Innholdsfortegnelse for Oct-22 i The World of Cross Stitching

Cross stitch can be used in many ways to express our thoughts and feelings and this month, we’ve included a few truly special projects on important themes that you can stitch to raise awareness of significant issues. October is Black History Month here in the UK and award-winning artist Parys Gardener has designed a powerful piece as a reminder that our very existence is an act of resistance. Find Parys’ inspiring pattern on page 18. This month’s Design Library is a collection of endangered animals designed by Amanda Butler (p47). World Animal Day takes place on 4 October and you can highlight the importance of these beautiful creatures by stitching them. October is also breast cancer awareness month and Mari Richards has designed a set of thoughtful cards that can…

Look what I found! This puffin tray matched so well with the lovely design by Durene Jones in issue 296 (Aug 2020). They made the perfect birthday card and present for my Auntie Helene. Thanks for all your great designs, I love stitching them! Susanne Hopkins, via email Fiona: That’s a perfect match, Susanne, your puffin tray and Durene’s design were made for each other! What a lovely gift set for your aunt. We love the card aperture colours you’ve chosen and the way you’ve mounted the card. The orange and blue contrast well together and match colours used in the design, and the wide and narrow double mount is very effective. Did you like our coastal sea birds cards in issue 322 (August 2022)? Lisa Reakes designed gulls, curlews, guillemots…

Here’s a piece of work I completed recently, after taking up cross stitching as a hobby just over three months ago. Inspired by other sampler patterns, I thought I’d have a try at my own personal version with inclusions from anything I encounter, things I like and random ideas thrown into the mix. It took a fortnight to complete, stitching a square a day, maybe two at weekends. I’m currently working on a football shirt version of the same layout, featuring kits from all over the world. Chris Gore, via email Hannah F: This is a wonderful window onto your world, Chris, you’ve created a fascinating picture of your life. It’s amazing how much you can tell about a person from just a relatively small number of stitches and threads. From…

Cook up a petrifying surprise this Halloween with a pumpkin soup recipe that’s scarily tasty! Backstitched ingredients, bats and spiders, a crow and a mouse are all added for good measure – but they’re not going into the cauldron, this is a real recipe for creamy pumpkin soup that’ll serve four hungry ghosties. This pattern is stitched on 14-count aida with a twist – the bleached oatmeal rustico is used to add texture and atmosphere and makes a great background for the white ghosts to float out from. If you usually find fractionals frightening then no need to scream, they’re just used for the flying bat. And if the sight of French knots makes you jump, then steel yourself because they are liberally sprinkled throughout the recipe as dots to…

Q I am after a green toy army cross stitch alphabet to make for a friend’s grandson, as he loves playing with toy soldiers. Has there ever been one in your magazine? His name is Fletcher, and he is eight years old. Many thanks for bringing enjoyment to so many, you are the highlight of my month. Penny Woolcock, via email A Hannah E: It doesn’t look like we’ve featured any toy army patterns, however you may like this more realistic soldier ABC set for Fletcher instead, featuring a camouflaged army squadron. Designed by Debra Page, you’ll find this set in issue 174. Unfortunately, it’s not available in our digital archive, so search on marketplace sites such as eBay for second-hand copies of The World of Cross Stitching, or post…

Breast cancer is sadly the most common cancer in the UK, but thankfully there’s continued research and development into treatments and ways to help manage the risks. October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month, when many organisations will join forces to promote information and raise funds for this life-saving research. Now you can get involved too by stitching these fab cards – maybe you know someone going through treatment at the moment, or you need a positive pick-me-up yourself. Or if you fancy helping this worthwhile cause by selling the cards to raise money for charity, turn to page 36 for some handy tips on getting started. With eight uplifting designs to pick from, you’ll want to get stuck in right away. Combine yours with patterned papers and pink buttons…

Treat yourself to these not-so-scary stitches…

This fantastic PDF pattern from Stitch People* includes charts of 29 different influential People of Colour, plus the accessories and backgrounds that are significant to each person. From aviator Bessie Coleman to engineer Elijah McCoy, get ready to bring some truly inspiring stories to life in a range of different stitches. There is also a banner pattern in two different styles, so you can create one large project including all 29 figures – perfect for a school display, or simply to hang up in your home. All proceeds from these patterns goes to Crafting the Future, a diversity organisation. READER OFFER Get stitch-ready for autumn with a super deal from our friends at Heritage Crafts*, who are generously offering 20% off two John Clayton kits. ‘Autumn Light’ (JCAL268) and ‘Autumn…

Wowed by a list of the world’s top 20 most famous paintings, stitcher Grace Perez decided she must own one for herself and so set herself the challenge of recreating a masterpiece in cross stitch. And now she is the proud owner of three works of art! Grace, an accountant from Manila in the Philippines who has been stitching for decades, began with Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer. “While it would have been much easier to hang a printed reproduction of this piece, where is the fun in that?” says Grace. “I found it more fulfilling stitching it as it gave me a sense of being at one with the artist, of being transported to that time and place when Vermeer was working on it back in…

It’s time to get cosy as the autumnal breeze stirs the changing crimson, brown and orange leaves on the trees. It’s also a time of thanks and gratitude, for all of nature’s bounty in the year and what’s been achieved so far. Of course, it also means you can now add to your wonderful seasonal tree project too, capturing all this and more as you stitch the cute critters and thread your needle with a blaze of beautiful autumn colours. Worked in 15 different thread shades, you’ll find so many wonderful details to enjoy – there’s a prickly hedgehog hiding among the pumpkins on the ground, a beady-eyed owl up in the tree and even a squirrel popping by to say hello. Delicate leaves fall from branches, gently to the…

Pumpkin spice and everything nice can be found in this bountiful harvest display. Filled with pumpkins, sunflowers, colourful leaves, birds, berries and more, the blue ribboned barrel is bursting at the seams with autumnal goodies! What better way to celebrate the beauty of the season than having this design take pride of place in your home. Designer Perry Abdel-Hadi has used her distinctive style of watercolour shading to build up the colours and the multi-stranded backstitch helps create a 3D effect. There’s an extensive palette of 30 different thread shades, so we recommend organising them before you begin, and even threading a few needles in advance to help keep your flow through the colour changes. There are four different stitch types to tackle too, with half cross stitch elements and…

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…

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 like-for-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…

PERRY ABDEL-HADI Perry has captured the best of the autumn season in her vibrant harvest scene (p78). Her watercolour style and delicate backstitch creates a realistic effect. PARYS GARDENER An empowering statement and three raised fists combine to create a piece that amplifies the voices of those from marginalised backgrounds (p18). DEBBIE HARDING Fall in love with part three of our seasonal Stitch-A-Long (p70) as you watch Debbie’s tree grow. You can still get parts one and two to join in with the series.…

To keep your hedgehogs smiling, wrap them with threads in your fave colours Meet your new cross stitch pals – these six spiky wooden bobbins are on hand to help you sort, store and display your threads! No more messy, tangled skeins in the bottom of a project bag driving you mad. To use your friendly hedgehogs, simply hold the end of your thread in place near the back and begin wrapping between the spikes, moving towards the head. You can either fill between each spike in one go or work back and forth and cross the body until you run out of thread. Then, tuck the end of your thread between the mouth to secure it and (if you’re working with similar colours) use a pencil to lightly mark…

I wanted to show you the ‘smile at the top of the stairs’, as I call her. As soon as I saw the Somebunny to Love ‘Ballet Bunny’ design in 218 (Aug 2014), I just had to stitch her. She sat in a drawer for a while then I came across her during the pandemic and, as soon as I was able, took her to be framed. Now each time I climb my stairs, I see her and smile. She looks full of joy. Christine Smith, Thatcham Emily: Ballet Somebunny sure is a happy little thing, pirouetting in her purple tutu and waving her golden wand. We love the fabric you’ve chosen too, Christine. The colourful background looks amazing and complements the pinks and purples she’s wearing perfectly. Well done!…

I stitched this lion for my sister Carolyn’s ‘special’ birthday. She loves big cats and safari holidays, so she was delighted, and I enjoyed working on it because it is so different. What a gift Megan Caines has, to come up with something so delightful. I thoroughly enjoyed stitching it. Jan Farebrother, Winchmore Hill Lynne: We can’t think of a more powerful stitch to mark a special birthday, Jan, well done for choosing a big cat for your sister’s big celebration! It certainly makes a spellbinding portrait. For any readers wondering how to get hold of this majestic stitch, find ‘Mandala Lion’ by Megan Caines at Meloca Designs*.…

Inspired by the pale flamingos at Marwell Zoo in Winchester, and the changing colours of hydrangeas, I challenged myself to morph Bothy Threads* ‘Pink Ladies’ into ‘Party Girls’. Having never attempted such radical colour changes before it was quite a challenge, but I am thrilled with the result. To make them ready to party, I added necklaces and bead eyes. Dot Penn, Hastings Emily: We love your take on ‘Pink Ladies’, Dot, that’s an adventurous colour change you’ve embarked on and it works so well. The bead necklaces are a fun embellishment too and we’d love a night out with these girls! Wrendale Designs animals are such fun and you’ve added to the humour with your Party Girls. We can’t wait to see what you do with the Wrendale calendar in…

Each month we randomly select three subscribers to win a prize as a thank you! This month’s winners are: Suzanne Turner, Leek Nicola Wilton, Windermere Evie Page, Ely Prizes every month! Our Media Ltd, publishers of The World of Cross Stitching, Subs Stars giveaway Terms and Conditions Prizes were dispatched before the on-sale date of this issue. There are no cash alternatives. Winning entries will be chosen at random from all current subscribers. The draw is final and no correspondence will be entered into. To subscribe turn to page 44…

Black History Month is an annual celebration dedicated to honouring and recognising the achievements and contributions of the Black community. It’s a time of togetherness, when people from different backgrounds can collaborate to promote knowledge and learn about Black history and culture. Illustrator Parys’ work highlights the voices and narratives of people from a diverse range of backgrounds, and this design reminds everyone that the very existence of someone can be an act of resistance. Featuring three clenched fists raised in unison, the shades really pop against the purple fabric background for a modern finish. It’s suitable for all, from beginners to more advanced stitchers, and you’ll enjoy the block shading and three-dimensional effect with the backstitch, creating added depth. Back the fabric with iron-on interfacing before stitching the wording,…

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 CONTENTS 30 IN THE SPOTLIGHT Hannah Erskine’s simple solutions for framing 31 WISHES GRANTED Kayleigh asked Jenny for the northern lights 32 FRIENDLY ADVICE Favourite ways fellow stitchers store threads 32 TECHNIQUE FOCUS…

In the frame Q How do I mount finished cross stitch projects without having to buy expensive frames? I’ve just finished a nameplate for my daughter and want to mount it without bulky frames. I’d usually mount my projects using decorative hoops but these won’t fit nameplates. Helen Fawcett, via email A Hannah: Finding the right display for each piece can be tricky. We aim to include a range of making-up ideas in the magazine for everyone to try, so you could have a flick through some issues to find inspiration. We love using these Trimits Hanging Magnetic Craft Frames from Maries Cross Stitch* though, as they’re simple to use and come in a range of sizes from 13cm to 30cm width. They’d be great for nameplates too, as the…

I have arthritis in my hands but used to love to stitch. I want to give cross stitch another go but I’m worried it won’t be possible because of my condition – is there anything I can do? Angela Stanwell, via email Heather: We’d recommend getting advice from your doctor or health specialist as a first port of call, but one accessory you could try is a twin-tipped tapestry needle – it’ll take a bit of practise to get used to, but it’s designed so that you don’t need to rotate the needle between each stitch and it should reduce the amount of movement involved. Does anyone do anything to the edges of their aida fabric to stop it fraying? I have just tried painting the edges with fabric glue and…

Fun facts aboutSiamese cats •Film star Siamese cats include Si and Am from Lady and the Tramp, Tao in The Incredible Journey and Reginald in The Secret Life of Pets. •Celebrity homes that have Siamese cats as pets include Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, singer Taylor Swift and comedian Ricky Gervais. •Originally from Thailand (then called Siam), Siamese cats are known as the wichien-matt, which means moon diamond or white gem. Design my pet! Q Please could you create a pattern of my Siamese cat, Gucci? I adopted her when she was two years old as her previous owner was moving abroad. She doesn’t have the usual markings, she is a caramel tabby point, and I have struggled to find a chart that matches her colouring. Please help! Sarah Halliwell, via…

Durene Jones’ cute patterns are adored by stitchers all over the world. Now fans can sign up to our stitching newsletter to download a copy of the hugely popular Durene Jones Cross Stitch Collection bookazine – for free! Inside you’ll find 194 charts featuring sweet characters, alphabet sets, quick-stitch cards and an interview with Durene at her home studio. Head over to www.gathered.how/cross-stitch-signup or scan the QR code (right) to get your free digital bookazine. And if you’re already a newsletter subscriber, check your email inbox for the download, which will be included in your regular weekly newsletter. SCAN ME…

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PRIZES worth £1,127! PRIZES WORTH £288 Fright night This Halloween, for creepy pumpkin heads, crooked houses, spooky cats, bats and witches, look no further than Durene Jones’* hair-raising patterns, which will see only the bravest trick or treaters knocking at your door. Check out the designs in her Etsy shop: there are ‘Crow’, ‘Cat’ and ‘Pumpkin’ decorative pendibules, while her hangings – ‘Halloween Night’, ‘When Witches Ride’ and ‘Magic Night’ – look particularly effective when stitched on black or dark blue aida. We have 30 PDF bundles including both ‘Magic Night’ and ‘Halloween Night’ to give away to readers this month. TO ENTER Visit our website www.gathered. how/woxs PRIZES WORTH £263 Shops from yesteryear We can’t pass a quirky-looking shop without popping in to have a browse – and the…

CALL THE HOTLINE TODAY ☎ 03330 162 137 Issue 323, September Conjure up your neatest stitches and magic up this exciting design for loved ones. Make extra-special gifts with cute rainbow animals, mark milestone wedding anniversaries with a set of stunning cards and be mindful with a calming and motivational design for you. Celebrate the Jewish new year festival of Rosh Hashanah, enjoy a sunflowers ABC, and more! Your gift: Rainbow card kit by Fiona Baker Issue 322, Aug Popcorn Bear card kit, Summer cottage and walled garden, monkey portrait, stitcher’s travel set, vintage motorbike, coastal birds cards, and beach huts ABC Issue 321, July Fruity gift tag kit, Wallace and Gromit exclusive, black panther, tea shop cottage, caravan sewing machine cover, and summer cards set Issue 320, June Handy…

Stephanie Riley is a healthcare assistant from Littleborough Your recent fave WOXS design? I love the panther portrait in issue 321 (July 2022), it’s on my to-do list. How did you first start cross stitching? I was on holiday 28 years ago when I picked up a cross stitch magazine with a cover kit and I was hooked. Tell us about your latest stitching project… I have just started ‘Caravan Fun’ by Bothy Threads* for a friend who loves camping and the outdoors. It caught my eye because it’s colourful and fun. What has been your favourite cross stitch project? My favourite ever project was a large black cat identical to my cat, Gypsy. It takes pride of place on the wall next to my stitching chair. What was the…

My great-nephew, Elijah Tien Lot, was born in October 2021 and is of English and Chinese heritage. To celebrate his 100 days, a Chinese tradition, I stitched a height chart. It has all the main characters from Winnie the Pooh on it. My niece and her husband used the quote ‘As soon as I saw you, I knew a grand adventure was about to happen’ on their wedding invitations. And now their adventure continues and includes Elijah. So, I added the quote, ‘A hug is always the right size’. I’m sure there will always be an abundance of cuddles now and in the years to come. My niece and her husband were touched by this very personal gift, and it will have pride of place in Elijah’s room. Tracy Squirrell,…

I started stitching this Halloween picture last year, and it has taken me longer than expected. I didn’t use the suggested evenweave fabric, as I prefer aida. I had a look around and found this material, which has a sort of spooky grey background and I do like the finished effect. I’m going to mount it on a board ready for October. June Munday, Leeds Sue: The spooky grey aida makes the perfect background to your Halloween stitch, June! It looks like you’ve used vintage grey stone aida fabric from Zweigart* and stitched ‘Haunted Mansion’, designed by Tiny Modernist* – two great choices for this time of year! Will you have a go at stitching a haunted mansion in 3D with Fiona Baker’s awesome plastic canvas town on page 62? It’ll…

Split stitch is usually stitched using nondivisible thread such as Perlé cotton on embroidery fabric. The needle is literally pushed through the centre of the thread, splitting it, hence the name. For this project, I’m going to adapt the stitch slightly by using two strands of thread and pushing the needle up between the two strands to split them. I’m using the split stitch effect to create the steam coming out of the bubbling pot and on the pumpkin stalk. In the step images, we’re showing the stitches in blue thread on white fabric for clarity but follow the key for the actual thread shades you should use. Cauldron key STITCH COUNT 56 high x 50 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 10x9cm (4x3½in) STITCHED BY Faby Reilly…

Q I would love to see a northern lights cross stitch pattern, I think all the bright colours would look amazing recreated with shades of stranded cotton. Kayleigh Turpin, via Facebook A Jenny: I think that’s a great idea, Kayleigh, and it would be my pleasure! My aurora borealis uses every square of the 30 by 30 stitch area, and a vivid mix of green, lilac, turquoise and blue thread colours. Backstitched stars in white complete the piece. Look skywards for a theatrical display from nature Kayleigh won’t have to travel north to see the light of dawn Northern Lights key STITCH COUNT 30 high x 30 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 5.5x5.5cm (2¼x2¼in) Please note: Jenny can only fit in fairly small designs and for copyright…

× Laura Coffing: Paper varieties can rip so my son is designing a reusable thread card for me and printing it from his 3D printer. I’ve asked for something that’s slim, with space for colour codes, can hold up to 30 thread colours and looks cool. × Emma Harris: Put your threads onto o-rings and hang them from a mini rail. Organise them into number order to find them easily × Liva Ulmane: I organise mine by putting every colour onto a bobbin, sorting into code sequence and storing in a stackable box. This is great for when I want to substitute colours in my projects or design my own. × Dawn Williams: You mean I’m not meant to keep them all stuffed inside a ziplock bag?! × Jainie Jolliffe:…

HISTORY STITCH ROSA PARKS Not only was Rosa Parks brave, strong and beautiful, she was also a professional seamstress and a hobby quilter. This sampler by Sassafras Samplers draws on her strength of character with a quote from Rosa herself, describing her historic refusal to move from her seat on a Montgomery bus, as well as featuring traditional quilt squares to represent her love of quilting. Worked in nine colours using whole stitches only, this is a straightforward piece to stitch but highly evocative, and a powerful way to celebrate Rosa’s legacy. Download the free chart from Sassy Jack’s Stitchery*. Stitch count: 79 wide by 104 high, 14x19cm (5½x7½in) on 14-count aida GEO-STYLE PATTERN STRONGER TOGETHER A dapted from a quilt pattern that was inspired by the life of African American…

Here’s a shout out to all crafty hip hop fans – you’ll want to get your hands on Cross Stitch or Die Tryin’: 30 Patterns for Hip Hop Lovers. Hip hoppers young and older will appreciate cross-over patterns. With classic hip hop quotes and statements to make cool wall art, patches and cushions, there’s Drop it Like It’s Hot, Mo Money Mo Problems, Sippin’ on Gin and Juice and more. Complete a beginner-friendly pattern in just a couple of hours and find helpful tips no matter what level you’re at. Out in paperback (Dokument Press), pre-order your copy from Bookshop*, an online store of independent bookshops.…

Calling all ghosts and ghouls – they’re sure to make themselves at home in this grand old haunted mansion and eerie pumpkin farm when you stitch the set! Designer Fiona Baker has pulled out all the stops to create two tremendously terrifying 3D buildings made from plastic canvas, to stitch and display just like her fabulous Christmas village – available in three parts in back issues 312 (Nov 2021), 313 (Dec 2021) and 314 (Christmas 2021). It’s time to swap out the jingle bells for these ghostly delights instead, filled with spooktacular pumpkins, witches, spiders and even some glow-in-the-dark ghosts flying around and haunting the scene. Don’t forget to check how many of each chart to stitch by carefully following our guide, then cast a spell over your mysterious makes…

Meet Elçin Olmez Cross Stitch Obsession“I’m a huge fan of Pre-Raphaelite paintings. Recreating and stitching this mini masterpiece ‘Flower Picker’ by John William Waterhouse was very special and delightful for me. I hope you enjoy stitching it as much as I did.” www.crossstitchobsession.etsy.com Flower Picker key STITCH COUNT 42 high x 28 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 7.5x5cm (3x2in) STITCHED BY Elçin Olmez This design was stitched using DMC stranded cotton Shopping list Zweigart 14-count white aida measuring 18x15cm (7x6in) Strandedcotton as listed in the key Size24 tapestry needle Medium-weightiron-on interfacing of your choice from local stores *For stockists see page 90 TOP TIP Keep the back of your work neat by an choring all tail ends of thread in nearby stitches Stitch in a weekend Factbox…

ISSUE 325 ON SALE 1 SEPT ROBIN REDBREAST Greet a tuneful garden visitor, its flash of red a welcome sight during winter HAPPY HANUKKAH Celebrate the Festival of Lights with Stitchrovia’s set of vibrant cards HOW MANY SLEEPS? Count down to Christmas with Durene Jones’ exciting advent calendar STAY WARM & COSY Cuddle up to a hot water bottle cover and mug-wrap Your festive bear hug with Forever Friends Send Christmas cheer with a very special teddy in a Santa hat and a berry wreath in his paws EXCLUSIVE CLASSIC CARDS Yule love these Fiona Baker’s blackwork motifs stitched on night-sky blue aida FULL OF BEANS Enjoy the aroma of a coffee pot at the breakfast table PLUS MUCH MORE Markworld holidays with an international Design Library Wis for winter……