Indholdsfortegnelse for Summer 2024 i CrossStitcher

Jolly Holidays Karen Carter fans will be delighted to hear that she’s got a new collection of designs out that are ideal for anyone wanting to get in the holiday spirit! Her four Beach Hut kits are perfect for this time of year when we’re all be looking forward to a holiday, or even a day, by the sea! Choose from Blue Beach Hut (BHBL1745), Green Beach Hut (BHGR1746), Pink Beach Hut (BHPI1747) and Yellow Beach Hut (BHYE1748). They are available on 14 count aida and contain whole crosses and outlining only. Each design measures 15x17cm – to order a kit, visit www.hcrafts.com. FIRM FAVOURITES: SARAH COLLETT Designers share with us their top stitching essentials STORAGE SOLUTIONS! I always have multiple projects on the go (n+1 anyone?) and I like…

Designed by: Maria Diaz Max. stitch count: 46 high x 35 wide  Max. design size: 8.5x6.5cm (3¼x2⅝in) Stitch time: 7½ hours each These designs were stitched on 28 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. Make an… aperture card Step 1 WORK using two strands of stranded cotton for the cross stitch and half cross stitch, and one strand for the backstitch. The tutu and the laces on the ballet pumps are worked in Perlé 5. Make each long stitch the length of the individual purple lines on the chart. 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…

Susanne Hopkins has been reading CrossStitcher almost as long as we’ve been around! She lives in the Brighton and Hove area, and her garden and its visitors have proved beautiful sources of inspiration for her cross stitch work… Susanne’s first cross stitch was a little kit that she stitched for the birth of a friend’s baby. “It was so enjoyable and something different to give,” she enthuses. “At just the same time, CrossStitcher had launched. The first magazine I bought was in February 1993, issue 3. So, I have been stitching for 31 years now!” “I have kept all the magazines; many have little post-it notes at the top to remind me what is in each issue that appeals to me.” Family and friends have helped to keep Susanne motivated…

Make a… bag Step 1 PLACE the linen landscape, then stitch the dragonfly in the centre of the fabric, using two strands for the cross stitch, two for the half cross stitch, and one for the backstitch. Step 2 FRAY the top edge of the linen, by removing two fabric threads. Step 3 THREAD your sheer ribbon onto a bodkin or large-eyed tapestry needle. Make a knot at the end of the ribbon. Following the chart for position, stitch each wing, making sure the ribbon lays flat on the stitching. Finish on the reverse side, then tie a knot in the end before cutting the ribbon. Using a sewing needle and thread, secure the knots to the back of the cross stitch. Step 4 WITH right sides facing, bring the…

Use our designs as mini badges instead! Complete them without adding an elastic hair bobble but using a brooch back instead Designed by: Fiona Crouch Max. stitch count: 18 high x 19 wide Design size: 3.5x3.5cm (1⅜x1⅜in) Stitch time: 1½ hours These designs were stitched on 27 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. Make a… hair bobble Step 1 CUT around the stitching, using the template provided on the button packaging so that your stitching is in the centre of a 6.5cm (2½in) circle. Step 2 PULL your fabric around the button front as tight as you can. If you like, use a small piece of double-sided tape to hold your fabric in place. Step 3 USE your fingernail to tighten and smooth any lumpy areas around the perimeter…

Explore a diverse array of exclusive patterns crafted to inspire and delight, featuring everything from graceful florals to charming motifs. MASTER YOUR CRAFT: Elevate your skills with expert tips, step-by-step tutorials, and insider secrets. Create stunning masterpieces with the guidance of seasoned stitchers. PERFECT FOR ALL SKILL LEVELS: Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting, CrossStitcher Magazine caters to all. Find projects that match your skill and style in your stitching paradise. Why should I choose digital? A digital subscription isn’t just a fantastic way to save money. It’s also the top choice for environmentally conscious readers. Dive into your stitching passion from any location, accessing your charts whenever and wherever you desire, on any device. Take a look at all the great offers we have waiting for you… bit.ly/CROSPM…

“I was inspired by the saying on the watch pincushion on page 26 and so decided to design a scissor fob based on the headline. I stitched mine on 28 count evenweave and then simply backed and stuffed it before adding a length of ribbon to attach it to my scissors. And as the saying goes – a stitch in time will save me nine when I am next looking for my scissors in my very disorganised stitching bag!” SHOW OFF WHAT OR WHERE YOU STITCH… WE’D love to see what or where you stitch on your break. Send to crossstitcher@warnersgroup.co.uk with TEA BREAK as the subject. If you’re featured you’ll receive a mystery prize! ISSUE 408’S TEA BREAK WINNER “When the sun’s out, I love to take a break…

Hullo! Summer is in the air, which means the magic of fresh days and fresh projects! Any excuse, right? In these articles, I often talk about how we can work on positive mental health, but sometimes it’s nice to push the personal growth game aside for a bit and just enjoy where we are. Whether things are going swimmingly for you or life has been a bit bumpy, it’s worth taking the time to occasionally put all the grown-up life stuff to the side and ignore it for a few hours. I promise (for better or worse) it’ll still be there when you get back. It can feel never-ending, can’t it – the forever-long list of things that need doing, mixed in with the unexpected twists and turns that life…

Every issue we are giving you a FREE calendar download to print out and attach your stitching to display in your home. Head to our CrossStitcher Facebook Digital Downloads page… Designed by: Emma Congdon Stitch count: 46 high x 46 wide  Design size: 8.5x8.5cm (3¼x 3¼in) Stitch time: 3 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. How to… join our Stitch-A-Long We’re unveiling a new monthly calender which will run from January to December 24. Over the year we will be bringing you 12 seasonal designs that can be used for birthday or anniversaries, one for each month of the year. They can be stitched as individual designs as we have done, or if you prefer stitch them all together to make a fun calendar. The SAL…

Make a… watch pincushion Step 1 STITCH the design in the centre of one piece of evenweave fabric using two strands for the cross stitch and one for the backstitch and French knots. Step 2 FROM your milk bottle cut a piece of flat plastic just larger than your stitching – round off the corners to stop them coming through the fabric once the watch is assembled. Step 3 TURN over the edges of the stitched fabric, leaving 6mm (¼in) of unstitched fabric around the design. Repeat for the other piece of evenweave. Pin the two layers together with the stitching facing outwards. Secure your two plastic bobbles together by slipping one through the other to create a reef knot – this will make it long enough to go around…

Designed by: Durene Jones Max. stitch count: 47 high x 38 wide Design size: 8.5x7cm (3⅜x2¾in)  Stitch time: 5 hours each These designs were stitched on 14 count aida fabric. 8 CARD PACK OFFER We have a special card pack containing six rectangular and two square aperture cards in the colours shown in the main pictures. With eight white envelopes included, it is available to purchase from www.willowfabrics.com for £6.80, plus P&P. *See ‘The Key’ on page 79. Materials For each card • Sampedro White 14 count aida; 10x15cm (4x6in)• Stranded cotton as listed in the key• Size 24 tapestry needle• Card blank, with a 10x8cm (4x31⁄8in) rectangular aperture OR an 8x8cm (31⁄8x31⁄8in) square aperture Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com Always wash your hands before stitching to avoid staining the fabric or…

Not many people can say, they’ve built a cross-stitch business, a loving stitch community, and host events while on the road. But Allyssa Westhoek can! We chatted with her to find out her secrets to success… A pattern club, a Stitch-A-Long, an online and wholesale shop – you’ve got so many aspects of cross-stitch covered! How did this come about? I definitely started small. I‘d done pixel art as a hobby through school, and, after seeing cross-stitch patterns on Etsy, I thought I’d try my hand at it. When those started to sell, I decided to make kits. I did everything by hand – cutting fabric, choosing thread, printing, and packaging – and attended markets and craft conventions. As things got busier, balancing my job and making kits became tough.…

Welcome to La Dolce Vita! Whether you’re off to Europe this summer, or having to stay at home, this pretty Italian street scene will raise a smile. Stitch it to remind you of holidays past, or while you dream of escaping for a break to Italy in the future. Whatever your plans, this detailed project will keep you busy at your hoop for hours, with blending, half stitching and French knots to enjoy. Designed by: Amanda Butler  Stitch count: 180 high x 120 wide Design size: 33x22cm (13x8⅝in)  Stitch time: 111 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials • Sampedro White 14 count aida; 50x40cm (19x15¾in)• Stranded cotton as listed in the key• Size 24 tapestry needle• Frame with a 35x27cm (13¾x10⅝in) aperture• Mount board to…

CROSS-STITCH IN THE FOREST: 25 PROJECTS TO CAPTURE THE BEAUTY OF NATURE MAX PIGEON [Page Street Publishing] Immerse yourself in the tranquillity of nature with 25 cross-stitch projects that capture the beauty of the forest. These modern designs range from minimalist tree motifs to intricate landscape masterpieces. With expert guidance from designer Max Pigeon, recreating the peaceful world of the woods is made easy. These patterns offer both beginners and experienced stitchers a variety of challenges. STITCH STARS: HARRY EMILY MIDDLETON [David & Charles] With ‘Over 20 Unofficial Embroidery Patterns for Stitchy Superfans’ this book is perfect for hardcore Harry Styles fans! Create original and cherished mementoes of the star using easy-to-follow patterns with heat-activated transfers that can be ironed directly onto your chosen fabric. Even if you’re new to embroidery, these…

CrossStitcher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Gardener’s Delight, we have a materials pack with everything you need to get you stitching right away, and have it delivered to your door! Your materials pack contains: • Sampedro 14 count aida in White• Skeins of DMC stranded cotton• Card and envelope• Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 How to order: Fill in the form on page 15 or go to www.willowfabrics.com to order your project pack at the CrossStitcher reader price of £28.60, plus P&P. Designed by: Susan Bates Stitch time: 23 hours vase; 4½ hours card Stitch count: 101 high x 74 wide vase; 48 high x 38 wide card Design size: 18.5x13.5cm (7¼x5⅜in) vase; 9x7cm (3½x2¾in) card These designs were stitched on 14 count…

Each month we publish a new letter and number set based on a theme, designed for you to cut out and keep for when you need it There’s an elephant in the room, well several – and our elephants on parade are perfect for all sorts ofprojects. Trumpet your love of friends and family with elephantastic gifts and cards embellished with theirinitials or names, or why not treatyourself to a cushion or bag created using the phrase of your choice? Our Elephants alphabet letters were mounted in a card, flexi-hoop and a painted wooden embroidery hoop. Each was stitched on 14 count white aida, and each letter is approximately 30 high x 30 wide. The design size for each letter is approx. 6x6cm (2¼x2¼in), and it took our stitcher four…

Make a… zipped purse Step 1 STITCH the design in the centre of the fabric left to right, and with the top of the design 3.3cm (1¼in) down from the top of the evenweave, using two strands for the cross stitch, and one for the backstitch. Step 2 FOLD over the top of the stitched evenweave onto the wrong side by 1.25cm (½in). Press the fold in place. Working from the outside of the purse, place the fold on top of the closed zip, so that the seam is up against the teeth on one side of the zip, and spaced equally in the centre of the fabric. Using white sewing thread, make a row of machine stitches across the evenweave, close to the zip. Step 3 ATTACH the backing…

Designed by: Emma Congdon Stitch count: 41 high x 103 wide  Design size: 28x68cm (11x26¾in) Stitch time: 11 hours This design was stitched on 3.5 count aida fabric using Trimits stranded cotton. Make a… cushion Step 1 NOTE that Turkestan can be prone to fraying, so it may be helpful to zig-zag machine stitch the edges of the fabric before you begin. This will also help when assembling your cushion as you will have neatened seams inside the cushion. Step 2 STITCH the design using 12 strands of stranded cotton for the cross stitch. As there is a large distance between each block of colour, try not to track across the back of the fabric, but finish off and restart to save thread. Step 3 COMPLETE the stitching, then place…

Summer is in full swing! As you are out on your summer adventures, wouldn’t you love a cute little purse for coins? Well, that’s the challenge we gave our three designers this month. They were given seven specific shades of stranded cotton to use, and they had to use the aida band they were given to make their purse. Take a look at their brilliantly clever 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 August – we’ve listed everything you need to take part. THE CHALLENGE • White 14 count aida band• 7 shades of DMC stranded cotton (shown above)…

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…