala style is sure to stand out from the crowd. The symmetry makes stitching and displaying this work of art a real delight, and ensures an easy-to-follow pattern to immerse yourself in. This primate is a beginner-friendly project using only simple whole stitches so whether you’re new to stitching or a pro, everyone can enjoy the meditative motion of bringing it to life – one colourful stitch at a time. Pre-sort the 18 thread shades onto an organiser before you begin, so you can relax and lose yourself in this reflective design. It also helps avoid any mix-ups of similar shades of tan, gold, and sand. Mount on a square canvas like…

PICK OF THE MONTH New baby gifts A WHALE OF A TIME! Make a big splash for a special little someone with the Vervaco Whale collection from Stitcher*. In sea-blue colours, the friendliest whale ever looks at home with his starfish and seahorse friends in this must-stitch set for a newborn. Stitch the ‘Whale Birth Sampler’ to welcome a new baby, and the ‘Whale Fun Cushion’ and ‘Height Chart’ as a matching set. Each design in this set is available as a kit, the birth sampler and height chart use stranded cottons on 14-count white aida, while the cushion is worked in chunky cross stitch on a printed design on 4.5-count canvas and acrylic yarn for a hard-wearing finish. TAKE A STAND Already popular with stitchers, the Lowery Workstand* just…

THE MUST-HAVE MAGAZINE SHARING YOUR PASSION FOR MODERN EMBROIDERY Only £5.99£ 1.67 an issue! In every issue: ✔10+ inspirational projects ✔ Step-by-step stitch guides ✔ Exclusive embroidery gift ✔ Expert-led tutorials ✔ Full-size templates Easy-to-use gifts with every issue! 2 easy ways to subscribe 🖰 ORDER ONLINE AT WWW.BUYSUBSCRIPTIONS.COM/LVMHA22📞 OR CALL NOW ON 03330 165 408† AND QUOTE LVMHA22 † UK calls will cost the same as other standard fixed line numbers (starting 01 or 02) and are included as part of any inclusive or free minutes allowances (if offered by your phone tariff). Outside of free call packages call charges from mobile phones will cost between 3p and 55p per minute. Lines are open Monday to Friday 9am–5pm for orders and enquiries. *This introductory subscriptions offer ends 31st December…

For our August masterclass I wanted to create a bright summery pattern. I’ve used spider web stitch in a rainbow of thread shades to create shooting stars around my fun cross stitch sentiment in the centre. This stitch looks quite amazing and a little puzzling in terms of how to stitch it, if you have never come across it before. And yet, it is ever so simple to carry out! The spider web stitch is a surface stitch, so we need something to anchor it to the fabric – this is the purpose of the star shape that needs to be stitched first. It is essential that this star shape has an odd number of ‘arms’ for the stitch to be effective which will become clear as you begin. Let’s…

CHARTS Made up of coloured squares containing symbols that represent squares to be stitched on the fabric. A tiny symbol denotes a fractional stitch in the corner of the square in which it’s to be worked. The centres of our charts are marked with arrows on the edge of each side. To find the corresponding centre of your fabric, fold it in half horizontally and then vertically – the point where the creases cross marks the centre. Start stitching here to ensure the design is positioned in the middle of the fabric. SHOPPING LIST Contains type and size of fabric, recommended needle, and details of other products to frame or finish your project in the same way we have. Using another fabric with different HPI will alter the finished size…

Thread colours are arranged in shade ‘families’ – these are groups of colours that create a gradient of shading. It helps to look at a shade card for the full palette when making colour comparisons (available from DMC and Anchor) as these are arranged within the shade families already. You can swap threads likefor-like to equivalent shades of another family, ie. light, medium and dark. You may want to change the hue of an entire pattern, or use up threads already in your stash to save money. You can also alter skin tones to create different ethnicities. We’ve included some examples of skin shade families below, but feel free to experiment with your own. You’ll need to select alternatives for mid-tones, highlights and shadows, depending on how many shades are…