Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2023 i The World of Cross Stitching

We are so excited to welcome the wonderful BFG to The World of Cross Stitching! We’re bringing the magic of Roald Dahl’s story and Quentin Blake’s charming illustrations into cross stitch form in this iconic pose of the Big Friendly Giant and his friend Sophie (p10) – it’s ‘phizz-whizzingly’ good! This issue is brimming with designs to swoon over so that you can spread the love with needle and thread this Valentine’s Day! Jenny Barton’s happy heartfelt gnome is a quick-stitch way to show your affection (p56), Emma Congdon’s contemporary typography project (p18) has a sweet sentiment at its heart, and Mari Richards’ set of six love spoon cards (p68) depict intricate symbols from this traditional Welsh custom in pretty pastel shades. We have collaborated with the Historical Sampler Company…

While the model photos you see in this magazine are professionally shot, the great news is you don’t need expensive equipment to take your own fabulous pics at home. Just follow my handy tips and tricks to start taking snaps of your stitching like a pro! Lights… Lighting really can make or break your photos but a camera flash can’t be relied on – they usually result in poorly lit scenes, with harsh shadows and over-exposed areas that appear flat and white in an image. • Natural light: This is what a professional lighting setup reproduces in a studio. For best results position your scene near a window, although never directly in front otherwise it will be in shadow from the light behind. South-facing windows will get the most light…

Q What is the easiest or best method for using a chart that comes stapled in book form? I have two charts that are in a book and I photocopied each page and then taped them together. Is this a good way? I have not seen this addressed in your magazine. I enjoy all the advice given. Mary Norton, Arkansas, USA A Hannah E: Great question, Mary – it sounds like you’ve done the right thing. Just be careful when taping the pages together that you don’t accidently overlap any columns or rows of the chart, and ensure you’re using it for personal use only of course. Photocopying a chart in this way is great for making marks on it to track progress too, without damaging the original.…

Espresso yourself and pop the kettle on, or run down to your local café for an instant energy boost in liquid form before you crack on with this retro-style design. Displayed in a wooden embroidery hoop, this pattern uses only easy whole stitches for a beginner-friendly project that’s perfect for coffee-lovers or a general kitchen spruce-up! Featuring just five thread colours in total, this could be a great stashbuster if you wanted to switch the shades to match your own décor or crockery style. Or with muted threads in navy, blue, pink and brown, you can create a hoop with a cool retro-vibe to really perk up your home – almost as much as a cup of coffee itself! Display on your kitchen or dining area wall to set the…

Craftaholics will love the Caterpillar Aida Band Cross Stitch Project Bag from Caterpillar Cross Stitch* for its cheeky message and handy storage pouch. Own your stitchaholic-ness and download a free ‘Craftaholic’ PDF pattern from the Caterpillar Cross Stitch website to decorate the bag. Or stitch your name, project title or your favourite motifs across the aida band. The 28x22cm (11x8½in) cotton canvas pouch is a super-cool safe place to keep your latest WIP, under the caterpillar’s watchful eye.…

Hello and welcome to part 2 of the SAL, which is a winter-warming mug of hot chocolate with wafer straws and a pretty little selection of cakes. All the information you need to stitch the second part of your delicious new Stitch-A-Long is on these pages – it’s just the thing to cosy up your February stitching. How did you get on with part 1, the peach tart? Do share your WIPs and finished stitching on The World of Cross Stitching social pages on Facebook or Instagram. We’d all love to see how you’re getting on with your SAL! Guide to stitching your Stitch-A-Long (SAL) • To start stitching your SAL, make the top left stitch on the chart of part 1 10cm in from the top and left sides…

It’s time to snuggle up and get stuck into your next beautiful stitching project, and this purr-fect portrait could be just the one! Filled with pretty details of a snowy winter’s day, you can’t help but get drawn into the landscape scene, with the kitty-shaped silhouette making this a real treat to gift to an animal-lover or cat-crazy friend. You’ll enjoy working with frosty hues along with brilliant sunset colours for the stunning sky that really ignites this scene. Look out for the blended threads though, to help soften some colour transitions. Never fear if you’ve not used these before – turn to page 64 for our handy guide to this easy technique. French knots on the berries add to the skill level too, but this project could be tackled…

Depicting a Welsh custom dating back centuries, designer Mari Richards has created six beautifully intricate love spoon designs to send to your partner, friend or family members. Originally carved from a single piece of wood, they include symbols such as Celtic knots, horseshoes, locks and of course hearts. The giving of these ornately carved spoons showcased the devotion and skill of the carver, and now you can show off your own skills as a stitcher of them too! These special motifs can be used to commemorate all kinds of events throughout the year, and can be given for Valentine’s, anniversaries, weddings, birthdays, Mother’s Day and more. The pretty pastel colours used in these designs are a modern take on the original wooden custom and make for a beautiful card to…

25 JANUARY 2023 THE WORLD OF CROSS STITCHING ON SALE Step into spring with the March issue (330) and stitch the Tulip Fairy from the Flower Fairies collection, plus a ballroom scene inspired by Bridgerton! Wish your favourite magazine a happy birthday – we’re 25 years old! – and grab your Popcorn the Bear card kit gift, who is helping us to celebrate. 11 FEBRUARY 2023 NETLEY ABBEY VINTAGE AND MAKERS FAIR ABBEY HALL, SOUTHAMPTON Mooch around this fair held every month at a beachside location. Shop for vintage and antique items plus handmade and upcycled arts and crafts. Open 10am-2pm, free entry. www.netleyfair.com 11 FEBRUARY 2023 FROM FLEECE TO FIBRE GRANGE-OVER-SANDS Learn the absorbing art of hand spinning across a weekend in Lake District National Park. Two days of…

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 Look within Perry’s purr-fect silhouette to find a stunning winter landscape complete with black cat, snowy log cabin and cardinals perched on a tree (p60). RHONA NORRIE Fuel your little one’s imagination with Rhona’s roarsome dinosaur baby mobile (p74)! Brighten a nursery with four fun dinos and leaf patterns. MARIA DIAZ From an accordion to a zither and everything in between, Maria’s alphabet set is a celebration of musical instruments from around the world (p23).…

Inspirational pieces like this design are contemporary yet have a timeless quality. It’s also highly decorative, which makes it really appealing, both to stitch and to hang on your wall. This sampler for our times has magenta, lime green and turquoise colours, giving a vintage feel, while ombre style shading brings it into the present day. It’s cleverly done and you’ll find that stitching this, one ornate letter at a time, is a satisfying way to spend your evening – especially as the inspiring sentiment comes into view. Emma uses typographical style to emphasise the meaning behind the sentiment, for example, the word ‘grow’ is in capital letters and has a purple shadow to give it depth, while ‘each other’ takes up the centre of the design, the decorative font…

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 multi-crafter – 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 32 IN THE SPOTLIGHT Sarah Scott of Stitchtastic on stamped cross stitch 33 WISHES GRANTED Jenny’s designed a Green-Cheeked Conure parrot 34 FRIENDLY ADVICE Help from fellow stitchers on spring cleaning stash…

Q I would like to know of a good cross stitch design programme I can use to convert pictures into a pattern that will work on Windows 10 and is not too much money? I really want to convert an alphabet and character picture from one of my favourite authors. He has said I can, as long as it’s for personal use only. I want to stitch one for me and one for him. Lorraine, via email A Fiona: What a lovely idea, Lorraine, and we’re pleased to hear you sought the copyright holder’s permission first. We featured a handy cross stitch software review article in issue 323 (September 2022) which you can still get as a digital edition via The World of Cross Stitching app. In it, we asked…

Q I absolutely loved the blackwork octopus in issue 321 (July 22). Will you be doing any more animals in that style? sampsoncoe, via Instagram Hannah F: It’s great to hear you enjoyed Fiona Baker’s octopus pattern! You’ll find a blackwork jellyfish in issue 296 (August 2020), which you can get as a digital edition via our app. Keep your eyes peeled for more creatures of the deep appearing in a future issue next year too – subscribe today so you don’t miss it, find our latest offer on page 44. Q How do you do French knots? I’ve tried but they drive me nuts – I cannot do them. Laura.j.key1, via Instagram Hannah E: You’re not alone in finding French knots tricky, but we have a handy tutorial and video guide…

Scandi winter NATURE’S BEST For winter wow factor, turn to this stunning collection of Scandi-style cards designed by artist Jade Mosinski for Bothy Threads*. The Christmas card kits include ‘Scandi Deer’, ‘Scandi Hare’, ‘Scandi Dove’ and ‘Scandi Fox’ and they’ll look really effective stitched as a set. Each kit contains 16-count winter blue Zweigart aida, bundled stranded cottons, metallic gold thread, beads, needle, stitch diagram and instructions. A cream triple fold card and envelope are also included in the kit, so you can get them in the post as soon as you’ve finished stitching them. Full cross stitches, beautiful backstitch and beaded detail create these cards, which stitch up to a completed size of 10x10cm (4x4in). Ideal for winter birthdays too.…

In 2021, stitcher Sarah Gilbert was inspired by an Instagram post to dream up the idea of a directory to help stitchers diversify the designers they support, the patterns they stitch, and the businesses they purchase from. A week later, Christine Ray posted about her intent to do a similar project. Sarah tells us how they began Diversity in Stitching… “We want to see broader representation at retreats, in the press, on social media” How did it all begin? In early 2022, we reached out to people who had shown interest in helping out with the project. Christine and I knew both Ana and Alexis, from Ana’s beautiful designs on Instagram and Alexis’s wonderful FlossTube channel. They agreed to join and brought much appreciated perspective and energy! Christine built the…

Is there a sweeter sight than a baby sleeping soundly in their cot? Fuel their imaginations with a fun mobile – the dinosaur’s characterful expressions and bright pastel colours make this set a hit for all the family. Just whole stitches and backstitch ensure it will be an enjoyable project for you to make too. Once you’ve finished stitching, turn to page 78 to follow the making up instructions and transform your work into a roar-some baby mobile! With four cheerful, colourful dinosaurs to stitch, as well as a leaf pattern to provide added decoration, complete as many motifs as you like to make a whole parade of fun and friendly pre-historic characters. We’ve backed ours using pastel shades of felt cut to corresponding shapes and used a simple wooden…

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…

× Issue 328, January Soar with the Dragon Sky Queen! You’ll want to take to the skies with this Anne Stokes fantasy design, and you’ll only have eyes for Peter Underhill’s heart-melting Golden Years picture. Capture the best winter florals with an exquisite panel, feel calm as a winter dove, and discover the jewel colours of Palestinian Tatreez. Plus, a braille ABC, and celebrate the Year of the Rabbit! Your gift: Sew grateful card kit by Stitchrovia × Issue 327, Xmas Floral wreath card kit, Shaun the sheep, The Nutcracker puppets, crystal penguin, gingerbread shape cards, rainbow cards and cute Kawaii Christmas motifs × Issue 324, Oct Hedgehog thread sorters, Peter Rabbit, 3D Halloween mansion, breast cancer awareness cards, British sign language ABC and endangered animals × Issue 326, Dec…

× ANETTE ERIKSSON www.anetteeriksson.com × ARTECY CROSS STITCH www.artecy.com stitch@artecyshop.com × ARTS AND DESIGNS www.artsanddesigns.com ☎ 0207 100 3509 × BEATRIX POTTER SHOP www.beatrix-potter-shop.co.uk ☎ 01539 422020 × BOTHY THREADS www.bothythreads.com ☎ 01900 828844 × CATERPILLAR CROSS STITCH www.caterpillarcrossstitch.com ☎ 01676 530000 × CREATIVE POPPY PATTERNS www.creativepoppypatterns.com × CREATIVE WORLD OF CRAFTS www.creativeworldofcrafts.co.uk ☎ 0116 2713131 × DMC www.dmc.com ☎ 01924 371501 × DURENE J CROSS STITCH www.DureneJCrossStitch.etsy.com × HAPPY LITTLE MOUSE www.HappyLittleMouse.Etsy.com × HERITAGE CRAFTS www.hcrafts.com ☎ 01889 575256 × HISTORICAL SAMPLER COMPANY www.historicalsamplercompany.co.uk ☎ 01268 711918 HOBBYCRAFT × www.hobbycraft.co.uk ☎ 0330 026 1400 × KILTS WIHAE www.kiltswihae.co.uk ☎ 01651 869339 × LAKESIDE NEEDLECRAFT www.lakesideneedlecraft.co.uk ☎ 0161 505 1910 × LIFETIME SAMPLERS www.lifetimesamplers.co.uk ☎ 0115 940 6968 × LOVECRAFTS www.lovecrafts.com ☎ 01409 404 010 × MARIES CROSS STITCH www.mariescrossstitch.co.uk…

Zoey Maull quality control technician from Blockley, Glos Your recent fave WOXS design? My love of cats makes Margaret Sherry’s glamour puss in issue 319 (May 2022) a recent favourite. How did you start cross stitching? I started when I was on maternity leave while I was pregnant with my daughter, who is now 16. Your fave cross stitch project? A daffodil I did for my nan. She put it on her bedside table and it’s still there, seven years after she passed. Your fave project style? I love stitching animals and people. I’m stitching a tribute to The Queen. What was the last thing you stitched as a gift for someone? A 25th wedding anniversary gift for a colleague. It was a design showing two hands joined together, plus…

Bring the magic of Roald Dahl’s delightful story into your world as you join the BFG and his friend Sophie on their adventures. Depicting an iconic pose of the pair, children and adults alike will fall for the charm, as well as Quentin Blake’s instantly recognisable illustration style, which has become synonymous with Roald Dahl’s beloved tales. Enter a world of dreams and giants with every stitch, as you work along to the audiobook or while reading the story to children. With words like ‘whizzpopper’, ‘hopscotchy’ and ‘scrumdiddlyumptious’ keeping you entertained in Roald’s Gobblefunk language, there’s no end to the enjoyment you’ll get from this project! It includes backstitch in one and two strands to create the sketch effect of the original illustrations, so pay close attention to the change…

Q I would love to have you make a cross stitch pattern of my Green Cheek Conure Parrot. I’m just truly in love with him! I got him at seven weeks old and he is now almost four years old. He is smart and has personality. Lettie Hayes, via email A Jenny: Your parrot sounds like a real character, Lettie, no wonder you are so fond of him. There’s quite a lot of backstitch in this small design to re-create the bird’s feathers, and plenty of bright thread shades! Who’s a cheeky boy? Full of clownish antics, this pretty parrot is popular for being small but big on personality Green-Cheek Conure key STITCH COUNT 30 high x 29 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 5.5x5.5cm (2¼x2in) Please note:…

× Mieke Ligtenberg: I am a seasonal stitcher so I tend to organise my magazines, patterns, WIPs and kits by season. × Delene Kerr: I sort my fabric into count and colours, and sort kits into Christmas, sceneries, flowers, bead, smalls etc and sort threads into colours. I pack it away, all in order, and the cupboard is beautiful and tidy. Forward to a week later and it is all mixed up again because I can’t stop ‘playing’ with my stash! × Louise Seymour-Smith: If it doesn’t land on you when you open the cupboard… leave it alone! × Sarah Lou Stott: I organise my charts into a lever arch binder and organise them into categories such as Christmas, wedding, birthday cards and so on. × Jennifer Louise Plahn: I…

Woodland wildlife VALUE STITCH MOTHER AND BABY ANIMALS IN WINTER I n this charming design, by Perrette Samouiloff, she expertly portrays mother and baby animals playing and exploring in the forest; the branches of the trees touched with snow and beginning to blossom. There are 13 colours in the gentle palette, and the piece is worked in cross stitch and backstitch from a black and white chart with some colour detail. Perfect for intermediate stitchers, the chart is available from Creative Poppy Patterns.* Stitch count: 138 wide by 136 high, 25x25cm (9¾x9¾in) on 14-count aida HOOP DESIGNS WILDLIFE ANIMALS A black background adds something special to these portraits by HappyLittleMouse* on Etsy. Surrounded by toadstools, autumn leaves and flowers, all beautifully shaded, the animals look gorgeous on their own but even…

Alexis Henderson, from Colorado, works in administrative healthcare at a large Children’s Hospital “I am a self-taught stitcher! I found my passion for needle and thread about six years ago. I was in pursuit of a hobby because I wanted to do something with my hands, so I made a random trip to a large store and one small cross stitch kit later… I was hooked and haven’t looked back! I love stitching because I can make such beautiful things with my hands and it is such a relaxing and therapeutic hobby. I am most proud of my ‘Rosena Disery 1820’ by Works by ABC. It is one of my favourite projects for two reasons. First, because the original sampler was stitched by a women of colour like myself and…

This is me on holiday, standing on our balcony overlooking a lake. As you can see, I took my copy of The World of Cross Stitching along with me so I could enjoying reading it while sitting in the sunshine. I really enjoy your magazine as it’s full of stitchy inspiration as well as the latest products. Sarah Halliwell, Hampshire Send in your travel snaps! Send in your travel snaps! Send us a photo of you with your fave mag, or you and your stitching, to ‘Where Am I?’ at the address on p14. If you’re featured, you’ll win a Heritage Crafts* John Clayton kit worth £29.99. * For stockists see page 90…

The UK’s No.1 Stitch darling Tulip Fairy for springtime Dressed in petals, Tulip Fairy is one of the sweetest sprites in the Flower Fairies collection PLUS MUCH MORE Woofwoof! Don’t miss the doggy Design Library collection Createbunting for Ramadan with a beautiful alphabet Indulgein a Swiss roll with part 3 of our Stitch-A-Long Yourstories, inspiration & letters… plus much more Yourcross stitching queries answered by our experts POPCORN BEAR + BONUS CHART Everything you need to stitch a luxury card for your best friend – plus an extra pattern! 2 GIFTS IN ONE! Your 2-in-1 gift includes: 14-count white aida 20 lengths of stranded cotton lllustrated card & greeting tags PLUS… ‘Tea makes everything better’ bumper chart by Durene Jones TO SUBSCRIBE 03330 162 147 CAN’T WAIT FOR NEXT ISSUE?…