Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2026 i The World of Cross Stitching

Hello! If you’ve just received your subscription copy or have picked this edition up from a UK store, it might seem a little early to be looking to the New Year, but as always, we stitchers are looking ahead to all the amazing projects to get stuck into. Don’t forget that a subscription to WOXS is a fantastic idea for a gift for yourself, you can ask your gift giver to head to www.ourmediashop.com or send them a pic of pages 26-27 which features our current offer – get a super-handy magnifying lamp with your subscription to help with those wintry evenings. Our January edition is abuzz with projects large and small, to suit all tastes! Wildlife lovers will enjoy Wrendale Designs’ barn owl pair, fantasy fanatics can take on…

Q My partner is French and in France mistletoe symbolises good luck and peace for the New Year. I was wondering if you’re able to design a chart featuring some mistletoe so I can make him a nice card? Thank you! Jen Summers, via email A Jenny: A sprig of mistletoe just for you, Jen! This would look lovely turned into an aperture card, or you can even turn it into a hanging decoration using plastic canvas to kiss under it as the clock strikes midnight. Please note: Jenny can only fit in fairly small designs and for copyright reasons she is unable to chart logos, or characters from films and TV. Mistletoe key STITCH COUNT 30 high x 19 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 5.5x3.5cm (2¼x1¼in)…

The wild side PICK OF THE MONTH TARTAN TREASURES Part of the company’s ‘Wild Scotland’ collection, Vivid Stash* has launched four new designs in their newly certified stash tartan, each one revering the symbols of Scotland. The released kits are ‘Alba the Highland Dancer’, ‘Robbie the Westie’, ‘Malcom the Unicorn’ and ‘Sophie the Wildcat’. Each design comes in a well-packaged box that includes everything you need. Inside you’ll find pre-cut fabric on 16-count aida, one needle, a 5in embroidery hoop, pre-sorted DMC threads, printed chart and instructions. These would be a delightful addition to your home, or to gift to someone who is proud of their Scottish heritage. Browse Vivid Stash’s website for more designs! FOR THE PAGES Pair the joy of reading with the timeless art of cross stitch…

ISSUE 368 ON SALE 30 DEC BURNING BRIGHT Blazing in the sky, this fire phoenix by Amanda Butler is radiating warmth HEALTH IS WEALTH Next issue’s Design Library celebrates healthcare providers BUBBLING BLACKWORK A trio of seahorses is next in Fiona Baker’s deep sea blackwork series ON THE HORIZON A patchwork-inspired idyllic countryside portrait Contents subject to change. Gift(s) only with print edition, and overseas gift(s) may vary. Feline-ing the love for Valentine’s Margaret Sherry’s purring kitties are full of adoration for each other EXCLUSIVE TIME TO RELAX Celebrate their retirement with this scenic card set by Susan Bates PS I LOVE YOU Send Valentine’s cards with this prettified alphabet set by Maria Diaz PLUS MUCH MORE × A trip to Tokyo with Emma Congdon’s snow globe series × Birthday…

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Sprinkled with a sugary colour palette of pastel pinks, butter yellow and baby blues, this folk art hoop will brighten up your winter days. Let spring in with this illustrative and detailed hoop of symmetrical hares surrounded by blooming beauties, reminding us that the season is on the horizon. Perry’s hoop incorporates a lot of stitch types, such as French knots and colour changes, which means this project is best suited for intermediate stitchers. Practise French knots on a spare piece of fabric before adding to the stitching and do this last so they stand out on top of all the other stitches. Watch out for backstitch in different strands and be conscious of the fact the lines on the chart aren’t always the colour to stitch them in. This…

The legendary immortal bird, the phoenix, symbolises renewal and rebirth, rising up from the ashes. In Amanda Butler’s depiction, this phoenix is surfacing beyond the wispy clouds and into the ether. Ideal for a fantasy lover who takes pleasure in mythology, this piece will be captivating on your shelf. A limited colour palette of icy tones is used in this piece, though be attentive to the frequent colour changes and intricate backstitch to perfectly outline the shapes of the feathers. Metallic threads of white and silver, along with the crystal seed beads, add a glint of sparkle and a dynamic reflection to the iced beauty. We used two different types of metallic thread, so remember Light Effects is divisible and Diamant is not. Enhance the frosty look with cool blue…

If you’re used to working with cross stitch kits, you’ll be familiar with the concept of having everything you need ready to start stitching straight away. But when you’re following a counted chart, like those in this magazine, creating your very own project kit of supplies, all in the format you like best, allows for maximum flexibility. You’ll also save money long-term by reusing materials and building up your own stitchy stash as you go. THREADS ◆ First things first, pick your brand – we list conversions from DMC, Anchor and Madeira in our projects, so you can select your preference. We recommend always sticking to a single brand in a design to ensure correct colour shading and consistent thickness. ◆ Remember to check your stash for colours you already…

Tell us about yourself… I’m Italian and live in Modena, a charming town full of tradition, fragrance and colour. I’m a wife, mother and grandmother, three roles I cherish deeply that bring joy and meaning to my everyday life. I have a deep love for home and enjoy cooking for my family, baking cakes and doing so much more for them. How did you begin stitching? I started at a very young age, making dresses for my dolls using leftover wool scraps from my mother, who worked in a knitwear factory. I spent countless hours in the workshop with her, learning a lot without realising it. As I grew older, my passion only deepened. I attended traditional embroidery courses, but my heart always belonged to cross stitch. Over the years…

Away to turn a house into a home is by adding a hand-stitched touch to your space, whether it be a cushion, or a framed picture. This hanging trio would truly make a room more homely and add a splash of colour to the walls. Durene’s three hangings were commissioned to be stitched individually, as each chart is stitched on a different coloured fabric of 25-count Lugana evenweave, but you could choose one colour if preferred. We picked out orange, pastel pink and a baby blue from the range at Stitchtastic to enhance the vivid hues of the flowers. A way to customise the project further is by creating your own colour palette, choosing threads that match the décor of your home, for a cohesive and complete look. Finished in…

Giving a blossoming bouquet is guaranteed to raise smiles and let your recipient know they feel loved, but with these charts, you can give them the joy of a handmade card with a flower that will not wilt. Amanda Gregory’s budding collection of flowers adds a homemade quality to occasion cards. From snowdrops to hyacinths and bluebells, choose a flower you think they would adore and display on their mantle. These are easy designs to stitch, but are densely worked. Some of the designs have similar colours, so manage them well by allowing yourself plenty of time to avoid mistakes, especially with the repeat patterns border as an incorrect stitch will be noticeable. You also have the option to omit the borders and just stitch the flowers themselves to make…

Gemma Eyre Gemma is a retired Nanny from Derbyshire Most recent fave WOXS design? I loved the ‘Straw Toppers’ from issue 360 (July 2025) as this year we got to go to Wimbledon for the first time. We had centre court tickets for the men’s quarter finals. Three words that describe you? Creative, passionate, witty. Thing you love the most about cross stitching? I like that it gives my mind a break. I’m a massive over thinker and cross stitch helps me zone out. Idea of cross stitch heaven? Cold winter day, no plans, just cross stitch all day. Maybe some chocolates to keep my strength up! Memorable stitching moment? Finishing off a piece my mum started. She unfortunately lost her life to cancer, so it’s a piece I’ll always…

The majestic barn owl is a true treasure of the countryside and is loved by many. If you’re lucky enough to catch a glimpse of one in its natural habitat, you’ll not only be amazed by its grace, but charmed by its heart-shaped face and strokably soft features, which are captured perfectly in this design of a darling duo curiously gazing at you. Hannah Dale of Wrendale Designs is recognised as a WOXS favourite for how her stunning illustrations translate into cross stitch, each portrait full of character. With the similar thread shades, remember to stitch in good natural light or invest in a daylight lamp to avoid eye strain when stitching. Purchase the speckled aida from Bothy Threads for a textured finish, or get creative by making your own…

Caroline first started stitching at age 12, when her mum bought her a sampler kit. She stitched for many years, but took a break from the craft during her 20s and started knitting. When pregnant with her first child, she returned to stitching to make her daughter a sampler and has not stopped since. For Caroline, cross stitch gives her a chance to relax after a busy day, “it’s an opportunity to let my mind turn off and it’s great to see a picture emerge from a few colours and a piece of white aida”. HOW IT ALL STARTED The rattan chair inspiration was from a Caterpillar Cross Stitch Instagram reel. Sally Wilson of Caterpillar Cross Stitch bought an old chair and started cross stitch on the evenweave of the…

Drawn to creativity Q I’m looking to turn my cross stitch into a pencil case. I thought about sticking the stitching onto a pencil case bought from a store, but it’s for my son and don’t want it to fall off or rip when he’s using it at school. Do you know where I can find instructions to make one from scratch? Amber Huntingdon, via email A Fiona: Sure thing, Amber – we actually featured just the type of thing you may be looking for in issue 279 (April 2019). Designed by Angela Poole, there are four fun myths and legends designs to stitch, then turn into your very own pencil case following the included tutorial. However, if these designs aren’t up your son’s street, you could easily adapt the tutorial…

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