Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2025 i The World of Cross Stitching

ON SALE NOW! JUST £9.99* inc free UK P&P WHAT’S INSIDE! 132 pages of cross stitch inspiration Find wildlife, flowers, scenic views & more Make cards, pictures, gifts & home décor Order your copy today! ORDER ONLINE www.ourmediashop.com/xstitchnature24 OR CALL 03330 162 138+ and quote ‘Ultimate Cross Stitch Nature 2024’ +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. EUR price £11.99, ROW price £12.99. All prices include P&P. Please allow up to 28 days for delivery. Offer subject to availability.…

We are The World of Cross Stitching and we want our magazine to reflect the world we live in. We’re committed to creating content that is inclusive and celebrates the diversity of the cross stitch community. Stitching is for everyone, regardless of ethnicity, faith, culture, age, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity. We have begun work on a plan to drive meaningful change, but we know it’s a work in progress. We want to listen to you, our readers. If you have any questions or thoughts, get in touch at theworldofxstitching@ourmedia.co.uk…

Full of opulence, sophistication and romance, fans of period drama and TV shows, such as Bridgerton, are sure to swoon for this splendid design by Maria Diaz. This distinguished suitor is courting a beautifully dressed lady in a stunning powder blue dress, ready to capture her heart, and hopefully yours, too. Stitched on a marbled effect linen for a vintage look, the unique pattern complements the graceful design. While this is recommended for immediate to advanced level stitchers who are familiar with various stitch types and working with linen, anyone looking to stretch their skills is more than welcome to participate – learn how to work with beads, stitch fractionals and use metallics. The lace on the lady’s dress is achieved through repeat pattern backstitching, so count twice to make…

GET IN TOUCH FOR STITCHING HELP Don’t forget to send all your stitchy questions and design requests in to us! Email us at: theworldofxstitching@ourmedia.co.uk Send in queries via Facebook too: @The World of Cross Stitching Write to: Ask the Experts, The World of Cross Stitching, Our Media Ltd, Eagle House, Bristol BS1 4ST Fun with the Furry Tales gang Q Where can I find more Furry Tales designs? I love the mini-series in your magazine and want to make them all, and I have seen a few larger pictures others have stitched on social media too. I stitch them for my sister who loves mice. Jackie Web, via Facebook A Vicki: We love Furry Tales here at WOXS too, Jackie! Check out designer Lucie Heaton’s* Etsy shop: www.lucieheaton.etsy.com, to find the full…

Thread colours are arranged in shade ‘families’ – these are groups of colours that create a gradient of shading. It helps to look at a shade card for the full palette when making colour comparisons (available from DMC and Anchor) as these are arranged within the shade families already. You can swap threads like-for-like to equivalent shades of another family, ie. light, medium and dark. You may want to change the hue of an entire pattern, or use up threads already in your stash to save money. You can also alter skin tones to create different ethnicities. We’ve included some examples of skin shade families below, but feel free to experiment with your own. You’ll need to select alternatives for mid-tones, highlights and shadows, depending on how many shades are…

As stitchers, we are always thinking ahead to the next season and the next stitch. Our minds wander to the big events and occasions on the horizon that would be made more special with a lovingly stitched sampler or card. In our February issue, we’re looking at Valentine’s, as well as many other designs that will be perfect for Mother’s Day, birthdays and anniversaries! Our cover star, a classic Margaret Sherry spring cat, is the first in a four-part seasonal stitch-a-long, so get started tonight and look out for the summer kitty later in the year. Fans of steamy period dramas will love our trysting Regency couple – the young lady’s beaded hair and intricate lace overskirt make for a challenging but beautiful stitch. Designer Maria has been busy this…

Charlotte Boon is a district nurse from Yeovil Your fave WOXS stitch? As a die-hard Wrendale Designs fan, I absolutely loved the ‘Sledging Foxes’ from issue 352 (Dec 2024). I love the joyful expressions of the foxes, and it makes me reminiscent of fun-filled snow days as a child. Have you taught anyone you know to cross stitch? I briefly got my fiancé into cross stitch with a small DMC kit, however he didn’t quite have the patience to see it through. My nephews are showing interest, so I’ve been stitching issue gifts with them. We’ve recently done the Papa Smurf and Elmer cards. What annoys you with stitching? You can spend hours working on a project and see minimal progress. I’ve certainly learnt to be patient and take it…

With winter soon departing, there’s only one thing to look forward to – spring! Trees restoring their leaves, buds becoming blossoms, the bursts of birdsong – the bountiful offerings of spring are always a sight to behold. And this cute kitty with a bundle of pretty petals is another one to add to our list of spring favourites. Margaret Sherry’s well-recognised illustrative style of the cat with a big, white fluffy belly and oversized whiskers has been converted into cross stitch – and that’s not the only good news! Take pleasure in our four-part SAL of this adorable cat enjoying different activities for each season. Look out for the summer kitty in issue 358 (May 2025). We’ll be displaying them in painted hoops, but you might prefer a four-window aperture…

Nothing ever beats a good nap after a long day of hard work, and this sleeping pooch shows how it’s done, so be mindful and try not to speak too loudly! Heather Nugent’s sleeping dog cushion will be the perfect fit in any dog lover’s home to remind them of their canine companion. This pattern has been stitched on 11-count aida using three strands for a fuller look. Remember to check the symbols carefully as similar colours of white and cream are used for the realistic shading in the dog’s fur – you don’t want to undo all your hard work! For those who are looking to get creative, why not change the colours of the fur or collar to match your own pet or a loved one’s? Turn to…

Angel friend ONE FOR EVERY SEASON Representing each of the four seasons, this ethereal set of a child angel and a friendly companion by Merejka from Stitcher* will be a beautiful collection to have framed in your home. Each design in the series honours the bountiful offerings of the represented season – from apple picking in autumn to dressing in Christmas finery, enjoy stitching a highly detailed, illustrative project to wow everyone who sees. The kits come with 16-count Zweigart white aida fabric, DMC stranded cottons, needle, chart and instructions. We think these would look splendid in ornate, gold frames to enhance the colour of the angel’s tunic and can be displayed together or rotated as the year passes by. BLOOM WILDLY It’s never too early to get started on…

Cross stitch is an enjoyable hobby at any age, so it’s important to recognise if your body starts becoming uncomfortable to help avoid problems arising. Some issues may prevent us from enjoying our hobby, but with a few lifestyle changes, or even a new accessory or gadget, there are lots of ways in which you can still enjoy the process. These simple steps and tools can help ensure that stitching stays enjoyable for years to come. Avoiding injury Don’t let an injury or strain prevent you from enjoying your favourite hobby by following these simple steps every time you pick up your needle: • Ensure your posture is correct by working in a comfortable chair with full back support, making yourself as comfy as possible with pillows, cushions and footrests…

CALL THE HOTLINE TODAY 03330 162 137† ✘ Issue 354, January 2025 Become mesmerised with Anne Stokes’ entwined dragon heart and delight your guests with the cheeseboard alphabet. Enjoy a new illustrative art style with the linocut geese hanging while working on Susan Bates’ asymmetrical owl hoop with winter florals. Find an exclusive book extract by Gail Bussi and kick start your fitness resolutions with Durene Jones’ Design Library. Your gift: A sweet-smelling rose pouch ✘ Issue 353, Spec 3D gnome decoration, Elmer out in the snow, East Asian-inspired triptych, snowy London captured in a snow globe and barnyard animal cards set ✘ Issue 352, Dec Triple Christmas gift, Sledging Wrendale foxes, folk art stag hoop, mini birdhouse ornaments, sparkly penguin at the south pole and carolinspired Christmas clock ✘ Issue 351,…

MARIA DIAZ We love how Maria can turn her hand to a fab range of styles and themes. Choose from her Regency couple (p20) or some quick-stitch love motifs (p39)! JENNY VAN DE WIELE Iowa-based Jenny creates colourful and homely designs that stitchers love. Her ‘Time for tea’ quilt-style hoop is perfect for a cosy winter evening (p47). HEATHER NUGENT Heather regularly comes up with super-creative designs for us, and her latest dozing doggy cushion (p34) is such a lovely make for yourself or a friend!…

With a new baby comes many surprising delights of firsts such as crawling, walking and talking, so why not make them their first handmade gift? This triple-hanging baby sampler is a bespoke gift for a newborn’s nursery and easily customisable with the opportunity to stitch details such as the baby’s name, date of birth and weight. Before you start on any lettering, plot out the letters and numbers on graph paper first to make sure the size and positioning work well in the space. The chart features whole cross stitch, a few fractionals and backstitch for added detail using a limited colour scheme of blues, pinks and yellows, so it’s a great place for beginners looking to stretch their skills. You can also turn the hanging into a traditional birth…

Native to the high-altitude forests of Nepal, India and China, the red panda is recognised for its orange fur, fuzzy tail and adorable face. But, some of you may recognise this furry friend from issue 336 (September 2023) as your exclusive gift, and because so many of you loved it, we asked Maria to design a brand-new set of red panda cards. Enjoy eight wonderful designs of this curious fellow playing with some flowers, snuggled up on a branch, or curled up after a hard day’s work of being too cute. These easy-to-stitch card designs use whole cross stitch and backstitch only, perfect for beginners wanting to start with small projects. It’s always useful to stitch the whole set, too, so have a card ready for a loved one’s birthday,…

PLUS MUCH MORE ✘ Unleash your wild side with Durene Jones’ animal ABC ✘ Celebrate girl power with Maria Diaz’s Design Library ✘ Get started on the third part of the ‘A Year of Joy’ SAL ✘ Your cross stitching queries answered by our experts ✘ Your stories, inspiration & letters… plus much more Amongst the spring flowers This Forever Friends bear is perfect to stitch for yourself or for Mother’s Day! BUZZING BEE KEYRING SWEET AND STYLISH An ideal gift for your honey, Fiona Baker’s adorable bee keyring is your next exciting gift. Made up in a hexagonal hoop and decorated with a blue tassel, you’ll be sure to not lose your keys again with this. Your keyring gift includes: • 14-count aida • 10 lengths of stranded cotton…