Innehållsförteckning för February 2024 från CrossStitcher

Head to our CrossStitcher Digital Downloads Facebook page to download and print out your exclusive luxury card blank for this project Make a… card Step 1 WORK on a 9x9cm (3½x3x½in) piece of white 14 count aida, 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 front, leaving two blank aida squares outside the stitching. Fray the fabric edges, removing one square of aida. Step 3 ATTACH double-sided tape to the back of the stitching, then place it on the card front – press it down well to attach to the card. Designed by: Susan Penny Stitch count: 39 high x 39 wide Design size: 7.5x7.5cm (27/8x27/8in) Stitch time: 7 hours This design…

RRP £15.99 £14.39 What's Inside? Seasonal Delights: Dive into nature-inspired cross-stitch designs, evolving with each passing month. Wildlife: Stitch your favourite animals, from majestic creatures to adorable companions. Letter Art: Personalize your creations with elegant lettering and inspiring words. Geometric Mastery: Challenge yourself with intricate geometric and abstract designs. Festive Fun: Celebrate holidays with specially curated cross-stitch motifs for joyful occasions. Blank Canvases: Unleash your creativity with blank templates for unique embroidery patterns. Easy Instructions: Step-by-step guidance, from design transfer to stitching techniques. GET YOUR COPY! bit.ly/365CrossStitch This product is subject to availability and priced correctly at the time of publication. Geographic restrictions apply.…

Get organised this new year with these fabulous craft bags, boxes and sewing machine covers. We are giving readers 20% off the RRP, while stocks last. To hold all your stitching equipment we have two craft bags. Firstly the ‘Birds’ bag made from PVC. It measures 13x36x31cm with a zip, double handles, front and side storage pockets in a cute bird design. Next, we have ‘Make, Sleep, Repeat’, a stylish tote made from natural coloured linen with leather handles. The bag size is 17x44x33cm. This big, roomy bag is great for tidying your stash and storing your stitching. For those who prefer a more traditional basket we have a medium-sized (17x24x14cm) sewing box covered in 100% cotton in a Flutterby print. It has a press stud fastening, a plastic handle…

*See ‘The Key’ on page 79. Designed by: Maria Diaz Stitch count: 48 high x 38 wide Design size: 9x7.5cm (31/2x3in) Stitch time: 61/2 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 and one strand for the backstitch and French knots. 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 back…

The women behind the history of needlecraft are often undocumented. This month we talk with Dawn Cook Ronningen, needlework historian and collector of antique needlecraft tools, about the rich history of needlework paraphernalia and her fascinating books that celebrate women as innovators of needlework technology… What is the story of your relationship with needlework? Was your passion for the history of needlework born at the beginning of your stitching journey or did that come later? When I was seven, my grandmother taught me to embroider, buying me my own embroidery hoop, threads, and a pre-marked dresser scarf. I was fascinated by the beautiful things a simple needle and thread could make. As a student, I loved my school library where I poured over Elsa Williams and textile history books. Those…

Our cosy bookshelves design is perfect for stitchers who want to tackle a larger, detailed design. The chart features intricate backstitching and half-stitched areas that add depth and texture to the finished piece. The soft mocha mottled aida fabric provides a brilliantly subtle background to work on too – there’s no better project to work on through the winter weeks! Designed by: Maria Diaz Stitch count: 154 high x 135 wide Design size: 28x25cm (11x9¾in) Stitch time: 53 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. *See ‘The Key’ on page 79. How to… frame a picture Step 1 CUT a piece of white mount board to fit inside your frame. Place your design centrally over the mount board and pin the fabric around the board to secure,…

Would you like to develop your cross stitching techniques with our imaginative tutorials? Yes □ No □ Would you like to use our simple step-by-step instructions to make thoughtful gifts for your friends and family? Yes □ No □ Would you like to enjoy a unique and complete stitching gift with every issue? Yes □ No □ Would you like to embark on a world of inspiration and cross stitching creations? Yes □ No □ Would you like to save a MASSIVE 50% OFF the cover price? Yes □ No □ answers: Mostly YES! A CrossStitcher subscription is the perfect solution for you. Take advantage of this FANTASTIC 50% OFF deal today and make sure you never miss an issue of the BEST cross stitching magazine! bit.ly/CROSQuiz Mostly NO! Hmm……

Positive Vibes! Bursting with vibrant energy and positivity come these new mini cross-stitch kits from Hawthorn Handmade! Whether you’re rocking the ‘vibe’, sharing some ‘love’ (perfect for Valentine’s!), or feeling ‘cute’, these kits bring your favourite words to life in bold and bright colours. Perfect for beginners or experienced stitchers looking for a quick craft fix, each kit comes with all you need to create your own piece of handmade happiness. Available from February at www.hawthornhandmade.com. CRAFTY FOX ‘CUNNING’ BY Rachel Froud is the next creature to feature in the Menagerie Collection by Bothy Threads. This beautifully detailed fox is worked on a contrasting printed aida. Just look into those gorgeous eyes! The kit is worked on 14 count printed Zweigart aida with pre-sorted stranded cottons and uses cross stitch…

Hullo! As we forge a path into the new year, I’ve been thinking about how I would like this year to feel. What do I even mean by that? Have I gone weird? Is this the beginning of my descent into madness? I hope not (though if it is to be, at least it should be a pleasant decent!). What I mean by this is that we often see what we expect to see and this year I want to approach life looking out for happiness. Ever notice how when you’re running late, you always get the red lights? Or how when you’re trying to concentrate on an important task, that’s when people constantly need to talk to you? It’s likely that you’re getting the same number of red lights…

HOW TO… JOIN OUR STITCH-A-LONG We’ve unveiled a new seasonal house in Britain from January 2023 to February 2024, and this issue we give you details of how to personalise your sampler. CROSSSTITCHER PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch our Seasonal Houses of Britain, we have a materials pack with everything you need to get you stitching straight away, and have it delivered straight to your door! Your materials pack contains: • Zweigart 14 count aida in Pewter Grey• Skeins of DMC stranded cotton• Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 How to order: Go to www.willowfabrics.com to order your project pack at the CrossStitcher reader price of £54.30, plus P&P. Designed by: Amanda Butler Stitch time: 15 hours Complete sampler stitch count: 234 high x…

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 Materials • Sampedro White 14 count aida; 14x14cm (51/2x51/2in) • Stran ded cotton as listed in the key • Size 24 tapestry needle Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com How to… join our Stitch-A-Long We’re unveiling a new monthly calender which will run from January to December 24. Over the…

We asked our fans on Facebook, “What’s the most creative way you’ve displayed or used your stitching?” URSULA MACLENNAN I made a card, the cross stitching is set in a coaster which is attached to the card with velcro dots so it can be removed and used afterwards. NIFTY NEEDLE MINDERS I made magnetic fridge notepads. PATTY RALRICK I made a tote bag that I use to carry my WIP with me when travelling. LINDA DRYER Depending on a pattern I like, I have been known to make cards or put them on sweatshirts or T-shirts. SHERRI MCMULLEN My daughter and I made an Advent calendar and sewed the squares onto fabric. Every Christmas it is hung and filled with candy. JULIE MOORE I incorporate small cross stitch motifs into…

If you’d like to stitch this design to hold something larger, like a phone, just leave more blank aida squares around the stitching when assembling Designed by: Emma Congdon Stitch count: 40 high x 70 wide Design size: 7.5x13cm (3x51/4in Stitch time: 16 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Using only whole stitches and no backstitch, this is a great project for beginner stitchers Make an… iPod case Step 1 COMPLETE your stitching, then place one fabric rectangle on top of your stitching, right-sides facing. Sew across the top edge, leaving two blank aida squares above your stitching. Fold the fabric over onto the reverse of your stitching and then run your nail across the fold to make sure it lays flat. Unfold and place right-side…

Make a… key fob Step 1 STITCH the key fob design onto the aida, using two strands of stranded cotton for the cross stitch and one for the backstitch, and working from the middle of the fabric outwards towards the end. Repeat the design on the other end of the fabric if you would like it on both sides. Step 2 FOLD the long sides of the stitching, over and onto the reverse side of the design, leaving two blank aida squares showing at the front on either side. Press into place. Step 3 CUT the felt to fit the back of the stitching. With the felt held on the back, sew down the two long edges of the stitching, one aida square inside the folded edge, by machine or…

Valentine’s Day is ultimately a celebration of love, and what better way to wear your ‘love of love’ with pride than a special brooch? We asked our three designers this month to come up with a brooch for Valentine’s Day. Our designers could only use the seven shades of stranded cotton stipulated and make sure that their design was worked on plastic aida, to be fitted with a brooch back. Take a look at their sweet 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 April – we’ve listed everything you need to take part. THE CHALLENGE • 14 count white…

EMBROIDERY HOOP Embroidery hoops are an absolute must-have for me. Specifically a 7in hoop, as I find this the optimal size for me to hold for the project sizes I tend to stitch (8-10in). In my opinion, they make stitching easier because they keep your fabric taut, which helps keep your stitches nice and neat. PATTERN KEEPER Honestly, Pattern Keeper is life-changing in the cross stitch world! It’s much easier to navigate a digital pattern that you can mark off and zoom in on, than to faff around with a physical copy. Don’t get me wrong, I still love physical copies but it’s so great to have the option to use either. You can even import paper patterns into the Pattern Keeper app! NEEDLEMINDER Needleminders are my number one stitching…

30 DAY CHALLENGE: EMBROIDERY JESSICA ANDERSON [Quarry Books] If your New Year’s resolutions included expanding your stitching horizons, this is the book for you! Create 30 easy projects using many of the new stitches learned in this challenge. Jessica Anderson walks you through the basics and then shows you how to create a new stitch every day. The easy-to-follow projects cover a variety of popular contemporary themes such as flowers, birds, plants and more. 500 NEEDLEPOINT PATTERNS ANAÎS HERVÉ [David & Charles] This compilation of 500 needlepoint designs gives a contemporary approach to the age-old art form. The Bargello stitch, which has variants including the Flame and Florentine stitches, is the main stitch used in these projects. The stunning designs can be sewn into soft cushions, purses, and cases, or framed…

CrossStitcher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Silent Night, 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: • DMC 14 count aida in Iridescent White • Skeins of DMC stranded cotton • 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 £29.50, or £35.40 including a 10in wooden embroidery hoop, all plus P&P. Designed by: Emma Congdon Stitch count: 134 high x 133 wide Design size: 25x25cm (97/8x97/8in) Stitch time: 60 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. *See ‘The Key’ on page…

CrossStitcher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch our Perfect Print, 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 Ivory • Skeins of DMC stranded cotton • Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 PLEASE NOTE: The backing fabric and cushion pad are not included in this pack. 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 £20.50, plus P&P. Materials • Zweigart Ivory 14 count aida, ref: 3706/264; 46x46cm (18x18in) • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Size 24 tapestry needle • Backing fabric; 40.5x40.5cm (16x16in) • Cushion pad;…

Designed by: Kyoko Maruoka Stitch count: 68 high x 69 wide Design size: 12.5x13cm (5x51/8in Stitch time: 53 hours This design was stitched on 28 count linen over two threads of fabric. Materials • DMC Dark Grey 28 count linen; ref: 318; 25x25cm (10x10in) • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Size 24 tapestry needle • Frame with mount board to fit the design Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com This charming picture could be housed in a stand frame that sits on a table, or it can be hung on a wall MORE TO STITCH… Our cute cat project was taken from Happy Days Cross Stitch by Kyoko Maruoka, which is packed with more charming designs to stitch. Kyoko is the designer behind the ‘Gera!’ cross stitch brand and has been selling her patterns…

WITH CrossStitcher When you think of a robin, you immediately think of a snowy scene on a Christmas card, but robins are present in our gardens in the UK throughout the year, and in my own garden here at the Rectory I can’t even lift my trowel without a robin appearing by my side. I have stitched my robin on 28 count Cashel and mounted it on a real wooden slice with glue, then I can hang him in my potting shed to remind me how beautiful nature can be, whatever the time of year! Turn to page 15 to buy the wooden slices. PRIZES FOR YOUR PICS! WE WOULD love to see what you stitch when taking a break from the Christmas preparations. Everyone who is featured will receive…