Innholdsfortegnelse for Special 2024 i The World of Cross Stitching

We can’t believe this is the last of our Christmas issues, but we know that you’ll be stitching at least one of the many fabulous projects we’ve featured over the last couple of months. We are so pleased to bring you a brand-new and exclusive Elmer design as our cover star, the perfect make for fans of the books. Hot on the heels of last issue’s gift trio (we always include the charts for digital edition readers who don’t get the kits!), we have four new patterns based on Margaret Sherry’s perennially wonderful illustrations with some festive animals. Another sweet family design is our snowman-building duo by Cherelle Brown, Emma Congdon has designed an iconic London snow globe scene and Tiny Modernist brings us a design library featuring Father Christmas…

When we take the time to lookback through all 353 issues of The World of Cross Stitching (so far!) as well as former sister titles Cross Stitch Crazy and Cross Stitch Gold, it’s astounding to see the wealth of creativity on show. We delved back into the archive to pick out some of our festive favourites, as well as asking our regular designers and Facebook followers their treasured patterns too! You might have stitched them yourself, or fancy putting them on your list for next year. We hope you enjoy them! Let us know your favourites by emailing theworldofxstitching@ourmedia.co.uk. You’ll find the patterns still available in our digital editions via the WOXS app, Readly or Zinio. COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS Fiona Baker’s traditional gingerbread village hanging in issue 286 (November…

There’s a magical feeling whenever you draw back the curtains and see the whole street is blanketed in fluffy, white snow. It spurs the child inside of you to immediately get outside to do some sledging, have a snowball fight and even build some snowfolk with your favourite person. Cherelle Brown of KitsCH Noir has immortalised the delightful moment of making a snowman with your sibling in stitches. This is stitched on pale lilac aida to enhance the snow. Be mindful of the abundance of white stitching – break it up into small sections, or mark the stitches as you work to avoid losing your place. The split backstitch is used to create the children’s detailed facial features and hands, so ensure these are worked accurately to create the same…

At last, we have now arrived at the final part of the neighbourhood SAL! It has been a delightful journey working along each house on this street. Once you've finished this part, all that’s left to do is hang it up in a frame of your choice and don't forget so share your finished pieces with us via email or on the WOXS socials! Guide to stitching your Stitch-A-Long (SAL) • To start stitching your SAL, make the top left stitch on the chart of the first part 7.5cm (3in) in from the top and left side of the fabric (instead of from the centre of your fabric, as you usually would). • The shopping list has the size of fabric you’ll need if you’re stitching the SAL in full.…

Gift subscriptions FROM JUST £22.90 GREAT REASONS TO SUBSCRIBE Gift subscriptions from just £22.90! • Free delivery direct to your door • Fantastic Christmas savings YOUR TWO EASY WAYS TO ORDER Visit ourmediashop.com/x24ha Call 03300538660 quote code x24ha This offer closes on the 31st December 2024 and is valid for UK delivery addresses only. The discounts shown are savings calculated as a percentage of the full shop price. For overseas rates visit www.ourmediashop.com. All Christmas gift subscriptions will start with the first issue available in January 2025. Should the magazine change in frequency, we will honour the number of issues and not the term of the subscription. †UK calls will cost the same as other standard fixed line numbers (starting 01 or 02) and are included as part of any inclusive…

MARGARET SHERRY We have been charting Margaret’s illustrations for many years, although she has sadly passed, we work with her family to keep bringing you lovely and fun designs (p62). EMMA CONGDON Emma’s iconic design style works beautifully with this London landscape snow globe, she’s captured the city’s landmarks beautifully. Check it out on p28. CHERELLE BROWN Founder of KitsCH Noir, Cherelle has a contemporary style that celebrates our diverse society with designs featuring black and brown families (p48).…

Gift available with print edition only. Overseas gift may vary. Gnome Decoration key STITCH COUNT 56 high x 56 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 10x10cm (4x4in) STITCHED BY Laura Boyter This design was stitched using stranded cotton from your coverkit. If you don’t have the kit, use items from your stash. Perforated paper can be used instead of plastic aida. Inside your kit… To help you sort your threads, here’s a list of the colours and number of lengths of thread inside your coverkit: Black x2 Dark red x5 Light red x2 Yellow x2 Green x3 Peach x1 Light green x7 Red x7 White x3 Grey x1 Total: 33 lengths How to… make your decoration 1 Use a ruler to find the centre of the plastic aida and…

When your living room needs a refresh, what better excuse do you need to stitch a brand new piece to hang on the wall! The joy of this project is that it’s made of three fairly small, manageable designs that, when mounted and displayed together, look absolutely stunning! Maria’s designs are inspired by ‘The Three Friends of Winter’, a traditional theme in East Asian art around the New Year, celebrating three trees that don’t wither during winter – the bamboo, the plum and the pine. These recognisable icons of nature feature in each of the three panels of this peaceful triptych. Each chart features a range of stitch types, techniques and threads, including satin, which adds sheen to the pagoda roof, the sun and water. We’ve displayed the three designs…

Sprinkling a dust of magic Q Can you tell me where I might find pretty Christmas fairy designs? I’m looking for a medium-sized pattern but struggling to find the perfect design. All the kits I find are huge and I prefer patterns anyway as I have a lot of threads myself. Lacey Holden, via email A Hannah: How about either of these two lovely festive fairies we’ve featured in the magazine? Both based on the artwork of illustrator Helen Brindley, the red dress fairy can be found in issue 275 (Dec 2018) and the pink one in issue 302 (Jan 2021). They both feature brightly coloured holly branches and could even make a lovely pair to stitch together in one design, or perhaps displayed as a multi-aperture frame. Whilst unfortunately…

Deby Young is an online trainer from Torquay Your fave WOXS stitch? I really enjoyed Amanda Gregory’s wreath that was featured in issue 350 (October 2024) and will be definitely stitching that. The bright colours will really pop during these oncoming autumnal nights. What has been your worst stitching disaster? We rescued a dog from Spain and he found a pattern I was working on and ate it. Luckily, he didn’t get to the stitching, but I had to abandon it as I didn’t photocopy it! What has been your favourite cross stitch project? My dad passed away in 1995 and the year after I found a small shop in Portsmouth that sold a kit of the Royal Marine Badge (he was a commando in his earlier life). I have…

When winter rolls around, sometimes all we want to do is stay cosy indoors. However, our colourful friend Elmer has decided to go on an adventure outside to explore the beauty of the season. Strolling with his bird buddies through the fluffy snow, Elmer is enjoying his time in the fresh outdoors. Elmer the Patchwork Elephant is vibrant in colour but it also means he’s very easy to stitch as all colours are worked in blocks of whole stitches – though keep checking the chart for the placement of the snow! The design is worked on 14-count royal blue aida, so we suggest using three strands for fuller coverage on the dark fabric. Some colours need multiple skeins, therefore be sure to refer to the bottom of the key to…

With its markets, seasonal decorations and plethora of festive lighting, London becomes joyful during Christmastime. Bringing to life with stitches the charm of the city when it’s covered with snow (as rare as that is!), Emma Congdon of Stitchrovia has perfectly encapsulated London in a snow globe to keep for years to come. Stitched on light blue aida to make the snow stand out, you’ll be working exclusively using whole stitches with very little backstitch for detail – such as on Big Ben and the London Eye – making it a very easy project for beginners to dip their toe into cross stitching. Frequently refer back to the key as there are some similar shades of cotton, this will help avoid making any mistakes. Make it an extra special gift,…

Simply Scandi PICK OF THE MONTH PAPER MAKES FOR THE TREE When we’re in a pinch, especially with the abundance of projects we have on our to-stitch list, sometimes something simple motivates us to keep going meaning we can at least finish something. These ‘Scandinavian Partridge’ and ‘Dala Horse’ ornament kits by Ann’s Orchard Needlework* are stitched on perforated paper, then can either be backed with white card or joined together to create double-sided ornaments before being hung with red ric-rac ribbon. Whether you decide to buy both kits as a bundle for yourself or to pass onto someone else, these simply stunning ornaments will never go out of style on your tree. JOLLY JUMPER Sometimes not all festive jumpers have to be quintessentially ugly, especially as Bobo Stitch’s* oh-sew-sweet…

It’s not just us humans who enjoy the magic of the season – with the twinkling decorations, the joy of giving and receiving – but these little pals like to join in on the festivities, too! Wearing jolly Santa hats, Margaret Sherry’s animal card set will be sure to raise smiles on those who receive a charming critter through their letterbox. As the season calls for getting projects done as quick as you can, these can get finished up in no time, so you can get cosy on the sofa as you while away the rest of the day with some swift stitching. For beginners who are looking to venture into something more intermediate, practise your French knots on a scrap piece of fabric first, or simply use a small…