Indholdsfortegnelse for June 2025 i CrossStitcher

 Stitch count: 41 high x 35 wide Design size: 7.5x6.8cm (3x25⁄8in) Stitch time: 7 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Head to our CrossStitcher Digital Downloads page on Facebook to download and print your exclusive postcard Make a… postcard Step 1 WORK the design in the centre of a 9x9cm (3½x3½in) piece of white 14 count aida. Follow the chart and key, using two strands of stranded cotton for the cross stitch and one strand for the backstitch. Step 2 CUT the aida so that you have three blank aida squares around the edge of the design. Fray the outer edge of the aida by one square – carefully tease the aida block away using a pin, taking care at the corners. Step 3 PLACE the…

This month we bring you another three larger kits from Trimits, all with a summer garden theme, and perfect for those wanting to progress their cross stitch skills. Garden has a finished size of 58x58cm, Roses is 59x39cm and Gardener’s Paradise is 58x43cm. All are fully stitched, making it a challenge to stitch, in time rather than skill, as there is no backstitch or French knots. We suggest you use a frame to secure your aida while stitching. Both Garden & Roses contain white 14 count aida, whereas Gardener’s Paradise is 11 count, all come with stranded cotton, needle and pre-sorted thread, plus a chart and key. Three gorgeous designs available: Garden – a pretty garden scene, with a house in the background and a cute kitten on the lawn.…

 Stitch count: 46 high x 46 wide Design size: 8.5x8.5cm (31⁄4x 31⁄4in)  Stitch time: 5 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. If you’ d like a pack containing the Pewter Grey 14 count aida and the skeins to complete the sampler, turn to page 10, and order for £41, plus P&P How to… join our Stitch-A-Long In issue 417 we began our Mouse year monthly calender which runs from January 25 to December 25. Over the year we will be bringing you twelve seasonal designs that can be used for cards and keepsakes for birthdays or anniversary, 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…

Stitch count: 28 high x 56 wide (each) Design size: 5x10cm (2x4in) Stitch time: 3 hours (each) These designs were stitched on 14 count aida fabric. You could also use this design to make a fun door sign for a child’s bedroom! Materials For each crown: • Zweigart Pink Blush 14 count aida, ref: 3706/4110; 15x54cm (6x21in)• or Zweigart Blue 14 count aida, ref: 3706/503; 15x54cm (6x21in)• Stranded cotton as listed in the key• Size 24 tapestry needle• Lining fabric; 15x54cm (6x21in)• Pom-pom trim; 70cm (28in)• Ties for the back of the crown; 33cm (13in) x 2 Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com Make a… crown Step 1 NOTE that our crown is based on the average size of a child’s head from 3-10 years, which is 50cm (20in). It can be…

Originally from the Tampa, Florida area in the US, Diane Barber has lived in the Suffolk Coastal area for around 20 years. Cross stitch has been a great support for her as she has settled in a new country… We speak to many readers who have built a support network for their cross stitch hobby – whether it’s going to groups or chatting to other crafters online. In Diane’s case, it’s more that cross stitch itself provided the support she needed. “There aren’t really many stitching shops around where I live,” she explains. “I mainly buy my kits and supplies online and I haven’t joined any groups for stitching either. It has been hard meeting people and making friends. say all the time when I became a mum and noticed…

Pay just £59.99 annually and receive three exclusive sets of Spring Stranded Cotton Collection threads as a welcome gift. EXCLUSIVE OFFER! NOT AVAILABLE ELSEWHERE! bit.ly/CROS-SPRING25 *T&Cs Apply: Print subscription with x3 spring threads available to UK addresses when paying Direct Debit or Continuous Card Payment (CPA). Colour of threads may vary. While stocks last. Print copies will be mailed to you when released. Offer ends 21.06.2025…

Bold and Bright Beginners will enjoy discovering the world of cross stitch with these mellow kits. The Moth to a Flame kit features a striking blue moth surrounded by delicate florals. The Be Still My Heart kit shows a pink heart on a sunny yellow backdrop and A Very Serious Strawberry features vibrant strawberries against bold blue stripes. The It Takes a Bold Woman kit has a cool contemporary look featuring a silhouette highlighted by soft coral tones. Plus, the Cheers to That kit celebrates joyful moments with its cheery wine-themed design. Each kit has everything you need to complete it: a wooden hoop, 11 count aida, embroidery floss, easy-to-follow pattern, and a step-by-step cross stitch guide. thecraftscollective.com FIRM FAVOURITES: SUSAN PENNY Designers share with us their top stitching essentials…

Max. stitch count: 15 high x 21 wide  Design size: 2.83.7cm (11⁄8x11⁄2in) Stitch time: 1 hour (each) These designs were stitched on 14 count aida fabric. These tags only take one hour each to stitch so why not stitch up a set, ready for your next round of present giving? Materials For each tag: • Sampedro White 14 count aida; 5x6cm (2x23⁄8in)• Stranded cotton as listed in the key• Size 24 tapestry needle• Tag Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com Make a… tag Step 1 TURN your aida so that it is landscape in front of you. Use two strands for the cross stitch and one for the backstitch. Step 2 COMPLETE the stitching, then cut around the design, leaving three blank aida squares around the design. Fray the outer edge by removing…

Stitch count: 32 high x 35 wide (each side) Design size: 5x6cm (2x23⁄8in) Stitch time: 3 hours (each side) This design was stitched on 28 count eavenweave over two threads of fabric. Make a… hobby horse Step 1 CREATE a front and back to the horse, stitching each side of the head on a separate piece of evenweave, using two strands of stranded cotton for the cross stitch and one for the backstitch. Step 2 CUT out two ears from felt using the template provided. Place the stitched heads right-sides together, lining up the tip of the nose and the mane decoration. Place the ric-rac between the layers, so that it is facing inwards, and repeat for the ears. Pin, then tack in place. Stitch around the edge of the…

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 nothing quite as flamboyant as a flamingo! These birds are pretty in pink and make a fun subject for this month’s alphabet. Our motifs are versatile enough to be used for all ages and all occasions – from kids’ birthdays to bathroom towels – these feathered friends will add a personalised, colourful touch! More to make… Create fabulous flamingo projects, with these ideas to start you off… 1 Personalise a child’s backpack, using waste canvas to attach a flamingo and the child’s initials to the front pocket. 2 Stitch a flamingo onto plastic canvas and back with a magnet to make a…

Lesley Wilkins has been immersed in embroidery since childhood, her passion ignited by a lifelong love of creative expression. As a girl, she delighted in gifts of colouring pencils, fabric, and needlework accessories and encouraging teachers nurtured her love for design and craft. Though her career took her into local government, she never lost sight of her creative roots, and now is the proud author of the recently published book Quaker Samplers. A visit to the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) at age 10 marked a key point in Lesley’s journey. Drawn into the textile section, she discovered rows of cabinets filled with embroidered samplers, their intricate stitches whispering stories from the past. One piece, Jane Bostocke’s 1598 sampler – the earliest dated surviving British sampler known – captured her…

Stitch count: 139 high x 143 wide Design size: 26x26cm (101⁄4x101⁄4in) Stitch time: 45 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Embark on an artistic adventure with our stunning spiral design, featuring some favourite wildlife and plants! This captivating composition draws inspiration from woodland creatures, and you can enjoy creating each intricate detail! Use blending and beading to bring this unique design to life and immerse yourself in a world of colourful flora and fascinating fauna – perfect for those seeking a creative challenge! How to… frame your work in a hoop Step 1 TRIM your stitching and a fabric piece into a circle slightly larger than your hoop. Place the inside hoop beneath the two pieces and the outer hoop on top. Centre and press over your work. Pull…

“We have a new family member! After years without a cat, we’ve adopted a mouser, a young feral cat named Gus from the Cats Protection League. On our way home from the shelter, Gus escaped from his carrier, causing a panic as we tried to catch him. Once home, he escaped again, prompting the entire village to join in the search! We received many sightings and created a map detailing his movements, which we shared on social media. After a few nights, we managed to trap him using a CPL cat trap. Initially, he was stressed and hid in our hallway, hissing and scratching at us. However, two weeks later, he’s adjusting well and has started enjoying his new life. Our next challenge is to help Gus get along with…

Hullo! We’re halfway through the year, and I’ve realised I have unfinished business. Not just in the way of cross-stitch projects (though there are plenty of those), but in the things I promised myself I’d do this year. Chief among them? Getting back on the exercise bandwagon. I started with good intentions. In January, I said I would build a solid fitness routine. Nothing extreme, just some regular movement – more consistent hiking, maybe strength training. Maybe even – if I really got my act together – yoga before bed. Six months later, my winter belly has been relabelled spring rolls. It’s called more to love, and I won’t be convinced otherwise! My metabolism failed me years ago (the joy of being in your late 30s) and nothing reminds me…

Max. stitch count: 47 high x 38 wide  Max. design size: 8.5x6.5cm (31⁄4x21⁄2in)  Stitch time: 6 hours each These designs were stitched on 14 count aida fabric. This year Father’s Day falls on Sunday, 15 June in the UK Make an… aperture card Step 1 WORK using two strands of stranded cotton for the cross stitch, and one strand for the backstitch, with two strands being used for the F on the biscuit on the mug card. 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…

Pet Project I loved the free gift from CrossStitcher 409. I put my own twist on it by picking what I thought were the most adorable dogs and cats from each design and putting them together. I'm not very creative with designs and part of why I like cross stitch so much is that you can just follow the pattern, but I feel proud of myself for giving an adjustment a go! Thanks for inspiring me. I don't often find time to do the free gifts (so many projects, so little time), but I'm really glad I did this one. Thank you. Meredith Moody, Somerset We love what you’ve done here, Meredith! It’s not simple to mix and match motifs in a chart, but you’ve succeeded so well! Martin & Susan,…

Stitch time: 26 hours vase; 4 hours card Stitch count: 113 high x 79 wide vase; 48 high x 38 wide card Design size: 21x14.5cm (81⁄4x53⁄4in); 9x7cm (31⁄2x23⁄4in) These designs were stitched on 14 count aida fabric. crossStitcher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Little Gems, 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 10 or go to www.willowfabrics.com to order your project pack at the CrossStitcher reader price of £31.25, plus P&P. Materials For the picture: •…

Stitch count: 56 high x 56 wide (each) Design size: 10.5x10.5cm (4¼x4¼in) Stitch time: 16 hours (each) These designs were stitched on 14 count aida fabric. CrossStitcher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Teatime Treasures, 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• Black velvet backing fabric• Skeins of DMC stranded cotton• Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 How to order: Fill in the form on page 10 or go to www.willowfabrics.com to order your project pack to make all six pincushons at the CrossStitcher reader price of £39.70, or just buy the aida and velvet pack for £6.50, both…

We know how many of our readers share their passion for cross stitch with a love of gardening. So this month, we’ve invited three designers to create gardening designs that can decorate a needlecase cover. They also had to stick to only the seven shades of stranded cotton we selected for them. Check out their beautiful results below – we’ve included a chart for each design so you can stitch your favourite! We hope this inspires you to join in as well – turn the page to discover our challenge for the July issue! THE CHALLENGE • Antique White 14 count aida • 7 shades of DMC stranded cotton (shown above) THE RULES • Create a needlecase with the cross-stitched design on the front • The design must be no…

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…