Table of contents for November 2017 in CrossStitcher

Designed by: Susan Penny Stitch count: 61 high x 61 wide Design size: 11.5x11.5cm (4½x4½in) Stitch time: 6 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Make a… Scandi Santa decoration Step 1 STITCH on a 13x13cm (5x5in) piece of white 14 count aida fabric. Use individual backstitches rather than trailing across the aida where you can, as this will give a chequer board effect, particularly on Santa’s coat pattern. Step 2 COMPLETE the stitching, then roll the aida around into a cone shape. Leaving one square of blank fabric either side of the outer red stitched rows at the back of Santa’s coat, fold the excess fabric to the wrong side of the stitching. Step 3 CUT away some of the excess fabric from the bottom…

Jody Rice is owner/designer at popular brand Satsuma Street. “This year I began a series of patterns based on the 12 signs of the zodiac. I have a background in animation, which I think comes through in my sketches, especially this one for the proud Leo. “I’ve chosen to stitch on black, which makes the bright colours come to life. I always keep colourful artwork and objects on my desk for inspiration when I’m choosing floss colours.” www.etsy.com/uk/ shop/SatsumaStreet…

I wish I could get to know each and every one of you personally. If I could, I’d ask if you have any siblings? Big family? Small family? I think you can find out so much about a person based on how they were raised and what growing up was like for them. My family has been on the ‘small’ side for generations. I have one sibling – an older sister, Emily. My dad is one of two children and his sister has three children. My mom is one of three children, and her sister has two children, and her brother has none. So – you know. Relatively small families. But I’d like to tell you a little bit about my sister, Emily. She’s older than me by three years…

If using two strands of cotton to attach your beads, let one strand lie on each side of the bead to secure Designed by: Durene Jones Stitch count: 174 high x 186 wide Design size: 32x33.5cm (12½x13¼in) Stitch time: 84 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials • Zweigart Sky Glitter 14 count aida, ref: 3706/5169; 55x55cm (21½x21½in) • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Kreinik braid 8 as listed in the key • Mill Hill beads as listed in the key • Size 24 tapestry needle • Frame with a 37x37cm (14½x14½in) aperture • Mount board to fit frame For stockist details see page 89 How to… frame a picture Step 1 CUT a piece of white mount board to fit…

This is the perfect Christmas project for beginner stitchers as it is worked mainly in whole stitches, with just a touch of backstitching to complete it We attached coordinating ribbon tied in a flouncy bow for the perfect finishing touch Designed by: Lucie Heaton Stitch count: 68 high x 69 wide Design size: 12.5x12.5cm (5x5in) Stitch time: 8 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials • Zweigart Snow Glitter 14 count aida, ref: 3706/0011; 25.5x25.5cm (10x10in) • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Size 24 tapestry needle • Wooden hoop; 15cm (6in) diameter For stockist details see page 89 How to… frame your work in a hoop Step 1 TRIM your stitching and a fabric piece into a circle slightly larger…

Christmas wrapping can be as special as the gift itself and we think adding a stitched gift tag will be the perfect finishing touch! We have three ideas to tempt you. First, we have the cutest reindeer with a bright red cross stitched nose, stitched onto a bright white card. Next, we have a gorgeous polka dot fabric gift tag with a little pocket for adding a festive treat or two… And finally, this cute 3D tree, stitched onto perforated paper, and topped with a twinkling star. They’re all simple and fun to make – enjoy! MAKE A… RUDOLPH TAG Quick to stitch but oh-so-effective, you’ll love our reindeer tag. Step 1 COPY the cross stitch nose motif onto a piece of graph paper, and trace the reindeer outline below…

Take care not to carry black thread across the back when stitching the greetings in case it shows through Designed by: Durene Jones Max. stitch count: 52 high x 38 wide Max design size: 9.5x7.5cm (3¾x3in) Stitch time: 4 hours each These designs were stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials  For each card • Zweigart Antique White 14 count aida, ref: 3706/0101; 15x12.5cm (6x5in) • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Size 24 tapestry needle • Card blank with an 11.5x9cm (4½x3½in) rectangular aperture For stockist details see page 89 Make an… aperture card Step 1 WORK all the cross stitch in two strands of stranded cotton, with one strand for the backstitch and French knots. Step 2 TRIM the stitched fabric to fit your…

Birthday surprises Ican’t wait to read my CrossStitcher each month when it lands on my doormat. In a recent issue a lady near Solihull advertised some old CrossStitcher magazines available for collection. I was so pleased with my stash! I started looking through them and this beautiful unicorn’s head leapt off the front cover of one edition. I knew I had to complete this piece. My eldest son’s fiancée loved items with unicorns on them and as it was her 40th birthday in August I set about the hardest project I had done! It took me 38 days to complete, sometimes spending 5-6 hours a day on it. It is now hanging in pride of place in her lounge. Unbelievably, I realised my other son’s partner also shared exactly the…

Designed by: Amanda Butler Stitch count: 132 high x 101 wide Design size: 23.5x18.5cm (9¼x7¼in) Stitch time: 36 hours This design was stitched on 27 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. Materials • Zweigart Black 27 count Linda, ref: 1235/720; 48x40.5cm (19x16in) • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • DMC Light Effects as listed in the key • Size 26 tapestry needle • Wooden dowel; 20mm (¾in) diameter x 23cm (9in) x 2 lengths • Black buttons x 4 For stockist details see page 89 Make a… wall hanging Step 1 FOLD your completed nativity scene lengthways, bringing the long edges of the fabric together, with the reverse side of the stitching on the outside. Machine stitch down the seam, and then turn to the…

THE ESSENTIAL KIT YOU’LL NEED TO START STITCHING NEEDLES For basic stitching you’ll need a tapestry needle that has a blunt tip and large eye. Use a size 24 needle for most aidas, and a size 26 for evenweaves and linens. Use a sharp embroidery needle for finer details such as backstitch and French knots. EMBROIDERY SCISSORS Embroidery scissors are an absolute must-have. Keep yours sharp by only using them to cut threads. STRANDED COTTON Embroidery thread is also called stranded cotton. Each thread length is made up of six strands of cotton twisted together. The chart key will tell you how many strands you’ll need to stitch with. HOOPS AND FRAMES Though not absolutely essential, we do recommend using an embroidery hoop or frame to keep an even stitching…

CAN YOU FEEL A HINT of festive sparkle yet? (Don’t you dare say ‘bah humbug!’) Everyone likes to act surprised when they spot Christmas gift wrap and those dangerously large tins of chocolates in the supermarket aisles in September. How many times have you felt a bit grumpy about it all starting too early? But if you take a moment, could you feel like a child again just for a second? We’d like to help you summon up that kind of childhood excitement again, and the way to tackle this as a grown up is to get ahead and be organised, then there maybe enough time to enjoy those old feelings. This issue we present a collection of all the Christmas designs you need to get your plans in order,…

WOOLCOUTURECOMPANY Use up odd lengths of yarn and stranded cotton to make these gorgeous mini Wooden Christmas Tree Decorations. LILLYBLOSSOM Get creative with your decorations and download a PDF tutorial to learn how to make this stunning Felt Bauble and Ruffle Wreath. CINNAMONSTITCHES123 Capture the beauty of a multifaceted bauble in cross stitch with this chart that’s available for instant download.…

HELLO KITTY: 12 SUPERCUTE PATTERNS JOHN LOHMAN & RHYS TURTON [Becker & Mayer!] With this book you can start stitching right away! It includes a needle, stranded cotton, a 6in hoop and enough fabric to complete two projects from the 12 patterns inside. There are full step-by-step instructions and photos of the projects, and Hello Kitty fans will love the little extra notes and facts provided about the characters you are stitching. STITCH CLUB VOLUME 1 JACQUI PEARCE [Crafteratti Press] “The First Rule of Stitch Club… tell everyone about Stitch Club!” Jacqui Pearce has put together a collection of some of her favourite patterns from her Crafteratti limited edition Stitch Club boxes, including quick makes, alphabets and more, each stitched ‘supersize’ by using wool on canvas. Jacqui explains how you…

Your materials pack contains: • Zweigart 14 count aida in sky glitter • Skeins of DMC stranded cotton • Kreinik 8 braid • Mill Hill beads • 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 £46.15, plus P&P.…

Before stitching with the blending filament, run your needle and thread through a slightly dampened cloth or sponge to smooth the fibres down and remove any static Designed by: Maria Diaz Stitch count: 119 high x 172 wide Design size: 21.5x31cm (8¾x12¼in) Stitch time: 45 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials • Zweigart Snow Glitter 14 count aida, ref: 3706/0011; 38x51cm (15x20in) • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Kreinik blending filament as listed in the key • Size 24 tapestry needle • Frame with a 24x34cm (9½x13½in) aperture • Mount board to fit frame For stockist details see page 89…

CASSIE RUTH I start about July and hopefully finish in November – stitched 33 cards so far and five tree ornaments, stitching is never a problem it’s the assembly that takes time! SARAH MARIE SHEARS I love the idea of doing one ornament a month or a card a month. That way there’s no mad rush during the last part of the year. SUE HAMBLY I never stop. I love stitching small Christmas designs in between larger ones. The colours of Christmas are very refreshing on the eyes, I find. My grandchildren usually get one each and tree decorations. CAROLYN GARRETT I stitch Christmas cards/decorations throughout the year so it isn’t such a last-minute panic... then I spot the perfect Christmas stitch in one of the magazines and so I…

THE CHALLENGE • One piece of white 14 count aida fabric • Five shades of stranded cotton plus gold metallic (shown above) • Three buttons • One mystery ingredient of your own choice THE RULES • Create a retro Christmas Card • Only the materials above can be used • The design must be no larger than 42x42 stitches • Be creative as possible! Christmas always makes us feel nostalgic so we asked three designers to create a retro-style card to send this year – but with the usual twist that they could only work with the materials we’d given them. See left for the limited amount of supplies they were allowed to use. We hope this will inspire you to join in too – turn the page to see what our challenge will be for January –…

WORKING ON A DARKER FABRIC: By using a black aida background some of the details are effectively created using negative shapes – here the palm trees and parts of the landscape have been formed in this way. METALLIC THREADS FOR SPARKLE: The bright star in the East hovering over Bethlehem is brought to life with light gold DMC Light Effects metallic thread. You'll find it used for a few French knots too. DENSE AREAS OF BRIGHT STITCHING: The dark fabric allows areas of colour and metallics to form the vibrant buildings. Use the park and stitch method of threading several needles to save time here.…

STARS OUR BETHLEHEM picture on page 77 will have you starry-eyed, so try these sparkling goodies in your stitching too… WHO Berisfords Ribbons have created this popular Magic Star Christmas Ribbon which is perfect for cards and stitched hangers. www.simplyribbons.com WHAT Decorate your stitched cards this Christmas with these rustic-style Heritage Christmas Star with Button Hessian Toppers. www.hobbycraft.co.uk HOW Making Christmas bunting? Attach this Silver Stars Christmas Garland along the top of your stitching for extra sparkle. www.dotcomgiftshop.com…

 Designed by: Durene Jones Max. stitch count: 33 high x 26 wide Max. design size: 5.5x4.5cm (2¼x1¾in) Stitch time: 3 hours each You could fill these with actual mini marshmallows instead to turn them into a cute gift idea! These designs were stitched using 14 count waste canvas. Materials • Zweigart 14 count waste canvas ref: 510; 10x10cm (4x4in) x 2 pieces • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Size 24 tapestry needle • Green, blue, white felt pieces; 23x23cm (9x9in) x 2 pieces of each colour • 5.5cm (2¼in) circle of thin card x 2 pieces For stockist details see page 89 Make a… mug decoration Step 1 CUT out from felt for each mug – two 5.5cm (2¼in) circles for the base, a strip…

When it comes to Christmas time, there’s so much to inspire us stitchers, from the colours and sparkle of the season to the challenge of making decorations and gifts in time for December 25 th  . We chatted to four designers about their seasonal stitching inspiration, and what they hope to find under the tree… SARA ABDELMAGEED Little Beach Hut w w w.littlebeachhut.com Tell us a bit about your crafty business! I started Little Beach Hut when I was looking for a cross stitch to do for my twin babies’ bedroom and I couldn’t find anything I liked, so I drew up some animals and started stitching them and just kept on going! What inspires you about Christmas? Winter is my favourite time of year. I love to wrap…

Your materials pack contains: • Zweigart 14 count aida in Snow Glitter • Skeins of DMC stranded cotton • Kreinik blending filament • 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 £33, plus P&P.…

Your materials pack contains: • Zweigart 14 count aida in Sky Glitter • 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 £23, plus P&P.…

Why not add some ric-rac trim to the top of your apron pocket for extra decoration? Stitch count: 52 high x 76 wide Design size: 9.5x14cm (3¾x5½in) Stitch time: 12 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials Apron • Zweigart Minty Glitter 14 count aida, ref: 3706/6219; 28x38cm (11x15in) • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Size 24 tapestry needle • Cotton apron For stockist details see page 89 Make an… apron pocket Step 1 COMPLETE your stitching, then cut a 30.5x20cm (8x12in) rectangle from your stitched aida, with the design in the centre, rounding off the bottom corners. Turn over the top edge of the fabric twice to neaten, machine stitching along the seam. Step 2 TURN under around the remaining…

Desperately seeking I’m not sure if anyone will be able to help but I’m currently completing as many of the small cross stitch kits I’ve got in my craft things as I can. I’ve lost the pages from an old issue which would have had the chart for the free Complete Pooh kit and mount which had come with the magazine. Sadly the kit doesn’t have any indication of which issue it was or even which year, I reckon late 90s. All I can say is that it’s of Pooh Bear looking directly at you wearing a red and green stripy scarf which overlaps the blue outline of the picture. There are also three blue snowballs in the background around his face. The mount which came with it has Pooh,…