Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2023 i The World of Cross Stitching

This is our biggest issue yet with a whopping three fab gifts this month. You’ll find a cute card and handy gift tags as well as a stylish bookmark, ready for you to stitch and gift or keep and use yourself. I’m also really excited to present the Smurfs who make their debut in cross stitch. The jolly blue characters are so nostalgic and are now being discovered by a whole new generation. Find a sweet scene as the Smurfs get ready for Christmas on page 10! We know that it’s never too early to start our Christmas stitching so with that in mind, you’ll find plenty of festive inspiration this month. Check out our sparkly Design Library collection (p47), 3D gingerbread houses (p64) and stylish Santa cushion (p36). There’s…

Bookmark key STITCH COUNT 75 high x 25 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 13.5x4.5cm (5¼x1¾in) DESIGNED BY Lucie Heaton STITCHED BY Karen Purnell This design was stitched using stranded cotton from your coverkit GIFT 1 GIFT 2 Reindeer Card key STITCH COUNT 32 high x 29 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 6x5.5cm (2¼x2in) DESIGNED BY Durene Jones STITCHED BY Karen Purnell This design was stitched using stranded cotton from your coverkit Gifts available with print edition only. Overseas gift may vary. Gift Tags key STITCH COUNT 22 high x 16 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 4x3cm (1½x1¼in) DESIGNED BY Emma Congdon STITCHED BY Angela Griffin This design was stitched using stranded cotton from your coverkit GIFT 3 Inside your kits… Here are…

Floral finishes Q I absolutely love the ‘Floral Panel’ project by Amanda Gregory in issue 331 (April 2023). I want to stitch this design on 18-count aida but how much will I need? Also, in the picture it looks like the fabric might be somehow folded to the back, but how does it stay folded? Kari Darnell, via email A Amanda: It’s simple to work out your fabric size based on the stitch count, height and width – just divide each of these figures by the HPI (in your case, 18), to get the size in inches, then multiply by 2.54 to convert to cm. Using this calculation, the design will measure 30x14cm on 18-count fabric. You should then add on an appropriate amount for making up. I recommend adding 10cm to…

Hanging with Shaun Q I've just finished ‘Shaun the Sheep’ from issue 327 (Special 2022). I'd like to make this up like the hanging shown in the mag. I have everything I need, but don’t know how to do this. Can you help please? Lizzie Moor, via email A Hannah E: Magnetic hangers are an easy, costeffective way to display your stitch. They’re also great for designs that are an unusual shape, and won’t fit in a standard sized frame. We source ours from Maries Cross Stitch*, but you may find additional sizes elsewhere. 1 Trim your stitch to fit within the width of your hanger, and however high you wish your display area to be. 2 Fold over 1cm of fabric along the long side edges towards the back and press…

Everything you need for your best Christmas ever! GIFTS! IDEAS FOR ALL TASTES 5-IN-1 MEGAPACK THREE EXTRA MAGS & A DIGITAL CARD MAKING KIT PRE-ORDER SIMPLY CHRISTMAS NOW! Only £6.99 (incl. UK p&p *) ONLINE www.buysubscriptions.com/SimplyChristmas23 CALL 03330 162138 and quote ‘SIMPLY CHRISTMAS 23 PRINT1’ +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. Price for UK Including postage is £6.99, EUR price £7.99, ROW price £8.99. All prices include P&P. On sale from 14 September 2023. Please allow up to 28 days for delivery. Offer subject to availability. Cover image: Getty…

Step back in time Maria Diaz’s stunning vintage portrait of a Victorian lady will stretch your skills this winter PLUS MUCH MORE × Enjoy Santa’s antics with Lisa Reakes’ fun alphabet set × Make modern festive jewellery from plastic canvas × It’s the final part of Durene Jones’ sweet treats SAL × Your cross stitching queries answered by our experts × Your stories, inspiration & letters…plus much more YOUR 2024 CALENDAR Don’t miss this special Wrendale Designs calendar featuring SIX NEW EXCLUSIVE CHARTS for you to stitch! PLUS… Bonus festive chart, designed by Jenny Van De Wiele 2 GIFTS FOR YOU TO SUBSCRIBE ☎ 03330 162 147 CAN’T WAIT FOR NEXT ISSUE?…

× Issue 337, October Stitch Elmer the Patchwork Elephant to make a colourful hanging for a little one’s nursery. Get set for autumn with our seasonal motifs, mushroom ABC, Halloween pendibule ornaments and glow-in-the-dark cat cushion with a secret hidden message. Plus, find our tatreez sampler, Diwali greetings, milestone cards for teens, part 10 of Durene Jones’ Sweet Treats SAL and more! Your gift: 2-in-1 folk-style card and bauble kit CALL THE HOTLINE TODAY ☎ 03330 162 137† × Issue 336, Sept Red panda card kit, Sweet Margaret Sherry cat, mandala badger, floral ABC and numbers, family tree sampler, sunny windmill scene and inspiring portrait × Issue 335, Aug Thread bobbins + bonus summer chart, Forever Friends, Pokémon hoop, tatreez motifs, ship in a bottle, underwater ABC, state fair and…

Karen Slade is a designer from Northwich What are you currently working on? It’s a fish and chips sampler that I’m going to give to my parents as they live in a seaside town and I think that it’ll make them smile. Your fave WOXS design? I love the ‘Horse Portrait’ from issue 334 (July 2023) and would like to stitch it for my horse-mad granddaughter. What do you like most about stitching? I love the therapy it brings. It calms the mind and soothes the soul. What’s your proudest stitching moment? Completing an Emma Congdon (aka Stitchrovia*) ‘Kindness Sampler’ for my auntie and seeing her face when I gave it to her for her birthday. Tell us a stitching tip… Stitch what makes you smile, not something you don’t…

Q As a five year old I used to go with my dad on the farm and ride shire horses. They were so placid and it would bring back so many happy memories for me to be able to make a cross stitch of one of these gentle giants. Mrs Brenda Trowell, Bexhill-on-Sea A Jenny: What a special memory of time spent with your dad, Brenda. It’s been a joy to create this little character for you. Enjoy the stitch – she'll look lovely mounted on a mini canvas. Shire Horse key STITCH COUNT 31 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 she is unable to chart logos, or characters from…

Can you tell me if you’ve ever featured a pattern of a mother and baby owl? Lucy Apple, via Facebook Hannah F: While not specifically a mother and baby, this cute family of owls makes a wonderfully festive picture. Designed by Jenny Barton and worked on dark navy fabric, you could pick a pair to stitch on their own if you prefer. Just leave off the moon in the background and finish off the branch at one end. Download issue 274 (Special 2018) on our app. I'm searching for Victorian stitching cards. It appears that Tokens and Trifles in the US was a great source, but they’ve closed up shop. Do you know of any companies that make punched stitching cards? Mike Bellis, from Calgary, Canada Fiona: Check out The Nutmeg Company*…

Welcome to the 11th and penultimate instalment of my ‘Sweet Treats’ Stitch-A-Long. I’m sure you’ll agree that no dessert trolley would be complete without a classic baked cheesecake, so I had to be sure to include a slice of this iconic dessert before revealing my showstopper next issue. Find all the information you need to stitch part 11 on these pages. Follow our guide below on how to stitch and refer to the plan on the next page to double check the placement of this part. If you missed parts 1-10, turn to page 88 to find out how you can order the back issues. We’re so close to the end now, stitchers! Don’t forget to share your progress on The World of Cross Stitching social pages. Guide to stitching…

Incredi-bauble £8.50 Each HEIRLOOM ORNAMENTS Christmas is all about traditions and for many of us decorating the tree is high at the top of our list, especially when we’ve got a new decoration to show off, like one of these designs by Marie-Anne Rethoret-Melin, available from Creative Poppy Patterns*. Children will love the 3D ‘Tiny Christmas Houses’ and ‘Fun Christmas Characters’ while the ‘Miniature Christmas Cones’ and ‘Cone-shaped Xmas Decorations’ are more traditional. The download includes the charts and makingup instructions, plus details of any extras that you’ll need to buy such as metallic thread, seed beads, glue, cord and rings to finish your decorations. SEASONAL SAMPLER Especially for the dreariest of winter days Faye from Little Dove Designs* has created the perfect reminder that the joys of spring will…

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…

Veteran Mouse key STITCH COUNT 40 high x 31 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 7.5x5.5cm (2¾x2¼in) Missed a chart? ISSUE 337 Grandad’s all smiles as he makes his WOXS debut in one of his infamous knits. ISSUE 336 Dive in and stitch Monty wearing his lifeguard’s whistle and stripe ring. ISSUE 335 Ever the fashionista, the spec-tacular Flossie sports her stylish new eyewear. For back issues, call ☎ 03330 162 137 or visit http://bit.ly/1NwX3Rv Grandad’s all dressed up in his military uniform complete with medals to take part in a Remembrance Day parade. Pay your respects this November by stitching this design as a tribute to hang in your home and teach children about the efforts of all our war heroes.…

Star Letter HOME SWEET HOME I’ve stitched the ‘Christmas Village’ from issues 312 (November 2021), 313 (December 2021) and 314 (Special 2021) to sit on my hearth. I’ve been stitching for more than 30 years, after a long spell in hospital when a fellow patient suggested it as a form of relaxation. I enjoy stitching a variety of projects including birth samplers, photos stitches and Cornish landscapes by Emma Louise Art Stitch, one of your designers. When I saw this project, I immediately thought ‘what a lovely thing to stitch’. It took nearly five months for me to complete. It was a wonderful project to work on and if there are ever any more shops or buildings to expand it, I would definitely stitch them. I got the little street…

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 Winter’s tail Q I’m trying to find the Fabric Flair 28-count white evenweave with silver sparkles that you used for the ‘Cat Silhouette’ project featured in issue 329 (February 2023), but I cannot…

× Barbara Hicks: Aida band backed with felt is my favourite to use. × Dave Wheildon Shiny: Once finished, add iron-on interfacing to the back. This keeps stray strands together and adds strength so it’s more robust. Bookmarks take a lot of handling. × Nicky Thompson: I sew felt on the back of mine. Ideally with my sewing machine so I can match both the aida and felt colours. × April Yelland: I hand sew a piece of felt onto the back with a piece of Timex interfacing inbetween my stitch and the felt. It gives the bookmark some stiffness and a nice padded feel. × Linda Cropper: I always use aida band. I think it makes for a much neater finish and I back it with felt. × Delene Kerr:…

Dreamy décor PICTURE PERFECT TABLESCAPES TEATIME TABLECLOTH Inspired by traditional blue-and-white Chinese porcelain, this tablecloth by Gobelin-L is a real teatime treat of the stitchy kind. Lay out your best china to complete the look, and you're bound to take pleasure in guests admiring the border of teacups and teapots, intertwined with trailing leaves over a cuppa. The design is very simple, worked in whole stitches on an antique white cotton tablecloth with 10-count aida panels. It’s a perfect project for all abilities, but especially new stitchers who are looking for a substantial finish. You can get your hands on the kit from Maries Cross Stitch.* £47.69 Stitch count: 50 high x 350 wide, finished tablecloth 90x90cm (35½ x 35½in) on 10-count aida SIMPLE HOMEWARES SPANIEL PUPPY COASTER The ‘Little Friends’…

when you subscribe to ORDER TODAY Dear stitcher Subscribe to The World of Cross Stitching today and choose a kit to treat yourself to this Christmas! Pick between Wrendale Designs’ popular ‘Little Pudding’ or Merejka’s stunning ‘Christmas Night’. Every issue is packed with more than 75 charts from your favourite designers, and comes with a fab stitchy gift. PLUS, you’ll get FREE delivery direct to your door. All this for just £29.49 every six issues, saving 25% on the shop price. But hurry, this is a limited time offer. Happy stitching! The World of Cross Stitching GREAT REASONS TO SUBSCRIBE ✔ YOUR CHOICE of Christmas kit – ‘Little Pudding’ or ‘Christmas Night’ ✔ Spread the cost – every six issues for just £29.49 ✔ SAVE 25% on magazine shop price ✔…

TAKE PART IN CHILDREN IN NEED Children in Need returns this November and organisers are looking for your help to raise more funds than ever before to go towards their work ensuring every child has the childhood they deserve. How can you help? Perhaps you could host a sponsored Stitch-A-Thon with some friends or host a bake sale (or even a baking competition!) at your craft club this autumn. Head to the website to find a world of printable resources to help make your event a success, including sponsorship forms, bunting, medals, certificates, colouring sheets and much more. MORE www.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk WHERE AM I? Here I am with my copy of WOXS on holiday near an artificial beach and beautiful woodlands in the south of England. The weather was glorious for…

PRIZES WORTH £287 Santa’s workshop As every child knows, stockings are a Christmas must have – after all, where will Santa stash all their little gifts if there isn’t one left out for him? Design Works have the perfect cross stitch stocking, which can be personalised for little ones. The ‘Painting Santa’ stocking kit features Father Christmas hard at work and contains 14-count rustic aida fabric, stranded cottons, backing fabric, a needle, chart and instructions. Thanks to our friends at SoloCrafts*, we have eight ‘Painting Santa’ kits to give away, worth £35.99 each. TO ENTER Visit our website www.gathered.how/woxs 8 UP FOR GRABS! PRIZES WORTH £270 Berry Christmas 25 UP FOR GRABS! It wouldn’t be Christmas without a robin or two making an appearance, and thanks to Amanda Gregory’s* wonderful designs,…

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). Backstitch Backstitch is shown by a coloured line and is added to stitching to create detail. Work the backstitch over individual blocks on aida, or pairs of threads on evenweave. Bring the needle up through the fabric at 1 and take it down at 2, up at 3 and so on (see above), so that you are always working back on yourself. Half cross stitch Half cross stitch is identified…