Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2024 i The World of Cross Stitching

Poking his head out from underneath the waterlilies, this friendly-faced otter is too cute to not stitch. And, if you look closely, you will spot his froggy little companion perched on top of the floating pad, blending right into the stitchy scenery. We’re big fans of Hannah’s work and her painterly style captures the adorableness of these charming critters. You will work half stitch to create the dappled water effect, with many similar thread colours for realistic shading, so we suggest pre-sorting your threads before you begin to avoid confusion! Why not try using Bothy Threads’* exclusive speckle aida, made especially for Wrendale Designs’ patterns, to add an illustrative touch to your work? For the frame, pick a hue used in the piece to enhance the design – like this…

As summer is right around the corner, it means it’s time for us to pack our suitcases and go on our next European adventure. And what better way to document the highlights of your travels than with postcards painting a stitchy scenery of each location’s magnificent landmark? From the sandy beaches of Santorini to the lush lavender fields in Provence, Lisa Reakes’ latest holiday destination collection makes for the ideal travelling companion to pack in your luggage. Each design is stitched on light blue aida to replicate the sunny skies of these fabulous getaways. Just be careful of the fractionals used in the postcards – you’ll need to use a sharp needle for piercing the aida blocks, or opt for evenweave if preferred. Write your favourite memories on the back…

The tremendous sea turtle is a beautiful creature known for its hard-shelled back, migrating vast distances across many oceans and living for several decades. And we think a fab way to shell-ebrate this majestic creature further is with a gorgeous hoop display. You could even stitch it for World Sea Turtle Day on 16 June, a day to honour these highly important creatures of the deep and promote pioneering conservation work. As this design is worked in white thread on navy fabric, we recommend placing a white pillowcase or white towel underneath so you can see the holes clearly, and also to take regular breaks to avoid eye strain. If you’re new to blackwork, we suggest practising a small section on a scrap piece of fabric before you begin to…

Shopping list × Zweigart* 14-count white aida measuring 10cm (4in) x desired length × Stranded cotton as listed in the key × Size 24 tapestry needle × Coloured card, white paper for backing, acid-free double-sided tape and wooden crate of your choice from local stores *For stockists see page 82 Andrea READER PANEL “All the varied vehicles in this collection are very fun! I think this ABC would look good on a little boy’s bedroom door, or you could have it hanging somewhere in a playroom. Another great idea is that you can have these letters on a toy box to keep all those wheels organised.” TOP TIP Keep your fabric scissors sharp by always using a separate pair of scissors just for cutting paper and card Vehicle ABC key…

PRIZES worth over £1,140! PRIZES WORTH £294 A tranquil haven 8 UP FOR GRABS! Step into a world of peace and tranquillity with this wonderful view of a boat sailing across a sunny bay. ‘The Haven’ from Heritage Crafts* is designed by Mel Rodicq, whose range also includes ‘The Peaceful Harbour’ and ‘Hidden Valley’. These stitches all have a calming vibe and will transport you to a restful place, both whilst you’re working on them and when you contemplate the charming results, which will measure 20.5x20.5cm (8x8in) when finished. We are delighted to have eight of ‘The Haven’ kits to send to lucky readers. Check out Heritage Crafts’ website for more relaxing designs. TO ENTER Visit our website www.gathered.how/woxs PRIZES WORTH £249 ADORABLE TRIO 11 UP FOR GRABS! The coming…

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, as…

Pride Mouse key STITCH COUNT 40 high x 39 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 7.5x7cm (2¾x2¾in) Adorned in all the colours of the rainbow, Monty Mouse is showing his support for anyone celebrating Pride this June. Stitch Monty’s heartfelt appreciation to make a sweet card or vibrant patch for someone who is part of, or is working with, the LGBTQ+ community that they can wear with pride! Missed a chart? ISSUE 345 Lizzie is celebrating May Day by dancing around a colourful maypole. 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. For back issues, call ☎ 03330 162 137 or visit www.ourmediashop.com/world-back-issues…

Every letter writer gets a prize! Star Letter STITCH ON THE WILD SIDE This is my stunning Serengeti sunset project. It’s been finished for a while now as it was my gift to my husband, Christopher, on our wedding day. I worked on it for over two years from our engagement and planned in advance how much I would need to do per week in order to finish it ahead of time. I also made the frame from an old one and painted it to match the design. The mount was custom made elsewhere, and I think the colours work really well together. Christopher loved it, so all the work was well worth it! We live in Westcliff-on-Sea, so maybe my next project will be of a seafaring nature. Thank…

If there’s one thing that can ruin your stitching momentum, it’s losing your trusty needle – and we all know how frustrating that can be when it happens! This biscornu pincushion and needle book set is not only adorned with ravishing ranunculuses but is guaranteed to keep your needles safe and look très chic in your stitching stash. Stitched on cream evenweave for a vintage look, you will use an array of punchy pink and purple threads, alongside shades of green to add a subtle tonal change. Don’t feel daunted by the making-up – just turn over the page for our shopping list and details on how to put together your handy accessories. Joining the parts together can be done by hand or you can use a sewing machine when…

Father’s Day is right round the corner, so what better way to go that extra mile with your needle and wish the special man in your life a fan-tache-tic day than with these delightful and fun cards? Whether he’s your dad, grandad, step-dad, family friend or husband, Rhona Norrie’s entertaining moustache and bow tie cards are a great way to celebrate him this Father’s Day. The sophisticated motifs are worked on 14-count perforated paper, which you will stitch in the same way as you would aida – though be extra gentle when pulling the needle through the holes. Plus, perforated paper is easy to cut out as there’s no fraying, so these designs aren’t just entertaining but they’re easy and quick to stitch. To add to the novelty, dress up…

Papa Smurf key STITCH COUNT 50 high x 26 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 9x4.5cm (3½x1¾in) ILLUSTRATION CONVERTED BY Fiona Baker STITCHED BY Karen Purnell This design was stitched using stranded cotton from your coverkit Gifts available with print edition only. Overseas gift may vary. 2024 – Licensed through I.M.P.S. (Brussels) – www.smurfs.com TOP TIP Choose one of the four greetings and use small, sharp scissors to trim. Addacid-free double sided tape to the back and secure in place Inside your kit… Here are the colours and number of lengths of thread White x4 Black x4 Red x6 Blue x3 Total: 17 lengths Make a special card Factbox × Stitching Time Approx. 5 hours × Type of Stitches Cross stitch, fractionals, backstitch × Ease of Stitching Advanced…

It’s a little early for summer heat here in the UK, but we can feel the warmth already just by looking at this elegant scarlet poppy. Carol’s designs start as watercolour paintings before she creates the charts, which is why the detail and colours have such an artistic feel. For the stitching, this chart includes blended (also known as tweeded) stitches – for this, you need to thread the needle with one strand of one colour and two of the other (refer to the bottom of the key) and then work cross stitches as normal. The vibrant colours really pop on the pastel blue evenweave and the bead and sequin finishes really add to the depth and detail of the design. This pattern is best suited to experienced stitchers or…

Shopping list × Zweigart* 14-count white aida measuring 26x26cm (10x10in) × Stranded cotton as listed in the key × Size 24 tapestry needle × Trimits 21cm hanging magnetic wooden frame (GBTN005-MED) from Maries Cross Stitch* × Medium-weight iron-on interfacing and blue paint of your choice from local stores *For stockists see page 82 Kelsey READER PANEL “This colour palette is just so beautiful! I would love to stitch this for my mother whose home is coastal themed. It would look wonderful hung up with some shells she’s collected from the beach over the years.” TOP TIP If your French knots aren’t showing up as much as you’d like, try using two strands of thread or wrap it around the needle more times How to… stitch with blended threads 1 Check the…

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…

Solve the clues then rearrange the letters in the shaded squares to spell the name of a garden tool (6) ACROSS 1 Tennis stroke (8) 5 Pea cases (4) 7 Shellfish dish (6) 8 Bright pinkish-red (6) 9 Moving staircase (9) 11 Length of thread loosely wound (5) 12 Snooker stick (3) 14 Schoolchild (5) 15 Grand impressive event (9) 18 Room where an artist works (6) 19 An artistic and classical dance (6) 20 Singe (4) 21 Large drinking glass (8) DOWN 1 Most hectic and active (7) 2 Demanding situation (9) 3 Occur (6) 4 State firmly (7) 5 Type of Italian cured ham (5) 6 Style of pop music (5) 10 Canvas fabric with a waterproof coating (9) 12 Soft leather cloth used for cleaning (7) 13…