Innehållsförteckning för January 2021 från CrossStitcher

Designed by: Cheryl McKinnon Stitch count: 38 high x 28 wide Design size: 7x5cm (2¾x2in) Stitch time: 6 hours (each) EXCLUSIVE CALENDARS! You can send o_ for a ready to use calendar, complete with a card stand to display it on your desk. Simply visit craftmag.co/crossstitcherkits to order your calendar today! Turn to page 85 to find your free 2021 calendar! Using… your calendar WELCOME TO A NEW YEAR OF STITCHING! For 2021 our free gift features twelve different folk-art designs, one for each month of the year. Here we are giving you the stitch details for the designs, worked on 14 count aida, and a copy of the January chart and key. If you would like to stitch the designs as a sampler, you can send for our project…

All kits are just £3.95 plus p&p NB: charts are only available in the relevant issue and do not come with the kits. CALENDAR 2021 CHRISTMAS GIFT BOX CHRISTMAS CARD KIT TREE DECORATION PINCUSHION KIT PHONE CASE SUMMER PURSE BYGONE BOUQUET BLOOMS IN BLUE SHOP NOW! www.craftmag.co/stitchstore…

Designed by: Emma Congdon Max. stitch count: 42 high x 41 wide Max. design size: 8x7.5cm (3¼x3in) plus name Stitch time: 7 hours (each) These designs were stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Using the alphabet provided, add your dog’s or cat’s name under the design. The letters should butt together, and you will need to leave five blank spaces between the design and the top of the lettering Make a… pet stocking Step 1 COMPLETE the stitching then use the template of either the bone or the fish to make a paper pattern of the complete shape and one of the smaller shape below the line. Step 2 PIN the smaller paper pattern to your stitched aida, making sure the design is in the centre of the shape. Hold…

Festive twist I loved Emma Congdon’s Christmas hoop designs (featured in issue 363) and decided to put a festive twist on it by stitching the designs on red aida – I’m looking forward to stitching the rest of the set! Nuala Wilkes, Stafford FIRST PAST THE POST! Emily Sims was the first to send us a pic of her angel decoration from issue 364 – she wins a selection of DMC stranded cotton skeins in 20 colours of her choice from Willow Fabrics. The first person to stitch and send us a pic of their finished January design from the 2021 calendar in this issue to crossstitcher@warnersgroup.co.uk will also win this great prize! Perfect palette Hello, thank you for one of the recent designs in the magazine ‘Perfect Palette’. I…

THE CHALLENGE • Perforated paper gift box • Perforated paper tag • Seven shades of stranded cotton (shown above) THE RULES • Create a design for a gift box and tag • The design area for the box is 23 x 17 stitches • The design area for the tag is 15 x 20 stitches • Only the materials above can be used • Be creative as possible! Welcome to this month’s designer challenge! We’re making some last-minute preparations for Christmas, so have asked our designers this time to come up with some original gift wrap ideas. We gave them a perforated box and tag to design for and they were given just seven thread shades to get creating with. If you’d like to stitch their festive makes we have…

AT THE TIME OF writing, we are not permitted to invite others into our houses in England, and this has made us reflect on how important our home surroundings are. The winter months often feel like we are nesting with lots of cosy cushions and throws on the sofa, and this year will make us even more aware of the need to make our homes feel special. We also need Christmas and New Year to be that extra bit more sparkly and magical (I hate to think how many decorations we own to cover our three trees!) and once the festive decorations are away, it would be lovely to fill those gaps with hand-stitched treats. It may not snow where you are but the appeal of a winter walk is…

Hullo! Welcome to a brand spanking new year! With all that happened last year, it feels nice to have a shiny new start ahead of us. Now, I don’t know about you, but I feel like this year should be a year of adventure! When I say adventure, I don’t mean you have to strap on your boots and literally take to the oceans in search for unknown lands and buried treasure (although, I am absolutely all for you doing that!). We can be adventurous just by getting out of our comfort zones in little ways – taking a new and challenging hiking trail, trying a new style of cuisine, stitching on different count aida – just looking for the thrill of the unfamiliar! A lot of things had to…

A DIFFERENT ROOM FOR EV ERY MONTH OF THE YEAR! How to… display your stitching WE used a house shaped wooden box frame, which we painted with a grey emulsion match pot and then made a cardboard triangle to fill in the front. The roof and front were then covered in tile paper, normally used for train modelling – both the box and paper are available from online craft and modelling shops. Designed by: Zoë Patching Stitch count: 55 high x 63 wide Design size: 10x11cm (4x4¼in) Stitch time: 5 hours This design was stitched on 28 count linen over two threads of fabric. Materials • Zweigart Antique White 28 count Cashel, ref: 3281/0101; 20x20cm (8x8in) • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Size 26 tapestry needle •…

Samplers are such an important part of our stitching heritage. When the global pandemic hit the UK last March, CrossStitcher reader Karen Nelson just knew a sampler would make the perfect project to focus on while stuck at home during lockdown… Karen Nelson, who lives in Chipping Norton with her partner Ian, has been cross stitching for over 50 years, “I have been stitching since age 8,” she says. “I learned at primary school. My mum still has the cross stitch coaster that I made all that time ago. I have enjoyed reading and using CrossStitcher since issue 1.” When the country entered lockdown last March, Karen felt it was time to get her needle out and start a ‘corona sampler’. “It is all my own design, using mottos and…

Designed by: Cheryl McKinnon Stitch count: 34 high x 40 wide Design size: 6.5x7.5cm (2½x3in) Stitch time: 5 hours These designs were stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Make an… ornament Step 1 STITCH your ornament onto aida, using two strands for the cross stitch and one for the backstitch. Cut around the design following the shape of the stitching, but leaving two or three blank aida squares around the edge. Paint the edge with Fray Check or fabric glue to prevent fraying. Leave to dry Step 2 LEAVE the glue to dry, then place the stitching on the felt and cut the felt into the same shape as your decoration. Cut a length of ribbon, which you fold in half and then place the ends at the top of…

This wasn’t my first version of a snowflake. I have to tell you that my first snowflake design just didn't look right! I don’t think I had ever really studied a snowflake shape, and so had wrongly assumed it had eight sides – I really should have concentrated harder in Science at school! After some research, and a few mock-ups, my star became a crystal snowflake… In CrossStitcher we often use beading to add detail to our projects. In issue 333 (July 2018), I designed a Happy Birthday card with a summery feel. I used perforated paper to make an ice cream, which I beaded and then added to the card to give it a lovely 3D effect! If you missed it, visit www.hobbies-and-crafts.co.uk to order a back issue or…

Just Stitch it! No.1 FOR DESIGNS PLUS We show how to stitch with beads, including working on perforated paper CALENDAR 2021 JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER Cross Stitcher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch the complete calendar as a sampler, you can send for a layout guide and the materials needed to complete the project. Your materials pack contains: • 14 count Antique White aida • Skeins of DMC stranded cotton • Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 • Layout guide for completing the sampler How to order: Go to www.willowfabrics.com to place your order, or complete the coupon on the offers page inside CrossStitcher issue 365. CrossStitcher reader price: £26, plus P&P. Cross stitcher Editors susan &…

RSN ESSENTIAL STITCH GUIDES: WHITEWORK LIZZY LANSBERRY [Search Press] This is a new, larger format edition of the Royal School of Needlework’s essential guide to whitework. You have all you need here to get to grips with whitework – from the materials and equipment, to how to design your own whitework embroidery, plus framing, positioning and transferring your design. Each stitch is demonstrated using step-by-step photography and instructions. You get an intro to the RSN and a brief history of whitework, too! WEEKEND MAKES: PUNCH NEEDLE SARA MOORE [GMC Publications] Punch needle is still a new trend in the needlecraft world, and this book allows you to create modern abstract design projects in just a weekend! There are no less than 25 super-easy and quick designs for you to try…

Designed by: Faye Walsh Stitch count: 49 high x 100 wide Design size: 8x16.5cm (3¼x6½in) Stitch time: 11 hours This design was stitched on a 14 count aida band. Make a… jar wrap Step 1 MEASURE the distance around your jar adding on an overlap and enough aida band to create a neatened edge. Cut your aida band to this length. Step 2 USE two strands for the cross stitch and one for the backstitch to stitch the design in the middle of the aida band. As you want the light to shine through the stitching, make sure you do not trail the thread ends across the back of your work. Step 3 NEATEN the two raw edges of the aida band by turning them over twice and then catch-stitching…

Cross Stitcher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Snow Place Like Home, 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: • Zweigart 14 count aida in Nougat • Skeins of DMC stranded cotton • Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 NOTE: Embroidery hoop not included 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 £30, plus P&P. Materials • Zweigart Nougat 14 count aida, ref: 3706/300; 50x50cm (19½x19½in) • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Size 24 tapestry needle • Wooden embroidery hoop; 35.5cm (14in) diameter Materials available…

Cross Stitcher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Snow Way!, 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: • Zweigart 14 count aida in Light Blue • Skeins of DMC stranded cotton • Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 • Snowflake charm NOTE: Backing fabric and cushion pad not included 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 £29.50, plus P&P. Materials • Zweigart Light Blue 14 count aida, ref: 3706/503; 41x41cm (16x16in) • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Size 24 tapestry needle • Backing fabric;…

Designed by: Durene Jones Max. stitch count: 54 high x 39 wide Max. design size: 10x7cm (4x2¾in) Stitch time: 7 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, one for the backstitch and two for the lettering and glasses on the mouse. 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…

Cinderella, you shall go to the ball! Welcome to the final part of our Cinderella scene, which has been designed as a bit of a challenge for more experienced stitchers or for those looking to stretch their skills. With metallics, beads and, in this section, sequins to add, this design is filled with texture for a luxury finish. Read on for details on how to display your finished piece as a beautiful cushion. Stitching your… Cinderella scene Step 1 NOTE that part 3 of the design, which is in this issue, is the right-hand section, and should be stitched using the small areas of chart from part 2 that we have printed again here. Step 2 USE two strands for the cross stitch and half cross stitch, one for the…

Christmas and New Year are such special times for stitchers – there’s a flurry of last-minute makes before 25 December and then time to reflect on what will inspire new creations in 2021. From New Year’s resolutions to their favourite winter projects – we chatted to four of our friends from the world of stitching about what they’re making, giving and celebrating throughout December and January… CHERYL MCKINNON Cross stitch designer Tiny Modernist Cross Stitch tinymodernist.com In December are you usually finishing o_ last-minute festive makes or starting on new year projects? I work several months ahead of each season, so I’ve been stitching models for next year for a while already. My Christmas stitching began in July! I’ve got some finishing to do this week – two December designs…