Table of contents for August 2018 in Cross Stitch Gold

Meet the designer Jenny Barton Jenny has been passionate about the creative arts since she was a small child, and went on to study graphic design at university. Soon after, she landed a job as a needlework designer for DMC Creative World, and became a freelance designer a couple of years later. She loves being able to work with cross stitch every day! “I love designing animals and trying to capture their individual characters. I think this snow leopard looks like a cheeky fellow!” You will need Fabric Zweigart 28-count ice blue evenweave (3270/550) measuring 44x40cm (17¼x15¾in) Threads Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle Size 26 tapestry needle Extras Frame and mount of your choice with a minimum aperture of 29x23.5cm (11½x9¼in) FOR STOCKISTS’ DETAILS turn to page…

GOLD STAR BUY Elegant Emily We love the newest addition to John Clayton’s Elegance range. The Emily design has a romantic, bridal quality to it that makes it a great project to stitch as a wedding gift, though its tumbling roses and floral garlands mean that it’s equally well suited to general summer stitching – with an utterly lovely finished effect. This pretty design measures 16.5x27.5cm and is available on 27-count evenweave fabric or on 14-count aida. You can order the kit from www.hcrafts.com for £38.60, or call 01889 575256 to order by phone. Stitch on the go with this nifty needlecase CUTE AS A BUTTON This super-cute little needlecase is ingeniously made from two thimbles that are hinged together with a gold bow clasp. If you’re looking for a…

Meet the designer Shannon Wasilieff Canadian designer Shannon has always been passionate about creative pursuits, but it was when she started designing cross stitch that she truly found her calling. Her talent is evident in her beautiful designs, and her great eye for colour and detail helps to make her unique creations into true masterpieces like this one. “Weddings deserve a special design to mark the occasion, and this portrait has many special touches, from the Celtic knotted border to the elegant and intricate beading.” You will need Fabric Zweigart 28-count white evenweave measuring 45x38cm (17¾x15in) Threads Stranded cotton and metallic threads as listed in the key Needle Size 26 tapestry needle; beading needle Beads Mill Hill seed beads as listed in the key Extras Frame of your choice with…

THE EXPERTS JO BENNER Jo is an experienced stitcher and knitter, who writes for several craft magazines. She’s on hand to help with chart queries and stitching know-how, as well as product questions. FIONA BAKER Fiona is the Technical Editor for Cross Stitch Gold and our sister magazines. She is a talented cross stitch designer, too, and can answer any of your stitching queries. HEATHER NUGENT Heather is the Charting Editor for Cross Stitch Gold and our sister magazines. With a passion for stitching and sewing, she is here to help with charting and making-up questions. French Knot Q I have a cross stitch kit that needs quite a few French knots and I’m hopeless at doing anything but cross stitch. Do you have any tips for a perfect knot?…

UK STOCKISTS COATS CRAFTS UK For stockists, visit www.makeitcoats.com Call 01484 681881 CRAFT CREATIONS Visit www.craftcreations.com Call 01992 781900 DMC CREATIVE WORLD For stockists, visit www.dmc.com Call 01924 231669 LAKESIDE NEEDLECRAFT Visit www.lakesideneedlecraft.co.uk Call 0333 0501184 MADEIRA For stockists, visit www.eqsuk.com Call 0116 2710033 MILL HILL For stockists, visit www.hantex.co.uk/millhill Call 011754 820800 SEW AND SO Visit www.sewandso.co.uk Call 0800 0130150 SIESTA FRAMES Visit www.siestaframes.com Call 01202 813363 US STOCKISTS 123 STITCH Visit www.123stitch.com Call 1-800-996-1230 ABC STITCH THERAPY Visit www.abcstitch.com Call 1-281-205-7507 ARTS CRAFTS USA Visit www.artscraftsusa.com Call 1-866-621-7779 JULIE’S X STITCH Visit www.juliesxstitch.com…

How to read our charts All our charts are printed in both colour and symbols. Each square on a cross stitch chart contains a symbol, and each symbol corresponds with one stitch. The key that accompanies the chart tells you what thread colour each symbol corresponds to, and how many strands to use for each cross stitch, backstitch or French knot. It also gives you the design's dimensions – you'll need these to cut your fabric to size. The thread numbers listed in the first column of the key refer to the brand that we've used to stitch the design. Conversion numbers for two other brands are given, but they're not always exact equivalents. Avoid mixing more than one brand in the same design. Sometimes you'll need more than one…

Get in touch Email: zeena@cross-stitching.com Write to: Zeena Moolla, Cross Stitch Gold magazine, 2nd Floor, Tower House, Fairfax Street, Bristol BS1 3BN Join us at: facebook.com/crossstitchgold Tweet us: @CrossStitchGold Beaded beauty I just finished Shannon Wasilieff’s medieval lady design from issue 144 and wanted to share the finished piece with you all. I love all the large designs in Gold, but this was my first time using beads – it did take me quite a while to get the hang of the technique, but I’m so pleased that I perservered as the beads are the highlight. I love horses and so I couldn’t resist this piece, which I’m going to hang in my bedroom. Now I can’t wait to stitch my next Shannon Wasilieff design. Keep them coming! Laura Keen,…

Meet the designer Durene Jones Prolific designer Durene Jones creates cross stitch charts for a range of stitching magazines. Her work is well loved for its modern and colourful tone, but she is a versatile designer and can turn her hand to any theme or style. Before starting on her creative cross stitch career, Durene worked as a graphic designer. “Seasonal designs are a great way to change up your home decor throughout the year. This fruity harvest scene would look lovely in the kitchen.” You will need Fabric Zweigart 28-count white evenweave measuring 41x46cm (16¼x18in) Threads Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle Size 26 tapestry needle Extras Frame of your choice with a minimum aperture of 26x31cm (10¼x12¼in) FOR STOCKISTS’ DETAILS turn to page 51 Stitcher’s guide…

CHANCE TO WIN £972 IN PRIZES £200 in prizes to win! Puffin crossing With its brightly coloured beak and clumsy waddle, it’s no wonder that the puffin is called the clown of the sea. And this particular little bird, looking quizzically about in a whirl of whimsical speckles, is sure to keep you smiling from the very first stitch! The Little Clown kit from Hannah Dale of Wrendale Designs comes with everything you need to stitch it, including 14-count printed speckled aida, pre-sorted threads, a needle, stitch chart and instructions. To buy, visit www.bothythreads.com or call 01900 828844. → We have ten kits worth £19.49 to give away! The text keyword is GOLD149PUFFIN. See purple box for entry details. £252 in prizes to win! Time for tea Fancy a cuppa?…

Meet the designer Durene Jones Prolific designer Durene Jones creates cross stitch charts for a range of stitching magazines. Her work is well loved for its modern and colourful tone, but she is a versatile designer and can turn her hand to any theme or style. Before starting on her creative cross stitch career, Durene worked as a graphic designer. “Many of us are partial to a glass of red in the evenings! This hanging would make a great gift for a wine-loving friend to give them a little laugh at the end of a long, busy day.” You will need Fabric Zweigart 28-count white evenweave measuring 39x33cm (15¼x13in) Threads Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle Size 26 tapestry needle Extras Backing fabric, medium-weight iron-on interfacing, ribbon to…

Meet the designer Lesley Teare Lesley is an experienced cross stitch designer with a degree in Printed and Woven Textiles, and many years of design experience. She creates designs for a wide range of stitching magazines, and has a range of cross stitch books to her name, too. Lesley lives and works in rural Suffolk, where she enjoys gardening and country walks with her labrador. “It will feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you stitch this old, traditional farm building, nestled into the rich landscape.” You will need Fabric Zweigart 14-count white aida measuring 38x46cm (15x18in) Threads Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle Size 24 tapestry needle Extras Frame and mount of your choice with a minimum aperture of 20.5x25.5cm (8x10in) FOR STOCKISTS’ DETAILS turn to…

Meet the designer Carol Thornton Watercolour artist Carol sketches and paints her gorgeous works of art before turning them into cross stitch designs. She creates charts for various magazines and has attracted legions of fans who love her distinctive style of artwork, which translates beautifully into cross stitch. “This hedgehog is a great companion piece for my autumnal fox cushion that appeared back in issue 140. I loved creating these beautiful creatures.” You will need Fabric Zweigart 28-count cashel linen flax (3281/0052) measuring 38x38cm (15x15in) Threads Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle Size 26 tapestry needle Extras Backing fabric, piping of choice and cushion pad to fit from local stores FOR STOCKISTS’ DETAILS turn to page 51 Stitcher’s guide This design is worked on 28-count cashel linen over…

Dear reader Don’t miss this special introductory offer to try 3 issues for just £5 when you subscribe today! Cross Stitch Gold is the ultimate magazine for the experienced stitcher with 8 large projects in every issue, the world’s best designers and expert stitching advice. Don’t miss out on this great offer – save 72% on your first three issues when you subscribe. Treat yourself or a friend today! In every issue of Gold: 8 CHALLENGING STITCHING PROJECTS THE WORLD’S BEST DESIGNERS EXPERT STITCHING ADVICE AND TIPS…

Meet the designer Maria Diaz Maria has always had a passion for needlecraft, since learning to sew as a child on her great-grandmother’s ancient foot-treadled Singer machine. After art college she landed a job as a printer which led to her becoming DMC’s first in-house designer, where she worked for eight years. She is now an independent designer and lives in the Midlands with her two sons, Lincoln and Hudson. “White peacocks are variants of the common Indian blue peacock – simply magnificent in their absence of colour.” You will need Fabric Fabric Flare 28-count Dusky Sky evenweave measuring 45x47cm (17¾x18.5in) from Sew it All Threads Stranded cotton and metallic thread as listed in the key Needle Size 26 tapestry needle; beading needle Beads Mill Hill seed beads as listed…

Night watchman OWL (PN-0146814), Lanarte, £30.50 What’s in the kit Black and white chart 14-count black aida DMC stranded cotton Tapestry needle Size of finished design 24x34cm (9½x13in) Stitching this kit The stunning barn owl, with its white tummy, golden back and heart-shaped face, is captured beautifully here in this kit. It is brought to life in whole cross stitches and half cross stitches only, in a combination of three, two and one strand of thread. A total of 29 colours are used to create the intricate details, and black aida provides the perfect night sky. Where to buy Visit www.artsanddesigns.com or call 020 7100 3509 to buy In amongst the flowers BLUEBELL WOOD, Bothy Threads, £29.49 What’s in the kit Black and white chart 14-count speckled aida Stranded cotton…

Meet the designer Lucie Heaton Lucie has always been a keen crafter with a particular passion for needlecraft. She contributes to a variety of stitching magazines and her work has appeared in various books, too. When she’s not busy designing, Lucie likes walking and exploring new places. You will need Fabric Zweigart 28-count white evenweave measuring 18x18cm (7x7in) for each design Threads Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle Size 26 tapestry needle Extras Craft Creations single-fold scalloped edge cards (SCF06U) in creative smooth white (30) FOR STOCKISTS’ DETAILS turn to page 51 Stitcher’s guide These designs are worked on 28-count white evenweave over two threads of the fabric in 23 shades of cotton. Cross stitch is in two strands, and backstitch is added in one strand. There are…