Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2016 i The World of Cross Stitching

After all the busy preparations behind our Christmas stitching, it’s a great time to plan for a new season of stitchy fun. (Well, at the time I’m writing this, the festive frolics aren’t quite over, but already I’m looking forward to a little more calm…) New designs and fresh ideas inspire me at this time of year – a stitch list to relish! Such as adorable Fizzy Moon, our showstopper cover project – find the pattern on page 10, and I dare you to resist him! There are easy florals in our exclusive by Zweigart, perfect for a springtime makeover. A tablecloth in whole stitches is a fast way to brighten up any home. I’m getting my stitching fingers ready for the vibrant music-inspired designs on page 58 – a…

Star Letter TWO BY TWO This is my latest project, Noah’s Ark, which my mum bought me for Christmas. There were lots of French knots involved which I had to practise on a scrap piece of aida first but soon got the hang of them. It took slightly longer than I expected because I had exams midway through the year, but I’m so happy that it’s finished now. Chloe Turner, Essex Ruth: We love the Cut Thru’ range by Bothy Threads*. Congrats on finishing this as well as your exams, Chloe! Win! The writer of our Star letter wins both ofthese gorgeous kits – ‘Four Bird Boxes’ & ‘Four Outfits’ – worth £27.49 each from Bothy Threads! MORE: For stockists, email info@bothythreads.com or call 0844 800 0221 Movie magic It’s my…

Fast-to-finish ideas! Factbox Stitching Time Approx. 10 hours each Type of Stitches Cross stitch, backstitch, French knots Ease of Stitching Advanced beginner After all the presents are unwrapped at Christmas, and all the visits to see loved ones are over, it’s important to show your thanks to the givers and hosts… and we can think of no better way to do so than with a lovely stitched card! The range of motifs and styles in Durene’s set means that you’ll have a fantastic card to send out, whoever the recipient is. Stitching for men can sometimes be a little tricky, but the ‘flying by’ and ‘many thanks’ designs are sure to be appreciated by all! The little details are so much fun to bring to life, too, from the gingham…

Music theme ideas GREAT FOR BOYS OF ALL AGES GUITARS This chart (113467) by the Vickery Collection, to order from Sew and So*, is apt for anyone who likes a spot of strumming – either to play or listen! The blackand-white chart is over four A4 pages, in whole stitches and backstitch with a few French knots. We recommend it for intermediate stitchers as it has a large palette: 66 shades! It’d be fun to adapt though, with leftover threads. Stitch count – 200 high x 160 wide, 25x31cm (12_x10in) on 16-count aida TRY SOMETHING NEW LOVE THAT MELODY Stitch someone a tuneful keyring with this easy, kit if you fancy trying evenweave over one thread. By Song Thread*, everything you need is inside – fabric organiser of pre-sorted threads, needle,…

Fun facts about tabby cats • ‘Tabby’ derives from the French word ‘tabis’, a striped watermark-effect silk. This comes from the Arabic word ‘attabiya’, the Baghdad neighbourhood where this cloth used to be made. • There are four tabby cat patterns – mackerel, ticked, spotted and classic. • The M marking on a tabby’s forehead has both a Muslim and Christian story behind it – that the cat was stroked by Mary at the birth of Jesus, and that it was a pet of the prophet Muhammed. Design my pet! Q Please can you chart a picture of a tabby cat, as this is my favourite type of moggy! I’ve enclosed a photo of my cat Tiggy, when he was enjoying a snooze and a cuddle up with one of…

Super detailed project Factbox Stitching Time Approx. 130 hours Type of Stitches Cross stitch, fractionals, half cross stitch, backstitch, French knots Ease of Stitching Intermediate/advanced Since it’s the beginning of a new year, we think that this charming design is just the thing to kickstart your 2016 stitching. With fractionals, half stitch and French knots there’s plenty to keep you interested while you enjoy creating a whole year of furry friendship! Rhona has created a beautiful level of detail in each mini seasonal scene that makes this a sheer joy to stitch, from the bumblebees that the kitten is chasing to the tiny robins and bluetits. Being stitched on evenweave gives it a lovely delicate feeling, and also allows you to get a great depth of the backstitch detailing that…

Be on the panel! Get a sneak preview Appear in the magazine Receive a stitchy gift Pamela Goodison is a housewife from Hampshire Why is cross stitching important to you? I find any worries are put to one side while cross stitching as I focus on my project. I love how the cross stitch develops into a picture and any projects I do always have a memory of love and happiness. What drives you mad about cross stitching? When I have to stop and do essential tasks, like household chores or answer the door! I am just a nutty cross stitcher! Fave recent design? The 'Sugar Plum Fairy' from issue 234. It’s perfect for framing and hanging in my bedroom. Which three words describe you best? Caring, sociable, happy. “I…

Adapt the colours to suit Factbox Stitching Time Approx. 20 hours per corner design Type of Stitches Cross stitch, backstitch Ease of Stitching Beginner What’s a more welcoming sight when you come down to breakfast on a wintry morning than these bright and breezy flowers? It just remains to pop the kettle on and settle down to some hot buttered toast for the perfect start to the day! Both new and experienced stitchers will enjoy this charming design, worked in whole cross stitches with a backstitch outline for detail. We love the way the flowers are scattered across the corners, as though growing carefree in the garden. Build each flowerhead using clever shading in a rosy pink and red palette, with a few stitches in cream to create the realistic…

Ruth Southorn Ruth, our Editor, has been a cross stitcher since she was tiny and is ready to share everything she knows Fiona Baker Fiona B is our Technical Editor so she’s all ready to answer your problems on all things stitch and chart related Jenny Barton Design pro Jenny has been creating projects for us for years and is ready to take on your design challenges Fiona Smith With her ears to the ground for the hottest stitching merchandise, Fiona’s all set to search out the stash you need Katriel Costello Stitching guru Katriel has worked in the industry for years, so has ample knowledge to answer any queries CONTENTS 32 IN THE SPOTLIGHT Caroline Lord, model stitcher, on ‘parking’ 33 WISHES GRANTED Jenny’s challenge this month is a…

Try coloured aida Factbox Stitching Time Approx. 18 hours Type of Stitches Backstitch, French knots Ease of Stitching Advanced beginner/intermediate Samplers are a frequently spotted style of design and have been around for centuries. This version brings the tradition right into the modern era by creating an alphabet resembling chalked letters on a blackboard – and all just in backstitch, enhanced with French knots! Each letter is simply stitched using white thread on black aida, then surrounded by a pretty frame in bright rainbow shades made from more backstitching. If you’ve always found French knots to be a challenge, then this is the perfect project to master them! Your perseverance will be well rewarded with a stunning finish. Watch our video tutorial online at www.cross-stitching.com for a simple guide to…

Add sparkle with beads Factbox Stitching Time Approx. 40 hours Type of Stitches Cross stitch, half cross stitch, backstitch, beads Ease of Stitching Intermediate Whether you believe in the myth of mermaids or not, we can all agree that this creature looks a happy soul, relaxing on the seabed caressing her long, aquamarine tresses. No wonder she has plenty of fishy friends with her! You’ll use a variety of techniques to bring this exquisite design to life. Whizz through the half cross stitch to create the shimmering underwater background in two shades of blue, and enjoy the whole stitches and backstitch to shape the foreground. Being fractional-free, this beauty will be great to speed through on aida! There’s plenty of shading, created using a cheery colour palette, before the final…

Have you spotted the gorgeous giveaway on page 81, of the pretty rose stitch kit? Complete with an embroidery hoop for mounting the design, it’s really caught my eye… Showing off projects in a hoop is an idea I’m all-too-guilty of overlooking. (Since then, Pinterest has been fuelling my keenness for hoop-art ideas… check out the ones I’ve highlighted here, plus more on our boards!) I’ve been checking my finishedas-yet-unmounted projects to see if a hoop will suit. I had a hoop in my stash, a bit battered and missing its screw – goodness knows why I was saving it until now – but it’s had a new lease of life with a lick of acrylic paint. A fab upcycling solution! Since then I’ve added to it and grouped a…

With a huggable body, a melting, doe-eyed gaze and a pink rose clutched between his paws, who can resist the charms of Fizzy Moon? Definitely not us! The backstitching in this design is key here, as it’s used to bring out the details of this fuzzy bear and give him his distinctive furry, ever-so-slightly scruffy look! Take your time with it, making sure that you place each stitch carefully – your patience will be amply rewarded. A top tip, too: swap your blunt-ended tapestry needle for a sharper one – a crewel or embroidery needle, as this’ll help you pierce the aida blocks. Finished in a plain white wooden frame so the striking stitching takes centre stage, we think Fizzy will be a lovely addition to your home to give…

Magic scatters! Download Shannon’s delightful designs instantly Magic scatters! CHARMING CHARTS Bursting with beautiful colours and intricate detail, The World of Cross Stitching designer Shannon Wasilieff’s stunning charts are now available for you to download at Creative Poppy* under the name Shannon Christine Designs. Our faves include 'The Garden Fairy', with pretty dress is embellished with pearl beads, and 'The Snow Queen' in her tulle tutu. (This one’ll be a great companion to our duo of exclusives in issue 234, the 'Sugar Plum Fairy' and the 'Nutcracker' last issue, 236!) All of Shannon’s charts on the site can be downloaded as PDFs, so you can start stitching straightaway so head over to put them on your wishlist! SHOPPING SPREE Wouldn’t you love to stroll down this delightful traditional street, visiting…

Q My nine-year-old daughter loves turtles and tortoises. She keeps asking for me to cross stitch one, but I’m having trouble finding a cute design. It’d be great if you could help! Jainie, via email A Jenny says: Hopefully this little design will fit the bill, Jainie! I’ve depicted a friendly little turtle swimming along underwater – why not stitch it on blue aida to enhance the effect? It uses just seven colours so shouldn’t take you too long to complete. 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. Turtle key STITCH COUNT 29 high x 30 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 5.5x5.5cm (2x2in) This design was stitched using…

Whether it’s a local craft store that goes over and above, a designer whose work you adore, or a handy accessory that makes stitching a dream, it’s time to show the love with The British Craft Awards 2016! These coveted awards mean so much to the nominees who win them, as they’re based solely on readers’ votes, so make sure to fill out your form today and share your valued opinion. Not only will you give thanks to those members of the stitching community who make it all worthwhile, but you’ll also be entered into a prize draw to win a year’s subscription to each of three stitchy magazines – The World of Cross Stitching, Cross Stitch Crazy and Cross Stitch Gold! To make your vote count, simply visit the…

Stitch on hand-dyed fabric Factbox Stitching Time Approx. 35 hours each Type of Stitches Cross stitch, backstitch, French knots Ease of Stitching Intermediate Calling all music lovers! You’re sure to appreciate these two designs, whether you’re a cool cat who can’t get enough of jazz or a die-hard rock fan. They’re also a great gift to stitch for guys, or for teenagers who are into their music! With just eight thread shades, designer Jane has cleverly created a collage effect, where the block silhouettes are enhanced by colourful flashes of detail. The simple grey silhouettes perfectly complement the beautiful fabric they’re stitched on, one of Polstitches Designs’ gorgeous range of hand-dyed aidas. There’s such an emotive feeling to these designs – even though the musicians are silhouetted, you can still…

Ready, set, shop! Getting started Where to buy your start-up kit – turn to page 88 to see exactly what you’ll need ANCHOR www.makeitcoats.com ☎ 01484 681881 For kits, fabrics & threads CRAFT CREATIONS www.craftcreations.com ☎ 01992 781900 For blank & aperture cards DMC CREATIVE WORLD www.dmccreative.co.uk ☎ 0116 275 4000 For kits, fabrics, threads and more JOHN JAMES NEEDLES www.jjneedles.com ☎ 01527 830941 For needles & sewing essentials MADEIRA www.madeira.co.uk For fabrics, threads & accessories, buy in the UK from Barnyarns www.barnyarns.co.uk ☎ 01765 690069 THE WORLD OF CROSS STITCHING SUBSCRIPTIONS www.buysubscriptions.com/ world % 0844 815 0049 ZWEIGART www.zweigart.de For fabrics, buy in the UK from Willow Fabrics www.willowfabrics.co.uk ☎ 0800 056 7811 New year, new stitching! Find our hot picks of charts, kits and more over on PAGE…