Table of contents for November 2021 in CrossStitcher

Stitch count: 66 high x 25 wide Design size: 12.5x4.5cm (5x13⁄4in) Stitch time: 6 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Go to www.willowfabrics.com to download your exclusive illustrated card blank that you can then print out onto thin card Make a… card Step 1 STITCH the design onto a 15x10cm (6x4in) piece of white 14 count aida, using two strands of cotton for the cross stitch and one for the backstitch and the French knots. Step 2 TRIM the stitched fabric to fit your card (see tip), 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…

Information Author(s): Emma Congdon Publisher: David & Charles Format: Paperback Pages: 112 ISBN-13: 9781446308653 RRP £16.99 £15.29 What’s inside… Whether it’s a plea to save the bees, clean up the oceans, appreciate nature, or unplug from technology, this celebration of the green movement in thread will remind us of the need to come together to build a brighter future, one stitch at a time. The designs range in size from mini hoops to larger scale samplers, so there are projects to suit everyone and they all share Emma’s skill with colour, typography and design which have made her one of the world’s best-loved cross stitch designers. Cross Stitch for the Earth is printed on sustainable FSC paper, fully recyclable, printed using plant based inks and every purchase includes a donation…

Pro Tip Top designers share their favourite stitching tips Keep Christmas cards quick & easy" “The best way to get Christmas cards all done is to keep it simple. I like to choose two to four designs that can use the same lovely festive colours and are roughly the same size. To speed things up, I like to work all the designs on one sheet of aida and then cut them down to size once I’ve finished stitching. Limit your palette, if you can – to say five or six colours, and try to complete one colour each evening. I love seeing the designs gradually build and get great satisfaction as the designs come together.” FIRST PAST THE POST! Anne-Marie Browning was the first to send us a pic of…

Teacher Debbie has been stitching one and off since she was a teenager. More recently she used the power of cross stitch to help her cope with firstly with widowhood and then to stay connected and keep herself busy during the pandemic and the lockdowns that came with it… “I am a 44-year-old, widowed mother of two special and brave daughters Erin, who is 12, and Ella, who is 10,” says Debbie. “I am a teacher by profession and am currently the Teacher-In-Charge of our school’s pre-school and library.” STITCH BY STITCH Debbie was taught to cross stitch back in primary school. “We were given a printed tray cloth to cross stitch,” she recalls. “As a teenager, I bought myself my first cross stitch book and a few supplies and…

10 EXCLUSIVE XMAS DESIGNS! Make a…padded decoration Step 1 PLACE the stitched design face down onto some backing fabric. Between the layers place a folded piece of baker’s twine or ribbon with the cut ends facing out and against the raw fabric edges. Step 2 STITCH around the edge, just outside the outer row of cross stitch (this will give the decoration the same shape as the design). Leave a gap on one side for turning through. Step 3 TRIM away the excess seam allowance and clip the curves, before turning to the right side. Stuff with toy stuffing and sew up the gap with small, neat stitches. stitch count: 50 high x 39 wide Design size: 9x7cm (3½x2¾in) Stitch time: 6 hours each These designs were stitched on 14…

We caught up with cross stitch designer Megan Caines to find out how she came to branch out and begin her own fully fledged cross stitch business, her love of needleminders and why mandalas are such a favourite source of inspiration for her work… Hi Megan! Tell us what initially attracted you to stitching? From a very young age, I have always had a love for arts and crafts. No matter what is was, if it involved drawing, painting, sewing, constructing or anything like that, I was hooked! I love seeing a creation come to life from nothing then develop into something beautiful, and I feel cross stitch does exactly that. You start with a plain piece of fabric and as you progress through the pattern, you see it come…

Breeze into winter… Hold on to your hat – wintry windy days are on their way! Tilda’s new Winter Days collection is packed with pretty prints to celebrate the autumn and winter season. The signature fabric for this range is the Windy Walks design, available in four colourways. Inspired by Indian block prints are the floral fabrics, all with names pertaining to wind. There are coordinating buttons available too – perfect for cards or cushions. For details of your local stockist you can visit www.tildasworld.com. HEAVEN SENT ANETTE ERIKKSON has a gorgeous new design – ‘Nordic Angel’ – for the festive season. Stitched with a mix of cross stitch and half cross stitch on hessian or aida (you get to choose your preference) it has a finished size of 32x39cm.…

Hullo! I’m not sure if this is how you know you’re getting older, but I feel like the end of the year has suddenly crept up on me! Where the time has gone, I couldn’t say, but I do know that we’re fast approaching the time of the year for gift giving. I love making presents for my friends and this month’s flower is helping to celebrate all things camaraderie – the geranium, whose floriology meaning of ‘true friendship’ helps us celebrate our pals, our mates and our besties. Friends are the family we choose. Through good times, bad times and the strange times, our friends are there to support us, guide us, laugh and cry with us and generally make life all the richer. It’s said you’re the combination…

A DIFFERENT ROOM FOR EVERY 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. Stitch count: 60 high x 64 wide Design size: 10.5x11.5cm (4¼x4½in) Stitch time: 6 hours This design was stitched on 28 count linen over two threads of fabric. Materials Zweigart Antique White 28 countCashel, ref: 3281/0101; 20x20cm (8x8in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle Frame with an 11.5x11.5cm (4½x4½in) aperture Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com November is…

Hi, after recently contacting you on Facebook, I have a couple of finished projects to show you. I have Oh Gateaux from issue 369. Also The Simple Things (issue 369 too) – with this one I couldn’t decide on a single colour and wondered what variegated threads would look like, then my mum gave me a few really old Anchor colours and in the end I used them all. I had never used these threads before and was very pleased with the result. Also I’ve sent a pic of the pincushion mouse (issue 368) – he’s adorable! Thank you for a great subscription magazine, I’m really enjoying it. There’s just so much I want to do.…

Stitch count: 55 high x 40 wide Design size: 10x7.5cm (4x3in) Stitch time: 8 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. 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 of the stitching, then add strips of double-sided tape and press firmly down to secure.…

You can pick up some waste canvas for this project from www.willowfabrics.com Stitch count: 24 high x 45 wide head; 7 high x 23 wide paws Design size: 4.5x8cm(13⁄4x3¼in) head; 1.2x 4cm (1⁄2x11⁄2cm) paws Stitch time: 22 hours This design was stitched on 14 count waste canvas. Stitching… your shirt Step 1 WASH your shirt to remove any stiffening, and press flat. Cut a 3x10cm (11⁄4x4in) strip from the waste canvas – this is for the polar bear’s paws. If your shirt is made from stretch fabric then iron Vilene onto the back where the design will be stitched to strengthen it. Step 2 PLACE the larger piece of waste canvas above the shirt pocket – the pink line on the chart indicates where the top of the pocket should…

Welcome to a brand new three part project – a companion piece to our Cinderella scene from last Christmas. As with the last piece, we’re featuring lots of techniques, from metallics to beads and from sequins to more complex backstitching – to come up with an exquisite design that’s also the perfect project if you’re looking to stretch your stitching skills! YOUR FINISHED CINDERELLA SCENE Over the next two issues you’ll receive the middle and right-hand sections of the chart. The next section will be in our December issue (377), on sale 2 November, and the final part will be published in our January 2022 issue (378), on sale 30 November. Stitch count: 137 high x 300 wide (complete design – 3 parts) Design size: 25.5x55cm (10x21½in) Stitch time: 140…

SOMEONE REMARKED that “in the land of cross stitch, there is no autumn – we just jump from glorious summer flowers to getting ready for Christmas.” We looked back and grudgingly admit that this is a teeny bit true as we do plan hard for you to have lots of lovely festive projects in plenty of time to get them stitched. This year we intend to bring you the best of every season. Autumn is all about colour and cosiness, so what could be better than finding a comfy corner and getting started on our ‘Colours of Autumn’ sampler (page 34)? Emma Congdon is so inventive, and this design will really make you smile. We do think she might have missed one key colour – ‘squirrel tail’! We seem to be…

“My workspaces are small and scattered throughout my home! I store all of my DMC thread cones on a dresser so that I can see the colours and choose which ones work well together. I have a large table in the dining room which doubles as my preparation area for making kits, I enjoy having some music on whilst I do this! My favourite workspace is when I attend craft events and shows as I get to meet so many people and its so nice to talk cross stitch with others who enjoy it!” www.emilyjoycedesigns.co.uk Drop us a line to crosssstitcher@warnersgroup.co.uk with images of your craft space and a few words about it and our favourites could be featured in a future issue!…

HAPPY DAYS CROSS STITCH RYOKO MARUOKA [Tuva Publishing] For fun, folksy motifs, look no further than this collection of 25 fabulous cross stitch designs made by Japanese designer Kyoko Maruoka. Perfect for beginners and more experienced stitchers alike, subjects covered include animals, flowers, foods, weather, space, people, scenery, dolls and houses, all in delicate colours. Use your motifs to create a host of projects, from bags and cushions to coasters and more. CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS [CICO Books] Whip up the Christmas decorations in our bonus booklet on page 39, then try your hand at making more items to deck the halls with this book containing 27 Christmas ornaments. The book is divided into the areas of Tree Decorations, Wreaths and Garlands and Table Decorations, with a focus on simple Scandinavian style…

Stitch count: 140 high x 140 wide Design size: 26x26cm (10¼x10¼in) Stitch time: 45 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials Zweigart Snow Glitter 14 count aida, ref: 3706/0011; 50x50cm (19½x19½in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Backing fabric; 40.5x40.5cm (16x16in) Cushion pad; 38x38cm (15x15in) Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com Why not extract individual Santas to stitch for mini Christmas cards and gift tags! Make a… cushion Step 1 COMPLETE the stitching, then cut the stitched fabric to 40.5x40.5cm (16x16in), the same size as your backing fabric, with the design in the centre. Step 2 PLACE the cushion front right-sides together with the backing fabric. Pin, then machine stitch around the edge with a 1.25cm (½in) seam allowance, leaving a gap for turning.…

We asked our fans on Facebook, “How do you like to make your projects look extra-festive?” CAROLINE GRUBB I usually use metallic threads but would like to experiment with beads and trims. EALISH B HEATON I like to use rich warm colours like emerald greens and burgundy threads adding some little bells and gold threads for that Christmas feel. LINDA VERNON Anything sparkly! Or I have even used glittery fabric. BRITTINY WEAVER Adding 3D elements, like pom-poms, and hanging the hoop with a ribbon. CASSIE RUTH Love stitching Christmas cards, and I like using metallic threads, satin threads, blending with metallic and normal threads. I also love using little seed beads and sequins too, the possibilities are endless. Use your imagination and just go with the flow, it’s such fun. ANNEMARIE ZELTENRIJCH I love to…

Just as the leaves turn red, we’ve captured the full magic of an autumn glow with our final seasonal palette sampler Stitch count: 180 high x 119 wide Design size: 33.5x23cm (13¼x9in) Stitch time: 52 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Each colour block will take a little under two hours to complete, so you can work on one (or two!) per evening Materials Sampedro White 14 count aida; 60x50cm (23½x19½in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Frame with a 34.5x24cm (13½x9½in) aperture Mount board to fit frame Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com 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…

Stitch count: 50 high x 36 wide, gable ends; 33 high x 59 wide, sides Design size: 9x6.7cm (31⁄2x25⁄8in); 6x10.5cm (23⁄8x41⁄4in) Stitch time: 30 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. If you need some cardboard, simply cut up any old boxes or cereal packets you have spare We used white felt for a snow-covered roof effect - you can use a different colour if you prefer Make a… reindeer stable Step 1 STITCH two stable sides and two gable ends. Leave at least 4cm (1½in) between each section. Use two strands of stranded cotton for the cross stitch and one for the backstitch. Step 2 COMPLETE the stitching, then cut around each section leaving about 2cm (¾in) of unstitched fabric around all edges. Using the stitching as…

Like so many of you, I love to dress up for Christmas. I have several black sparkly dresses that I keep just for Christmas Day, and a special box of jewellery, but a girl can never have enough, and so what can be nicer than a hand-stitched pair of festive earrings? Plastic aida makes things so much easier, as you have no fraying fabric edges to contend with, and the hook slips easily through the plastic aida without making any holes. The materials we used for this project are all available from www.willow fabrics.com We'd love to see how you got on with making your earrings, so please send your pics to: crossstitcher@warnersgroup.co.uk, and you may even get your picture published in a future issue of CrossStitcher! How to… use…

ISSUE 377 DECEMBER 2021 On sale 2 November Inside this month ● Santa is coming to town… Celebrate with our hoop! ● Create our 3D Nativity scene ● Don’t miss our bonus collection of 20 gift tags! ● Stitch our cute Christmas character stocking for kids YOUR CHRISTMAS BUMPER PACK! ● Home for the Holidays decoration kit ● Your final kit for our exclusive Christmas Stitch-A-Long Contents subject to change. Overseas gifts may vary.…