Ultimate Cross Stitch Nature 2025

This special collection has been hand-picked to reflect the wonders of the natural world and it’s sure to delight nature lovers everywhere. From large samplers down to tiny gifts, we’ve something for stitchers of all levels of ability who want to celebrate nature in all its glory. Let us take your hand and guide you through some of the sights ahead of you in this issue of Ultimate Cross Stitch – Nature. Take a peek at the best of British wildlife or wonder at the sight of our endangered animals; step quietly and watch a mother deer relaxing with her fawn and smile as a mother duck and her baby ducklings waddle past. Birds are on display here in different design styles: admire the popular British garden bird, the blue…

Walks in the countryside are so inspiring and it’s where we spot a huge number of the most wonderful birds. The blue tit is a favourite as its feathers are so striking – the contrast between the blues and yellows in the birds’ plumage is amazing, and it makes a lovely centrepiece for this decorative plate design. The pretty bluebells and primroses in the foreground are a delicate addition to the design and their hues are used in the decorative border, which helps to tie the design together nicely and gives it an elegant finish. Stitchers will enjoy recreating the rich colours and patterns. You will need Threads: Stranded cotton and metallic thread as listed in the key Needle: Size 26 tapestry needle Fabric: 28-count white evenweave, measuring 36x36cm (14x14in)…

Some of the most beautiful flowers in nature are often found growing wild, be it in countryside hedgerows or on untouched stretches of land. With well-tended, weed-free lawns often taking our attention, nature’s blooms can go unnoticed, so we’re celebrating their splendour in this gorgeous meadow design. From the clever shading on the poppies to the twists and turns of each blade of grass, this scene is packed full of detail. Stitchers with a bit more experience will love getting stuck into a project which has this much depth, and you’ll get to show off all your stitching skills, too. You will need Threads: Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle: Size 24 tapestry needle Fabric: 14-count rustico aida, measuring 61x81cm (24x32in) Extras: Cushion pad to fit Stitching Factbox…

These geese look so peaceful, why not switch off from the hectic pace of life and stitch this beautiful rural scene? A few stitching techniques feature and the whole design will be finished in under a month, so it’s the ideal summer project. Texture comes from French knots in this picture and our diagram and clear instructions on page 131 will help you with those. If you really don’t like to work them, simply pick out seed beads in suitable colours and attach these in place of French knots. This picturesque scene is stitched on pale lemon aida and is filled with bold and vibrant shades. You will need Threads: Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle: Size 24 tapestry needle Fabric: 14-count pale lemon aida, measuring 28x33cm (11x13in)…

The wily fox makes a handsome portrait as he sits among the wildflowers, berries and toadstools of the woodland in this autumn scene. Bright eyed and bushy tailed, this handsome creature’s ginger-coloured coat fits in well with the foliage of landscape coloured with the shades of early autumn. The colours of our fox’s fur are richly shaded and it’s this, together with the fractional stitches, that ensures there are plenty of points of interest and challenging areas to keep your needle happy. The pale blue 28-count evenweave also adds to the naturalistic feel of this lovely design. You will need Threads: Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle: Size 26 tapestry needle Fabric: 28-count light blue evenweave, measuring 36x30cm (14x12in) Extras: Frame and mount of your choice measuring 25.5x20.5cm…

Each season is abundant with flora and fauna and all make rich offerings for cross stitch designs. Inspired by hedgerows bursting with juicy blackberries Amanda makes these the centre of her seasonal wreath, along with shiny orange rosehips and pink fuchsias, which add a vibrant splash of colour. Friends who love the delights of blackberry picking would adore this autumnal accessory – it’s bound to conjure up memories of delicious fresh crumbles and pies. Stitched on 28-count white evenweave, this colourful circle uses 34 different shades of thread. You will need Threads: Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle: Size 26 tapestry needle Fabric: 28-count white evenweave, measuring 43x43cm (17x17in) Extras: Cushion pad and backing fabric of your choice Stitching Factbox Stitching time: Approx 60 hours Type of stitches:…