Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2023 i The World of Cross Stitching

Our September issue is absolutely bursting with ideas to brighten your day – or someone else’s! Perry Abdel-Hadi’s sublime floral alphabet and numbers make beautiful, personalised cards and tags – the colours really zing against the navy aida (p61). Then there’s Megan Caines’ latest mandala animal – a bold badger made up of jewelled patchwork patterns (p26). Do you know a little one about to start school or even a big kid off to uni? Celebrate by stitching one of Rhona Norrie’s sweet bear cards and use the backstitch ABC to add their name or a special greeting (p36). Why not bookmark this project for later and adapt the designs for thank yous to teachers at the end of the school year? I’m excited to introduce a new designer to…

Star Letter ROARING SUCCESS I thought you might like to see some of my latest projects. The ‘Realistic Tiger Cushion’ came from issue 293 (May 2020) and the badgers are from a pattern I found in a charity shop. As soon as my husband saw the ‘Fantasy Dragon’ in issue 308 (July 2021) he fell in love with it. After I’d finished it, he said it should have been a red dragon, so I worked out the right shades of red and pink and decided to flip the pattern round so the dragons could look at each another. As I was finishing that one, the ‘Flying Dragon’ appeared in issue 328 (January 2023) so I completed a trio of cushions! I’ve just started ‘Panther Picture’ from issue 321 (July 2022),…

Inspired by Durene Jones’ ‘Coronation Sampler’ from issue 332 (May 2023), I decided to try and reproduce it in sugar for the celebrations at my dancing class. I thought you might be amused to see the end result. It was quite a challenge and I’m now looking forward to eating it – strawberry sponge with chocolate filling. Delicious! Dot Penn, Hastings Lynne: Stitching, dancing, cake decorating… it sounds like you lead a very busy and fulfilling life, Dot! We’re sure Durene will be as impressed as us to see how well you’ve mastered this Assisi-style design using icing. We hope it tasted as good as it looks, and you and your dancing friends had an excellent coronation party.…

I’ve just framed my latest finished project. It’s called ‘Tailor’s Cottage’ and it was designed by Maria Diaz for issue 316 (February 2022). I’m so happy with it and I’ve already got a spot picked on my craft room wall to hang it. This project took me a long time to stitch as there’s a lot of detail and it required lots of bead work. It also used bullion knot stitch, which I tried several times, but failed so I did my own thing. Linda West, Isle of Man Fiona: Thanks for the lovely photo, Linda. We can see from the big smile on your face that you’re proud of your wonderful stitching, and so you should be – it’s perfect. We hope it inspires your crafting once you get it…

When I found out my nephew and godson Josh was getting married, I wanted to stitch something special for him and his bride Becky. In issue 296 (August 2020) I found the perfect ‘Wedding Sampler’ design – Monty Mouse and Lizzie Mouse getting married. I love stitching gifts for my family and friends, and I’ve done a few of these over the years, which are always appreciated. It’s such a wonderful memory of their wedding day. Edel McSwiggan, via email Fiona: You certainly found that something special you were looking for, Edel. The frame and mount you’ve picked complement the soft colours in the design without detracting any attention from all your neat stitching. The lucky couple both look pleased as punch with their gift and this Furry Tales stitch will…

Inspired by years of tradition, designer Jacob de Graaf, of Modern Folk Embroidery, breathes new life into the convention to depict genealogy in cross stitch with this family tree sampler. Jacob’s fresh fusion mixes traditional motifs with a rich fall colour palette. He’s drawn inspiration from Scottish samplers for the layout of the initials, and the large tree of life at the centre here would usually be associated with Frisian examples. The chart has been left blank either side of the tree so you can work the initials of your grandparents, parents and siblings, and there’s space for your family name at the base. As the design only utilises the initials of loved ones, it’s a little quicker to stitch and, best of all, you can fit more special people…

Q My son has always loved frogs, and his favourite is an Amazon milk frog – the inside of its mouth is blue. He’s about to start his first year in college, and I would love to stitch one so that he can have it in his dorm room as a little something to remind him of home. Kari Darnell, by email A Jenny: I have to confess I’d never heard of this type of frog, but I hope I’ve done the breed justice with this design. Please wish your son good luck from all of us. Amazon Milk Frog 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 reasons…

✖ Julie Cooper: I loop start and finish by running under three stitches. Also, don’t carry thread over too many blocks – run thread under other stitches instead. ✖ Jacky Gillies: The back of my work isn’t always perfect but I try to keep it as neat as possible and I weave threads under to start and finish. I also cut short lengths of threads to help avoid twists and knots and when dragging threads between motifs, I weave thread under existing stitches. ✖ Jacky Bouck-Standen: I make sure my front looks perfect, but I’m not fussed about the back. I make sure there are no knots and I don’t pass my thread further than six stitches to save floss, but the rest I’m not bothered about. No one will ever see…

Celebrate love GREAT FOR BEGINNERS DIAMOND BELLS ANNIVERSARY Celebrate 60 years of marriage with this kit from Nia Cross Stitch*, which can be customised with names and a date using the alphabet included. Featuring two lovebirds in a swirling heart shape that’s adorned with silver bells, the design uses shades of blue and grey to great effect, and is worked in whole stitches, with just a little touch of backstitch for the text and a bit of added detail. Stitch count: 109 high by 100 wide, 20x18cm (7¾x7in) on 14-count aida STITCH ON A BUDGET RUBY WEDDING Flowers, hearts, fireworks and bunting give a party feel to this design from ArtbyMariana* on Etsy. But the real focus is the bold ‘Ruby’ lettering, brought to life with various shades of red for…

Shopping list ✖ Zweigart* 14-count navy (589) aida measuring 12cm (4¾in) high x desired width✖ Stranded cotton as listed in the key✖ Size 24 tapestry needle✖ Aperture card, tag, ribbon, navy paper for backing and acid-free double-sided tape of your choice from local stores *For stockists see page 90 Create personal projects Factbox ✖ Stitching Time Approx. 3-5 hours each✖ Type of Stitches Cross stitch, backstitch, French knots✖ Ease of Stitching Beginner/intermediate TOP TIP Work the whole alphabet as a sampler by stitching every letter in the set, leaving a gap of a couple of stitches between each Blossom READER PANEL “The flower alphabet is brilliant. It’s great to have a stash of various letters, which can be used for such a multitude of projects and people. Flowers are also so…

PRIZES worth £1,145! PRIZES WORTH £310 Mouse work It doesn’t have to be winter for us to enjoy curling up on the sofa with a mug of something warm and a cute kit on the go. Creative World of Crafts* has just the thing – in fact, two things. ‘Mouse Warming Party’ and ‘Love Letters‘, both designed by Elizabeth Davies, are perfect for beginners. At 32x40.5cm (12½x16in), kits contain 16-count aida, DMC threads, a needle, and instructions and we’re delighted to have 12 bundles of both of these kits to give away to lucky readers. TO ENTER Visit our website www.gathered.how/woxs 12 UP FOR GRABS! PRIZES WORTH £247 Sew handy Cotton Club Crafts* has a fun, stitch-themed range of storage goodies that means you can take your favourite projects away with…

CHARTS These are 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 This 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 a different HPI will…

CALL THE HOTLINE TODAY 03330 162 137† ✖ Issue 335, August Send bunches of love to someone special with a cute pair of Forever Friends bears. We’ve got a Pikachu & Piplup hoop for Pokémon fans, a sunny summer sampler, pretty patterns to stitch on clothes and our dramatic ship in a bottle will make a splash! Plus, don’t miss a state fair scene, underwater ABC, plant-tastic Design Library and part 8 of our sweet treats SAL! Your gift: thread bobbins plus a bonus chart ✖ Issue 334, July Lighthouse bookmark, Shire horse portrait, Peter Pan and Tinkerbell, blackwork shark, teatime ABC, retro travel motifs, and a colourful riverside cottage ✖ Issue 333, June Furry Tales card kit, Matilda, wedding sampler, Cornish bay, friendship bracelets, Provence cards, family cushions, butterfly silhouette and…

MARIA DIAZ Be transported to iconic tulip fields in the Netherlands with Maria’s magnificent scene complete with traditional windmill and the iconic flowers (p56). JACOB DE GRAAF Delve into your past to create an heirloom family tree sampler. We’ve included a guide for customising the design to make it truly personal to you (p18). CHERELLE BROWN Cherelle was inspired by the famous Rosie the Riveter image when creating her empowering design, giving it her own modern twist (p68).…

Red Panda key STITCH COUNT 41 high x 38 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 7.5x7cm (3x2¾in) DESIGNED BY Maria Diaz STITCHED BY Angela Griffin This design was stitched using stranded cotton from your coverkit Gifts available with print edition only. Overseas gift may vary. TOP TIP Complete all of the cross stitches before starting the backstitch, to make sure the outlines stand out Stitch for any occasion Factbox ✖ Stitching Time Approx. 5 hours✖ Type of Stitches Cross stitch, backstitch✖ Ease of Stitching Beginner Inside your kit… Here are the colours and number of lengths of thread White x2 Purple x2 Light purple x2 Grey x1 Sand x1 Light sand x1 Green x2 Yellow x1 Dark ginger x2 Ginger x2 Pink x2 Brown x1 Dark grey x1 Light…

I thought I’d send you a photo of the cross stitch I completed while I was in hospital. I was in for 13 days after breaking my ankle in three places by standing in a very wet grass hole surrounding our caravan on the first day of my holiday. I’ve been home a week now but I’m still non-weight bearing for another five weeks. I’m so glad I have lots of cross stitch to keep me sane. Clare Taylor, Southampton Hannah E: Oh, Clare – we’re so sorry to hear about your injury, but we’re really pleased you’ve been able to put your recovery time to good use by stitching this beautiful summery bicycle!…

I just loved the lighthouse bookmark that came with issue 334 (July 2023) so, when the sun came out on Saturday, I had to sit in my garden and start stitching this great gift. It’s Sunday now and it’s all finished and framed. I’ve been stitching for more than 28 years and normally only tackle large kits, but this theme was perfect for me and a sunny weekend in the garden. Elaine Calderwood, Kilmarnock Emily: Well done, Elaine – it’s perfect!…

Hear a rustling in the forest undergrowth? It could well be a badger making its way home, but we bet they won’t be as easy to spot as this colourful one! Add to your animal collection with Meloca Designs’ latest creation, made up of a beautifully coordinated warm pastel palette with striking rich jewel contrasts to bring it to life. Using whole stitches only, this chart is great for beginners. Although densely stitched, the large blocks of colour are easy to keep track of and shouldn’t result in too many thread changes. If you want to get super organised before you begin, we recommend that you sort your 17 gorgeous shades onto an organiser made using a piece of card with punched holes. Remember to write the colour along with…

Q What type of fabric is best for backing fabric on cushions? You don’t normally include details of this in the Shopping List, only the stitching fabric. Lisa Malloy, via Facebook A Heather: Appropriate backing fabric usually depends on the individual project but, for most, a light- or medium-weight cotton is fine. In some cases, felt or denim might complement the design. There’s a huge variety available, but fabric ranges do change frequently, which is why we don’t usually specify particular ones in our Shopping Lists. Look in department stores with haberdashery departments, or specialist fabric and craft stores. You can also buy online, but remember it’s harder to judge the weight and true colour when viewing on screen.…

Q What are the benefits of gold-plated needles and what size do I need? Alexander Monte, via Facebook A Fiona: Gold-plated needles are a bit more expensive than regular tapestry needles, but you’ll find they flow smoothly through the holes of your fabric, and don’t tarnish, so the investment is definitely worthwhile. Regular needles are usually made of nickel, which is prone to tarnish over time or if stored incorrectly. Tarnished needles are much more difficult to stitch with, as they cause increased friction when passed through the fabric, resulting in more knots and tangles. Gold-plated needles will last much longer, and you’ll find your stitching experience much improved, too. Also, some people are allergic to the metal in standard needles, so gold-plated offers a hypoallergenic option. If you find…

It’s that time of year when children spread their wings – starting preschool or joining reception, and let’s not forget those big kids heading off to senior school or university. Rhona Norrie’s six teddy designs are packed with fun scenes and encouraging words that are perfect for mixing and matching to suit all the children in your life. Upper and lower case alphabets are included so you can personalise your stitches with names, or perhaps a phrase that’s special to both of you and is guaranteed to make them feel loved. We’ve presented ours in aperture cards, but you could even create a patch to go on their book or PE bag, or on the front of a folder. Each quick-to-stitch design takes just a few hours to whip up…

THE WORLD OF Cross Stitiching PICK OF THE MONTH Floral delights STOP AND SMELL THE WILDFLOWERS Lesley Teare’s newest design, available to download from Creative Poppy Patterns*, is stunning. In the traditional style of a botanical plate each of the four designs include the Latin name for each wild flower, commonly known as the columbine, pansy, bellflower or geranium. You’ll use full cross stitch with a little backstitch and the odd French knot for stamen detail, in a range of subtle thread shades to complete this quartet. The finished size of all four stitched together is 25x25cm (10x10in), though you might like to stitch the florals individually to make beautiful year-round greeting cards. BLOW THE HOUSE DOWN New to the ‘Fairy Tale’ collection over at Bothy Threads* is the enchanting…

MUG HUGS You’ll want to make shroom to stitch Heather Nugent’s mushroom ABC ALL GROWN UP Celebrate your teen’s milestones with comic-style card designs by Maria Diaz EMBRACE CULTURE Prepare to be blown away by Elian Aboudi’s intricate ‘Tatreez Sampler’ TRICK OR TREAT Make spook-tacular pendibules designed by Durene Jones Promote inclusivity and friendship with Elmer the Patchwork Elephant HOCUS POCUS Fiona Baker’s cat has a secret glow-in-the-dark message LIGHT THE WAY Stitch up a selection of cards and tags designed by MiRu Makes this Diwali PLUS MUCH MORE ✖ Zweigart’s Earth hoop makes a great gift for eco warriors✖ Get part 10 of Durene Jones’ scrummy ‘Sweet Treats’ SAL✖ Cosy up with a warming autumnal Design Library✖ Your cross stitching queries answered by our experts✖ Your stories, inspiration &…

Blossom Robbins from Wiltshire works in lettings and digital marketing What do you love most about cross stitch? I love that it forces you to slow down and be mindful. You can’t rush it, which is something I often do when carrying out tasks. I enjoy the fact I can quietly focus on each tiny section and it makes up something beautiful. Fave WOXS design? I really like the ‘Matilda’ project from issue 333 (June 2023). I enjoy seeing characters from books and this year I watched Matilda the Musical and I visited a Roald Dahl Festival of Light at Christmas. I guess Matilda’s been on my mind. What are you stitching at the moment? I’m pretty obsessed with Caterpillar Cross Stitch*. Currently, I’m taking part in their ‘British Isles…

Thank you so much for the wonderful ‘Matilda’ design in issue 333 (June 2023). It came at just the right time as I had no idea what to stitch for my daughter’s 11th birthday. I decided to turn it into a cushion for her to use while she reads. She’s a real bookworm, and here she is reading in a gold mine! Tamar Walker, via email Emily: What a fantastic gift, Tamar! We absolutely love the way you’ve stitched the design straight onto the matching Matilda fabric. Creating a cosy corner for your daughter to read in is the best gift you could give her, and it’s clear to see how much she loves reading, even when she’s exploring underground.…

I wanted to find a pattern to stitch to commemorate King Charles III’s coronation. I originally wanted to find a design similar to the Queen’s Jubilee pattern, which was featured at www.gathered.how last year but was unable to. While searching for patterns I came across a lovely Furry Tales chart by Lucie Heaton that I purchased and stitched the week before the event. I made some adjustments and would like to share the completed project with you. Debbie Collier, via email Hannah E: We love this fun design – it’s so different to a lot of the coronation samplers around. You’ve done a great job of adapting the chart, changing the bunting to match the Union Jack balloon. If you’d like to stitch more Furry Tales charts, find our ‘Lifeguard Mouse’…

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 Editor Hannah talks about finding the perfect frame 33 WISHES GRANTED Jenny’s designed an Amazon milk frog chart 34 FRIENDLY ADVICE Top tips for keeping the back of…

Picture perfect Q Where do you get your frames from in the magazine? I love the ones you use but can’t always find ones to fit. Maisie Holliday, via Facebook A Hannah F says: As editor, it’s my job to decide on the finished look of each project, which includes choosing the frames. Some designs fit standard size frames, and if we use a specific one that is available on the high street or online, we’ll feature details in our Shopping Lists. However, others may require custom-made frames, which is where you can employ the services of a professional picture framer. They should be able to help you choose between a variety of styles and colours to find the perfect finish for each stitch. We know readers love to try…

Q I’ve got some iridescent white aida but l noticed some of the iridescence comes off onto my hand while stitching – does this normally happen? It’s at least 10 years old. l want to keep the iridescence as it’s a present. Anna Baynton, via email A Heather: It sounds as if your fabric may be deteriorating if the iridescent is coming off easily. High-quality fabrics have iridescent strands sewn into the aida weave and shouldn’t disintegrate in this way, like these coloured iridescent fabrics from DMC*. It could be that your fabric is a cheaper alternative, or perhaps it was stored in such a way over the years that it’s become damp or worn, which might have caused damage to the fibres. It might be a good idea to…

I would like to purchase some more of the wooden charms that came with the chartbook in issue 319 (May 2022), or some like it, as I’m just finishing a beach wedding sampler and would like to add some embellishments. Lorraine Couldrey, via Facebook Hannah F: These charms were designed especially for our chartbook, so we’re afraid you wouldn’t be able to find ones exactly the same. However, search the Charm Supplies* website for beach-themed silver and enamel charms. Have there been any amendments to the DMC colour key for the ‘Flying Dragon’ from issue 328 (January 2023) as I don’t recognise the following numbers: 01, 03, 05, 23, 25, 27, 29, 30, 31 or 32. Your help would be appreciated as I’d like to stitch it for my grandson. Sue…

Welcome to the ninth part of my ‘Sweet Treats’ Stitch-A-Long. This issue, I bring you the mug cake. Super-easy to microwave and perfect for cosy evenings in on your own with a great stitch, these are ideal for when you crave something sugary. Find all the information you need to stitch the ninth part of this SAL on these pages. Follow our guide below on how to stitch each treat and refer to the plan on the next page to check the placement of part nine. If you missed parts 1-8, turn to page 88 to find out how you can get hold of our back issues. And don’t forget to share pictures of all your SALs on our Instagram and Facebook pages – we can’t wait to see how…

Exploring the endless fields of colour in Holland during tulip season has got to be at the top of many a traveller’s itinerary, and who can blame them? The flowers are as synonymous with the Netherlands as the traditional windmills, which you’ll find dotted among the blooms, and Maria Diaz has captured this stunning scene in a stitch that looks like it’s straight out of a travel guide. With winding rows of blooms offering an explosion of colour in a variety of blended thread shades, there are also fractionals and beads for added detail. We stitched our perfect panorama on special cloud-effect evenweave to maximise the sense of a bright summer’s day. Although more suited to experienced stitches, confident beginners could still tackle this project with a little patience. You’ll…

How did you become an artist? I’ve always loved to draw. Art was my favourite subject at school and I went on to graduate from the London College of Fashion. After this I started working within the luxury leather fashion industry designing handbags and luggage. I felt this didn’t give me enough room to express myself or make much of an impact within my community, so I continued searching for a role that would fulfil that purpose and that’s when KitsCH Noir was created. Tell us what led you to start KitsCH Noir I was inspired by my family and friends’ special occasions. Any time I was invited to a birthday or celebration I realised there was a lack of appropriate cards to represent recipients in the right way. I…

The warm evenings at this time of year can result in a late night sunset to enjoy – while also adding to your available stitching hours, too. So why not bask in the ethereal beauty of the natural world on display in this striking silhouette scene? Capture a forest floor teeming with life – you’ll spot little mice scurrying around, diving dragonflies and the seeds of a dandelion swarming across the night’s sky. If you’re a fan of full-coverage designs, you’ll relish getting your needle stuck into this detailed project. The densely worked stitches offer a chance to practise different techniques including blending. You’ll also notice some longstitch for the dandelion heads, which is worked as a single stitch, rather than multiple smaller stitches like backstitch. Be aware the black…