Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2024 i The World of Cross Stitching

Maypole Mouse key STITCH COUNT 40 high x 40 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 7.5x7.5cm (2¾x2¾in) Missed a chart? ISSUE 344 Monty is showing his appreciation for Autism Awareness Week. ISSUE 343 Lizzie is in full traditional Welsh dress for a joyous St David’s Day. ISSUE 342 Flossie is all dressed up and ready to celebrate the Lunar New Year. For back issues, call ☎ 03330 162 137 or visit www.ourmediashop.com/world-back-issues Wearing a gorgeous pink floral crown and matching pretty dress, Lizzie Mouse is adding an adorable twist to the May Day festivities. Celebrate a special birthday by stitching this colourful maypole ready to be wrapped with bold ribbons – it will surely put everyone in the spring spirit!…

Every letter writer gets a prize! Star Letter IN LOVING MEMORY Your magazine is a publication I have been with for a very long time and have enjoyed every issue. I particularly love the Design Library. One came very handy when I wanted to comfort a friend when her beloved dog died, so I decided to stitch something for her. I found a beautiful dog statue and thought she might appreciate the gift as a memento and I also saw Maria Diaz’s ‘Art Nouveau’ motifs in issue 292 (April 2020), including a dog just like hers. I was also inspired to write a poem, which imagined her dog, in better times, playing happily in a sunny, bluebell-filled wood. My friend loved walking her dog, Cassie, in bluebell woods, and bluebells…

If you’re looking for your next creative project, we’re here to shine some (moon)light onto this lunar cycle chart. Stitched on navy blue evenweave, Maria Diaz’s latest design is specially made for a double-hoop display and you will be working in three strands to achieve a fuller effect – you could even work on the moon phases in real time, too! We can’t stop admiring the details in the stitched constellations, especially the frosted white seed beads for added texture and shine. To make your celestial 28-day calendar dazzle even more in the night sky, the metallic threads will add an abundance of stellar sparkle. Though remember to stitch in good lighting and to use a magnifier if you haven’t stitched on dark fabric before. Whether you’re an astronomical moon…

PRIZES worth £1,105! PRIZES WORTH £267 Best buddies 8 UP FOR GRABS! Seeing the first buds of spring always makes our hearts sing, and the latest release from Bothy Threads*, by its newest designer Lizzie Spikes of Driftwood Designs, has managed to capture that feeling. With its beautiful spring blooms, landscape teeming with gorgeous greenery, and super-cute mother-and-baby badger, ‘Budding Moon’ is the first of four designs in the Full Moons Collection. Worked mainly in whole stitches with just a few French knots and a little backstitch, it’s perfect for all levels of stitcher, and we’re delighted to have eight kits to give away. Visit the Bothy Threads website to see the rest of the series. TO ENTER Visit our website www.gathered.how/woxs PRIZES WORTH £264 TWICE AS NICE 11 UP…

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…

Tea Bookmark key STITCH COUNT 82 high x 30 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 15x5.5cm (5¾x2¼in) STITCHED BY Karen Purnell This design was stitched using stranded cotton from your coverkit TOP TIP To finish, trim leaving a two-square border and fray the outer block. Back with-iron-on interfacing and use running stitch to attach to the felt Gifts available with print edition only. Overseas gift may vary. Inside your kit… Here are the colours and number of lengths of thread White x2 Red x2 Pink x3 Yellow x4 Light brown x3 Orange x2 Cream x2 Dark brown x5 Green x2 Brown x1 Total: 26 lengths Whole stitches only Factbox × Stitching Time Approx. 8 hours × Type of Stitches Cross stitch, backstitch × Ease of Stitching Beginner…

With your needle and threads in hand, spread your wings with a majestic golden eagle swooping through a stitchy scenic landscape. This intricate design by Amanda Butler is the perfect opportunity to bring the outdoors into the comfort of your home, or to gift to the bird enthusiast in your life. Full of delightful detail, this pattern has lots of different stitch types, including fractionals and a single French knot for the eye. You’ll even stitch the frame so that it looks as if this bird is ready to take flight into the real world. Although this chart may be best suited to experienced stitchers, it is also the perfect opportunity to develop your blending technique and achieve depth by cross stitching in one strand. While this can be tricky,…

Beloved for their pom-pom-like heads and abundance of globe petals, hydrangeas are undeniably beautiful flowers. And it certainly looks like their appeal extends to wildlife too, with these butterflies finding this highly fragranced bloom equally irresistible! Worked in an abundance of pastel hues in whole stitches and backstitch only, it’s a great way to give fine weave fabric a try – this one is stitched on 32-count Belfast linen. However, your hard work will be more than worth the effort when you see the way the subtle texture of the fabric complements the design. Hydrangeas are traditionally given as a gift on a fourth wedding anniversary to symbolise appreciation, so why not stitch this design for your someone special? You could even stitch one or two of the butterflies on…

When the weather gets you down, sometimes all you need is a natural quick-fix to get you back on your feet, but knowing which one will cure your ailment can be a bit overwhelming. Jenny Van De Wiele’s apothecary garden sampler is the stitch you’ll want to keep in your kitchen. It features suggestions of organic remedies that can be used any time you need a pick-me-up. This sampler is stitched on 28-count sage green evenweave for a natural and rustic style, which blends in seamlessly with the garden scene. Don’t be put off by the fractionals in the pattern’s lettering – we used evenweave for a finer finish and to avoid the struggle of piercing aida blocks. If you’re a beginner looking to up your skills, refine your technique…

Solve the clues then rearrange the letters in the shaded squares to spell the name of a songbird (6) ACROSS 1 Item of jewellery (6) 5 Metal tower that carries electric cables (5) 8 Unit of land measurement (4) 9 Tall thin tree (6) 10 Seat (5) 11 Clarified butter often used in Indian cooking (4) 12 Card game for one player (8) 13 Wax colouring pencil (6) 15 Old and ragged (6) 18 Simple vehicle used to carry passengers (8) 20 Chess piece (4) 21 Beneath (5) 22 Accounting book (6) 23 Take part in an election (4) 24 Number of points in a triangle (5) 25 Thick oily substance (6) DOWN 2 One more (7) 3 Exhibition space for artwork (7) 4 Hearing organ (3) 5 Hungry (7)…

From herbal remedies to romantic gestures over the centuries, lavender is a timeless flower and this scent-sational stitch of The Lavender Fairy is sure to evoke feelings of childhood nostalgia. With her delicate wings and fluttering companions, Cicely Mary Barker’s violet beauty is ready to take flight into the spring skies. You will work this charming scene on pale blue evenweave to create the perfect summer’s day sky, using 29 soft pastel threads to add a vintage touch and replicate the pen-and-ink of the original illustration. There are fractional stitches used for the fairy’s face, but with some practise, you will gain confidence in no time and can reap the rewards when you frame this beautifully dreamy project. Sprinkle magic into a little one’s life with this elegant picture for…

Something as special as a wedding surely deserves an equally special cross stitch to commemorate the day, and this gorgeous design is the cherry on top of the wedding cake! Illustrated by Cherelle Brown, this chic design features a bride and groom in a car ready to start married life. You could always make this their ‘something blue’ as the light blue aida makes the couple’s wedding carriage stand out more, complementing the pastel flowers in the garland draped behind. A way to personalise this stitch is to add the newlyweds’ initials to the number plate using backstitch in two strands, or use the ABC chart to stitch their names and the venue underneath for an unique touch. You can also find out more on how to alter the skin…

34 YUMMY IDEAS Stitch these colourful designs by Jenny Barton to brighten up the sunny days ahead × 34 quick-and-easy motifs × Jenny Barton’s design inspiration × Stitches for every skill level × Helpful tips and advice × Unique present ideas for your special someone EVERYONE IS WELCOME Make a thoughtful aperture card for wheelchair-using friends (7) to let them know the more the merrier! Customise this design with their favourite colours. BUNDLED BASKET Filled to the brim with goodies galore, this wicker basket stitch (15) has everything needed for some yum in the sun. Attach onto a blanket or turn into coasters. SKY HIGH A joyous picnic activity is sending a kite high in the sky, so why not turn this soaring stitch (16) into a colourful gift tag? Patch…

Fun, funky and sure to delight the receiver, we have a menagerie of dancing animals who are ready to get you out of your seat to join in with their jolly jives. If you’re sending happy birthday wishes, or just want to brighten someone’s day, these simply cute disco-pet cards are guaranteed to put a smile on their face. The hardest part of this design is deciding which one of these furry friends you want to stitch! From a cow dancing to some moo-sic, to a happy penguin flapping their wings and a hippo flaunting their favourite moves, pick your favourite from this snazzy selection, or stitch them all! These cards will take no time to make as each chart is in whole stitches only, with backstitch for detail. You…

Shopping list × Zweigart* 14-count white aida measuring 10x10cm (4x4in) for each design × Stranded cotton as listed in the key × Size 24 tapestry needle × Patterned card, acid-free double-sided tape and ribbon of your choice from local stores *For stockists see page 82 Toni READER PANEL “This pirate ABC looks so fun to stitch and you could add a personal touch with these to any piratethemed birthday party or event. Maybe you could even make a treasure hunt using these letters for the clues – it would make for an exciting game at the party!” TOP TIP Avoid trailing threads at the back of your work, as they may show through the aida Pirate ABC key MAXIMUM STITCH COUNT 25 high x 25 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count…

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…

Ready, set, shop! Getting started Where to buy your start-up kit – turn to page 78 to see exactly what you’ll need ANCHOR www.lovecrafts.com For Anchor threads www.blacksheepwools.com ☎ 01925 764231 For Anchor cross stitch kits DMC www.dmc.com ☎ 01924 371501 For kits, fabrics, threads & more JOHN JAMES NEEDLES www.jjneedles.com ☎ 01527 830941 For needles & sewing essentials LAKESIDE NEEDLECRAFT www.lakesideneedlecraft.co.uk ☎ 0161 505 1910 For kits, accessories, cards & more MADEIRA www.barnyarns.co.uk ☎ 01765 690069 For fabrics, threads & accessories MARIES CROSS STITCH www.mariescrossstitch.co.uk ☎ 01376 777017 For kits, fabrics, threads & accessories SEW-IT-ALL www.sewitall.com ☎ 01280 821777 For a range of unique fabrics & accessories – home of Fabric Flair WOXS SUBSCRIPTIONS www.ourmediashop.com/the-world-of-cross-stitching-magazine ☎ 0333 016 2137 ZWEIGART www.zweigart.de For fabrics, buy in the UK from Lakeside Needlecraft,…