Indholdsfortegnelse for November 2023 i CrossStitcher

Designed by: Susan Penny Stitch time: 18 hours Stitch count: 27 high x 44 wide (sides); 43 high x 33 wide (ends) Design size: 5x8cm (2x3¼in); 7.5x6cm (3x2⅜in) This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials • White 14 count aida; 23x17cm (9x6¾in) • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Gold divisible thread as listed in the key • Size 24 tapestry needle • Brown felt; 12.5x10.5cm (5x4⅛in) • Red Grosgrain ribbon; 6mm (¼in) x 22cm (8⅝in) • White ric-rac 40cm (15¾in) • Mixed coloured seed beads x 60 • 6mm (¼in) mauve buttons x 5 Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com PLEASE NOTE: On the centre of the chart you will see a brown cross, this is also the centre of your fabric, so count out from…

Hullo! As we approach the end of the year, we often start thinking about what we might want the jolly fella to bring us this festive season. Do you want a new phone, a new car, a fancy new cross-stitch frame? I too often feel the Grabby Hands of Wanting reach out – I mean, I would LOVE a car with butt warmers in the seats! Alas, that isn’t on the cards and sometimes that gets me down. When I think ‘if only I had this, then I’d be happy,’ I remind myself that the only thing suggesting I’d be happier is my perception. The things I don’t have are automatically more exciting than what I already have, so it makes sense! Of course, there are certain things that will…

Our Castle Combe house’s story… Often described as the prettiest village in England, Castle Combe is situated on the southern-most edge of the Cotswolds and is around 12 miles from the Georgian city of Bath. Nearby there are many sites of historical interest such as Avebury, Stonehenge and the Wiltshire White Horses. Our terrace is typical of those found in the village – Cotswold type, constructed in stone with thick walls and roofs made from split natural stone tiles. Most properties are many hundreds of years old and are listed as ancient monuments. Huge effort is made to preserve the beauty and character of Castle Combe for future generations to enjoy. Sampler chart positions We have printed the right side of Tobermory from issue 401 so you can place your…

Designed by: Cheryl McKinnon Stitch count: 60 high x 60 wide (top and bottom) Design size: 11x11cm (4¼x4¼in) Stitch time: 26 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials • Zweigart Pewter 14 count aida, ref:3706/713; 18x18cm (7x7in) x 2• Stranded cotton as listed in the key• Size 24 tapestry needle• Toy stuffing• Buttons x 2 Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com The success of your biscornu will depend on the accuracy of matching each corner and midway point together Make a… biscornu Step 1 COMPLETE all the stitching for the top of the biscornu following the chart with the houses, and working in the centre of the aida. Use two strands for the cross stitch and one for the backstitch. Step 2 STITCH the bottom of the biscornu…

Designed by: Faye Walsh Stitch count: 50 high x 50 wide Design size: 9x9cm (3½x3½in) Stitch time: 6 hours (each) These designs were stitched on 28 count linen over two threads of fabric. *See ‘The Key’ on page 79. You could mount these designs in plastic coasters, available from www.willowfabrics.com, if you prefer! Materials • Zweigart Mushroom 28 count Cashel, ref: 3281/309;12.5x12.5cm (5x5in) x 4 • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Size 24 tapes try needle • Toy stuffing • String for hangers; 23cm (9in) Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com Make a… decoration Step 1 SEW your chosen decoration, then cut the fabric leaving 2cm (¾in) outside the outer row of stitching on all sides. Cut the backing fabric to the same size – you can use the…

Well it’s that time of year again! Get your needle and thread ready for some festive projects to get cracking on in this issue. We also asked our three designers this month to come up with a cute Christmas hanger. Our designers could only use the seven shades of stranded cotton stipulated, and had to work their design onto aida band for a quick finish. Take a look at their fab results below – we’ve featured a chart for each one so you can stitch your favourite! We hope this will inspire you to join in too – turn the page to see what our challenge will be for January – we’ve listed everything you need to take part. THE CHALLENGE • Zweigart white aida band ref: Z07195/0001/10, 15cm (6in)•…

THE ESSENTIAL KIT YOU’LL NEED TO START STITCHING FABRICS Aida is the ideal choice for cross stitch beginners – it is a block-weave fabric, which is divided into squares with a grid of holes. Each cross stitch is worked over one square. Aida comes in a range of sizes which are called counts. So 14 count means that there are 14 squares to the inch and this will make 14 cross stitches. Aida also comes in 16, 18 and 20 count. The larger the number, the more stitches to the inch and so the smaller the design will stitch up. Evenweave is a woven grid of threads in a finer count. Each stitch is usually worked over two threads, so a 28 count evenweave with each stitch worked over two…

1 Cut two pieces of cotton fabric 14cm (5½in) x 21.5cm (8½in), which allows for a seam allowance. Fold one piece of fabric to find the front of the needle case. Using tracing paper and a pencil draw over the trace provided transferring it to the paper. Turn over the tracing paper and carefully draw over the lines with the transfer pencil. Flip the paper over again and position it on the front of the case fabric. Transfer the lines to the fabric by pressing with a warm iron. 2 Using two strands of gold coloured stranded cotton and a chenille needle, fill in the lighter area of the bow using satin stitch. Repeat for the darker shadow area using darker gold brown. Fill the stem areas with brown satin…

There are so many amazing tools available to cross stitch designers these days, but here are a few that I simply cannot do without… THREAD CHART I don’t always keep a large stock of threads on hand, so this handy floss chart shows me the actual colour of the thread I’m wanting to use. Additionally, it helps when I’m designing on a computer to know that the colours I pick will actually work together, as sometimes the colour I see on the screen isn’t quite what I thought it would be. DESIGN PROGRAM Speaking of which, I couldn’t design without a dedicated design program. Ok, that’s dramatic – of course I could but, my word, do programs like this make the job a whole lot easier! Q SNAP FRAME I…

SHARP NOTIONS: ESSAYS FROM THE STITCHING LIFE MARITA DACHSEL (EDITOR), NANCY LEE [Arsenal Pulp Press] During the pandemic, fibre arts newbies discovered and lapsed crafters rediscovered that picking up sticks and string or a needle and thread was the perfect way to reduce stress. As we continue to struggle with daily pressures, in this anthology, writers and artists from different backgrounds explore how their craft can help with creativity and identity, technology, climate change, trauma, politics, chronic illness, and disability. CRAFT YOUR YEAR WITH SARA DAVIES: CRAFTING QUEEN, DRAGONS’ DEN AND STRICTLY STAR SARA DAVIES [Bantam] Dragon's Den star and keen crafter Sara Davies will help you and your family craft throughout the year, with over 70 projects for beginner, intermediate and advanced crafters. Perfect for complementing your cross stitch…

TERESA TINES DOUGHTIE Beads and if I have to use metallic thread, I substitute DMC Diamant – much easier to use than traditional metallic threads. DELENE KERR Metallic threads. Although it’s fiddly to work with, I enjoy the sparkle it brings to the project and the way that it glitters in the light. I also enjoy beading as well but it doesn’t bring the sparkle like metallics. JENNY HOWSAM I would want to use beads and metallic thread because they both serve different purposes. However, of the two I would select metallic threads, because there is such a range of texture and sparkle level in the different threads available that I think the threads are overall more flexible than beads. MICHELLE SMITH Definitely beads. You can get so many different…

Double-check that you’ll be stitching in the correct position on your fabric – it’s easy to accidentally stitch the design on the back cover! Designed by: Jane Prutton Stitch count: 79 high x 54 wide Design size: 14x10cm (5½x4in) Stitch time: 18 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials • Zweigart Light Blue 14 count aida, ref: 3706/503; 24x49cm (9½x19½in)• Stranded cotton as listed in the key• Size 24 tapestry needle• Lining fabric; 24x47cm (9½x19in)• Notebook; 21x15cm (8¼x6in) Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com Make a… notebook cover Step 1 WRAP your evenweave fabric around the notebook to check the position of the front cover and then mark the design area given above onto the fabric using pins. Make sure you have left 1.25cm(½in) at the top and…

CrossStitcher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch O Christmas Tree, we have a materials pack with everything you need to get you stitching right away, and have it delivered straight to your door! Your materials pack contains: • Sampedro 14 count aida in White• Zweigart aida band in White; with gold edge• Skeins of DMC stranded cotton• Iron-on Vilene• Gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26• Magnetic wooden frame• Bulb shaped safety pins How to order: Fill in the form on page 17 or go to www.willowfabrics.com to order your project pack at the CrossStitcher reader price of £49.20, plus P&P. Designed by: Emma Congdon Stitch count: 173 high x 117 wide – Advent tree (top); 10 high x 18 wide – each number; 15 high x…

PRIZES FOR YOUR PICS! EACH ISSUE we will be sending one lucky reader a gift of tea from CrossStitcher! This issue’s prize is New English Tea’s collection of English slogans. The gift pack contains three boxes of tea bags, with 30 bags in each – 10 breakfast, 10 afternoon, 10 English blend. For a chance to win, email us a picture of yourself stitching in your tea break, or where you like to stitch when taking a tea break. Send to crossstitcher@warnersgroup.co.uk with TEA BREAK as the subject. Win! ISSUE 400’S WINNER Kirsty Law is getting in a bit of stitching before starting her bakery shift in the supermarket.…

1 Paint the fairy’s shoes using silver glitter glue, you may have to do several coats to get it dark enough – allow to dry between coats. 2 Cut a length of garden string. Paint the top, side and back of the peg head with fabric glue in the correct position for the hair. The hair should go across the forehead and down the sides. Start at the lowest hair point on the back, and coil the string neatly around and around the peg top, creating hair. Push the string down onto the glue as you work. Finish at the top back making the last coil in the position of a bun, and tucking the string end under the other string. Leave to dry thoroughly. 3 Cut a length of…

No.1 for designs CrossStitcher This book is arranged by themes inspired by all aspects of everyday life. With step-by-step cross stitch instructions and tips for stitching onto different fabrics. Once you start, you will soon be stitching these super awesome motifs onto anything and everything. This fantastical collection of iron-on embroidery transfers by best-selling author Aimee Ray includes 50+ designs featuring mermaids, unicorns, fairies, dragons, gryphons, centaurs and more! Iron-on transfer book makes transferring designs a breeze. Seasonal delights! Stitch your way through the year with 40 creative and fun-to-stitch ornament projects. Projects include Spring Pretties, Summer Sensations, Autumn Expressions and Winter Heart-warmers. This collection features 3 exclusive designs, each with an easy-to-read full colour and symbol chart. Alongside the designs, Zweigart provides detailed instructions on how to adapt the…

These Festive Christmas Packs are just right for getting your Christmas stitching off to a sparkling start, and add a personal touch to your festive stitching. Each of the four boxes available contain: a lovely selection of DMC thread and goodies: ★ 8 DMC Shiny Light Effects ★ 2 DMC Twinkling Satins ★ 1 DMC Christmas Coloris ★ 1 DMC Sparkly Étoile PLUS, each box contains beads, bells or sequins, ribbon and a flexi hoop! The DMC threads included in your box are all six stranded, divisible and can be used for all types of embroidery and cross stitch… DMC Light Effects will add glamour, shine and glitz to your stitching. DMC Satin is silky soft and this elegant thread will make your work shimmer. DMC Coloris is made up…

Designed by: Maria Diaz Max. stitch count: 49 high x 37 wide Max. design size: 7x7cm (3½x2¾in) Stitch time: 6 hours each These designs were stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Make an… aperture card Step 1 WORK using two strands of stranded cotton for the cross stitch and one strand for the backstitch and French knots. Step 2 TRIM the stitched fabric to fit your card, with the design centrally placed behind the card’s aperture. Step 3 ATTACH double-sided tape to the inside of the card around the edge of the aperture. Step 4 PLACE the stitching on the table right-side up, and then place the card on top, pressing down firmly on the tape. Step 5 CHECK which flap will fold onto the back of the stitching, then…

Liz Warner didn’t know what to do with all her unstitched cover kits from her collection of CrossStitcher issues, until she had a brainwave and her ideas for a cover kit quilt was born… Many of our readers love all sorts of needlecraft, not just cross stitch, and Liz Warner is one such multi-crafter! She lives in Witney, Oxfordshire, with her husband of 35 years and her youngest, Bri. “I’ve done craft for as long as I can remember,” she says. “Being the only left-handed person in my family, no-one could teach me knitting or crochet so I tried cross stitch and loved it. Patterns were quite basic and square, not like the lovely choices we have today. I mostly sewed cards and pictures, I liked designing samplers for special…

You may be familiar with Steph Arnold’s embroidery kits, produced through her Oh Sew Bootiful brand, but the last two years marks something of a departure for Steph as she discovered thread journalling and created a whole book on the subject… What initially attracted you to embroidery and needlecrafts? I’ve been a craft fanatic for as long as I can remember, always making and drawing things since I was tiny. I always picked creative subjects at school and further education; Art, Woodwork, Ceramics – and went on to study Photography then a degree in Product Design. I started struggling with my mental health in my late teens and it got to the point that I couldn’t leave the house alone or really live a ‘normal’ life. I’d always found crafting…

Welcome to our latest project that’s a bit more challenging. Start the first part of our Christmas Town design, then stitch it over issues 403 and 404, before completing it as a wall hanging for your home. It will add an instant festive touch wherever you hang it – and is sure to be a talking point with guests! Enjoy beads, blending, sparkling threads and backstitch in this design. YOUR COMPLETE CHRISTMAS TOWN SCENE In this issue we are giving you the first part of our Christmas Town design – the left section. Next issue (issue 403) we will publish the middle of the chart, then in issue 404 we’ll publish the right section. Use our wall hanging instructions once all your stitching from all three issues is complete. Never…

1 Cut a piece of felt just smaller than the front of your card. Glue it in place on the card. 2 Sort your buttons into small, medium and large sizes – this will make assembly easier. The wreath is made up of two separate button circles that are wired together. Starting with the bottom layer first, which is made from the larger buttons. Start threading the large and medium buttons onto the wire while it is still on the roll – you can cut the wire once you are sure how much you need. Go up through one hole in the button and down the other, pulling the wire as tight as you can. If you have four holes, use the opposite ones. Keep laying the button circle on…