Indholdsfortegnelse for August 2024 i CrossStitcher

As a reader you already know what you have in your hands is the premium cross stitching magazine on the market… Can’t decide between print or digital? You don’t have to with our exclusive joint subscription offer! • ENHANCE YOUR SKILLS with our innovative tutorials. • Use our SIMPLE STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS to make thoughtful gifts for your friends and family • ENJOY a unique and complete stitching gift with every issue of your printed copy • ACCESS YOUR DIGITAL COPY on any device, wherever you are • DIGTIALPLUS ARCHIVE of 10 years’ worth of CrossStitcher, plus rare issue of Cross Stitch Collection PLUS access rare issues for Cross Stitch Collection Receive your print and digital issues every month and access over 10 years’ worth of digital archive issues. 50% OFF YOUR FIRST 6…

Dive into the charming world of cross stitch with Cross Stitch My Home: Stitching the Sweet Moments. Created by the talented Tania Santarelli of Lilli Violette, this book brings to life the warm and comforting scenes of homely pleasures. RRP £12.99 £10.39 WHAT’S INSIDE? º DETAILED CROSS STITCH CHARTS: Each project comes with easy-to-follow charts and instructions. º DIVERSE PROJECTS: Embellish your home with a variety of designs including cushions, aprons, framed pictures, and table runners. º SEASONAL INSPIRATIONS: Celebrate the essence of each season with designs that highlight the beauty of spring blooms, summer fruits, autumn leaves, and winter comforts. º GIFT IDEAS: These designs make perfect gifts, offering a personal touch for friends and family. Stitch a special piece as a housewarming gift or a holiday surprise. bit.ly/CrossStitchMyHome *This product is…

Designed by: Maria Diaz Max. stitch count: 45 high x 30 wide Max. design size: 8.5x5.5cm (33⁄8x21⁄4in) Stitch time: 6 hours each These designs were stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Always use a sharp needle to make precise, clean backstitches through the aida with one strand of cotton Make an… aperture card Step 1 WORK using two strands of stranded cotton for the cross stitch, and one strand for the backstitch. 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.…

CrossStitcher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Welcome to Paradise, 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• Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 (Please mark the coupon with which fabric you would like to receive) 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 £35, plus P&P. Designed by: Maria Diaz Stitch count: 134 high x 135 wide Design size: 24.5x24.5cm (93⁄4x93⁄4in) Stitch time: 80 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials • Sampedro…

The 3D cross-stitch designs of Lettie Eckberg are a wonder to behold! We sit down with this master of the cross-stitch craft to discover where this magic comes from, and learn more about her business ‘The Needle’s Notion’. Lettie’s passion for needlework is evident in the intricate details she incorporates in her work, from flat artworks to 3D designs, to practical gifts. All journeys have a beginning, and Lettie’s journey from childhood inspiration to a thriving business is an interesting one. “Fine needlework has always surrounded me,” Lettie explains. “Both my maternal grandparents were incredibly skilled. My grandmother created exquisite cushions, curtains, and samplers, while my grandfather crafted the furniture for their home. Their artistry was admired by all who visited.” This early exposure to handcrafted beauty undoubtedly sparked a…

THE CHALLENGE • White 14 count aida• 7 shades of DMC stranded cotton (shown above)• Silver split ring• Silver bee charm THE RULES • Create a summer keyring with a bee charm• The design should be no more than 42 x 28 stitches• Optional button closure• Only the materials above can be used• Be as creative as possible! Time to unlock a little summer sunshine! We’ve asked three designers this month to come up with a design for a keyring that has been inspired by the colours and scenes of summertime. They could only use the materials listed on the left, making sure to include the bright, vibrant summery shades of stranded cotton we chose, as well as featuring a beautiful silver bee charm. Take a look at their results…

Hullo! Most people who know me (and maybe you as well, if you’ve been reading my column for a while) know I love plants, especially when I grow them from seed. There’s something magical about starting with a small seed and cultivating an environment for life to take root (pun intended). My garden houses a lot of life. Soon after I moved in, a pair of collared doves decided to call one of the trees in my garden home. They’ve been delightful to watch but they have realised that I’m no threat and have started sitting under my patio and eating at the seedlings cultivating on my garden table. Such audacity! I rush out to shoo them away, and they look at me as though I’m mad. If they could…

Every month 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 (31⁄4x 31⁄4in) Stitch time: 3 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Over the year we will be bringing you 12 months to make a Calendar Year. Each month is filled with motifs appropriate for that season 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…

Designed by: Emma Congdon Stitch count: 49 high x 73 wide head; 76 high x 93 wide body Design size: 9x13.5cm (3½x5¼in) head; 14.5x17cm (5¾x 6¾in) body Stitch time: 46 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials • Zweigart Blush 14 count aida, ref: 3706/4110; 25.5x45cm (10x17¾in) and 25.5x32cm (10x12½in)• Stranded cotton as listed in the key• Size 24 tapestry needle• 20mm bias binding; 1.5m (59in)• 2.5cm cotton webbing tape; 1.2m (47in)• Wadding, fabric backed, 76x23cm (30x9in) Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com When making the bear bag, double-check you have the fabrics right-sides facing to avoid any errors in the final assembly Make a… bear bag Step 1 NOTE you have two pieces of aida for your bag – the longer piece forms the flap and the back…

Designed by: Durene Jones Stitch count: 45 high x 98 wide (each) Design size: 8x18cm (31⁄4x71⁄8in) Stitch time: 6 hours each These designs were stitched on 14 count plastic aida. Materials For each pot • White 14 count plastic aida; 10x22cm (14x83⁄4in)• Stranded cotton as listed in the key• Size 24 tapestry needle• Sticky velcro dot Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com Make a… plant pot wrap Step 1 STITCH your chosen design in the centre of the plastic aida, using two strands for the cross stitch and two for the backstitch. Do not stitch the pink lines on the chart as these are the cutting line only. Finish the thread ends by weaving them neatly through the back of your stitches in the same way as for aida. If you have a…

EXTRA 30% OFF OFFER ENDS 28.07.24 Dive into a world of creative patterns, expert tips, and inspiring projects that will keep you entertained and productive all summer long 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 is a super money-saving, inflation-busting option! The ideal choice if you’re looking for even more exclusive cross stitching content. Indulge in your ‘stitching passion wherever you are. Remember, you’ll own the issues you purchase! Take a look at all the great…

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…

We have put together a selection of beautiful biscornus to bring the summer garden into your sewing basket and make it last all year. Whether you are a seasoned stitcher or a novice, there is nothing nicer than a new piece of equipment. If it’s hand-stitched, like the intricately constructed biscornu, that makes it even more special! Assembling a biscornu is much easier than you think – careful counting, and whip stitch to join the layers, will ensure a perfect finish, and our step-by-step instructions will have you stitching them like a pro in next to no time!…

Designed by: Fiona Crouch Max. stitch count: 19 high x 17 wide Max. design size: 3.5x3.5cm (13⁄8x13⁄8in) Stitch time: 11⁄2 hours each These designs were stitched on 27 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. Make a… badge or button 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 (21⁄2in) circle. Step 2 REMOVE the metal loop from the back of your button blank. 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 of your button. Once you’re happy with it,…

Below are my 5 essential items when I’m designing for CrossStitcher or working on a project… www.mariadiazdesigns.com NEEDLE THREADER Until recently, I never had an issue threading needles, but age gets to us all eventually, so they are now an essential part of my kit. PROJECT RINGS I keep all my thread skeins on hoops, in colour groups as it makes choosing design colours easier. THREADS DMC is my favourite; they are excellent quality, but my reason is largely because I started my career with them and after way too many years to mention I pretty much know the shades by heart. CLEAR RULER The ruler I use has a line across each inch which makes it so simple to check the fabric counts. PLASTIC PROJECT THREAD CARD I used to use cardboard ones…

KATHY STEEVES NUTFORD We lived for many years in a multi-generational household where I was the stay-at-home parent and carer for the two older generations. Cross-stitching was my stress buster. I used to say, I could tell when it was a stressful day because I stitched more on those days. SHIRLEY CASLICK All three. Addictive, calming and creative. The only time one gets true peace. FIONA CHRISTIE All three, but also centering, a way to calm my anxiety and give me something I love to focus on. GRACE BEEVER Stress relieving and all three of the above. DELENE KERR For me it’s all about the creativity. I see it as an art on fabric and love how the design develops under my hands. It can also be therapeutic for some.…

CrossStitcher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Something Blue, 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• Wooden embroidery hoop, 12.5cm (5in)• Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 (Please note, the hoops are wooden and need to be rubbed with paint on a cloth to get the white dragged finish.) How to order: Go to www.willowfabrics.com to order your project pack. We have two packs available: a pack with enough material to make a single design of your choice including a wooden hoop for £17.10, plus P&P; and a pack with enough material to make…

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 Welcome to our world of colour! Our rainbow houses are perfect for all sorts of projects. Paint the town red. and every other colour too, with personalised gifts and cards decorated with our bold and bright motifs, or brighten up your home with a wall-hanging or other rainbow-themed picture! Our Rainbow House alphabet letters were mounted in a card, flexi-hoop and a super grip embroidery hoop. Each was stitched on White 14 count 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 hours to stitch…

Pure nostalgia is the order of the day with our beautiful riverside mill. Mills such as these are still dotted around the country, although there are only a fraction now compared to the many thousands during their heyday, before the industrial revolution. With our beautiful design you can imagine the gentle sound of the mill turning through the water, as you complete the stitching! Designed by: Carol Thornton Stitch count: 117 high x 179 wide Design size: 22.5x33cm (87⁄8x13in) Stitch time: 80 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials • DMC Morning Dew 14 count aida; 50x45cm (19½x21½in)• Stranded cotton as listed in the key• Size 24 tapestry needle• Frame with a 30x40cm (113⁄4x153⁄4in) aperture• Mount board to fit frame Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com HOW TO……

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 410’S TEA BREAK WINNER “I enjoy stitching in my cosy room. I’m currently trying to finish the Santorini Sunshine featured in your July 2017 issue.” Diane Barber, Ipswich For extra interest you could replace the French knots with gold seed beads if you prefer!…

Replace the buttons at your biscornu centre with large beads if you prefer Designed by: Susan Penny Stitch count: 64 high x 64 wide Design size: 11x11cm (43⁄8x43⁄8in) Stitch time: 31 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. The Dahlias design takes many more hours to stitch than the others, so is a good choice for more experienced stitchers Make a… dahlia biscornu Step 1 CUT two 18x18cm (7x7in) pieces of 14 count aida for the top and bottom of the biscornu. We used a Zweigart fabric, ref: 3707/4229; white with pink spots. Complete all the stitching for the top of the biscornu following the chart, and then repeat the design on the other piece of aida fabric, the same size as the top, this will be the…