Table of contents for August 2022 in CrossStitcher

Cross & carry Stitch your own backpack! This stylish bag kit has a perforated leather flap so it can be cross stitched to create your own wearable work of art. It comes with pink cotton lining, pockets and a back pocket to carry a 13in laptop, or A4 files. Choose from a range of designs, such as flower patterns, city skylines or 3D text, to name just a few, or create your own cross stitch design from scratch. Each backpack comes with a swing tag, pink and gold thread with needle on an aeroplane shaped bobbin. A wonderful way to carry your love of cross stitch with you every day! wearechasingthreads.com STORE IN STYLE MADE IN the UK, this pot bag made from unbleached cotton and canvas is decorated with a…

Take advantage of our exclusive offers to UK readers and receive special discount prices… Celebrate the summer with our ‘By the Sea’ selection of great kits, perfect for holiday stitching… These kits are a great way to celebrate the summer – six fabulous designs to remind you of a seaside holiday. If you’re looking for sand, sea and sun, then look no further than these handy kits that can be made up into cards for summer birthdays, thank yous, or just to say hello! Each kit contains 14 count aida fabric, stranded cotton, a needle, chart and full instructions – perfect for beginners, and quick to stitch for any level. Choose from the following designs: Beach Hut 01 🌼 Fishing Boat 02 🌼 Crab 03 🌼 Fish 04 🌼 Seagull…

Cross Stitcher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Beachcomber Collection, 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: Sampedro 14 count aida in White Skeins of DMC stranded cotton Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 Printer’s tray How to order: Go to www.willowfabrics.com or turn to page 15 to order your project pack at the CrossStitcher reader price of £43.20, plus P&P, or £18 for just the Printer’s Tray. Designed by: Durene Jones Max. stitch count: 40 x 40 small; 40 x 86 large Max. design size: 7x7cm (2¾x2¾in) small; 7x14.5cm (2¾x5¾in) large Stitch time: 47 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric.…

We asked our fans on Facebook, “What’s the most unusual place you’ve taken your stitching to work on?” IRIS DE GANS On a terrace in Greece, the old ladies came to look at it! KATE MANVELL All of my cruises – my cross stitch had travelled with me. SHIRLEY CASLICK If there will be any waiting time I always have some stitching with me. For when the car is at the garage, waiting for out of town hospital visits, anywhere I may have to wait at all. RHIANNON M JONES On a cruise, to the North Pole area – yes polar bear country! DIANE NAPIER Sat in a meadow. CAMILLA LYKKEBØE NYGAARD To the Austrian Alps on a skiing trip with my son’s school – while taking care of students…

Materials Zweigart White 14 count aida; 5x12.5cm (2x5in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Old Sylko cotton reel Large buttons x 2 7mm (1⁄8in) ribbon x 36cm (14in) Hi Tack glue or Fray Check Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com Designed by: Maria Diaz Stitch count: 15 high x 55 wide Design size: 2.5x9.5cm (1x3¾in) Stitch time: 2 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Make a… scissor fob Step 1 STITCH the design in the centre of the aida, using two strands of stranded cotton for the cross stitch and one for the backstitch. Step 2 COMPLETE the stitching, then check the fit on your cotton reel. We needed to cut right on the edge of the design to fit ours. Do this…

As it’s the final part of summer, it’s time to capture its magic in stitches. We’ve asked three designers this month to come up with a design for a summer garden biscornu but they could only use the materials listed on the left, making sure to include the seven shades of stranded cotton we chose and two buttons to create the biscornu shape. Take a look at their 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 October – we’ve listed everything you need to take part. THE CHALLENGE THE RULES CHERYL MCKINNON… WATERING…

WE JUST SPENT a weekend escorting two of our daughters to a concert at London’s Wembley Arena. It was worth the eff ort, but after two days of tube trains and as much sight-seeing as possible, we were pleased to be back home in our familiar, calmer, surroundings. We feel a similar way about CrossStitcher too. We really want it to feel like the calm of coming home after a busy day – a chance to relax and sink into the familiar, and also a place to be inspired. To welcome you this month we have a ‘wave’ of nostalgia with a mini printers’ tray filled with images of a summer beach (page 18). Each design slots into a different section in the tray, making it rewarding to complete one…

“I'm lucky to have a garden studio, with three work stations along one wall for packing orders and making up kits. A large table for work projects doubles up as a teaching table when I run workshops. It's always a hive of activity, hosting open days, workshops, stitching days and filming/zoom classes. There is always time for a quick ‘cuppa’ at the little tea station. It is my haven, with its beautiful views of the garden filled with bird life.” LornaBatemanEmbroidery.com www.etsy.com/uk/shop/LornaBatemanOfficial 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!…

Hullo! Anyone who has been reading my articles for a while may have noticed that I’m a big fan of plants. I love my garden, but unfortunately so do pests – they’re forever nibbling on my produce! I’m all for live and let live – a few aphids here and there is really no big deal – but I also don’t want all my hard work to be turned into a smorgasbord for insects who have never pulled a weed in their lives. Just like pests in the garden, the stresses of life are inevitable. A few here and there are easy to cope with and can even be quite motivating. But if it gets out of control, then the deleterious effects can overwhelm and destroy a carefully and lovingly…

If you would like to cover a notebook and it’s a different size, modify the instructions by carefully measuring the book cover and adding on extra fabric if needed for the turnings and flaps Materials Sampedro White 14 count aida; 18x31.5cm (7x121⁄2in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Lining fabric; 18x31.5cm (7x121⁄2in) Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com Designed by: Cheryl McKinnon Stitch count: 70 high x 49 wide Design size: 12.5x9cm (5x31⁄2in) Stitch time: 10 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Double-check that you’ll be stitching in the correct position on your fabric – it’s easy to accidentally stitch the design on the back cover! Make a… passport cover Step 1 WRAP your fabric around the passport to check the position of…

Designed by: Durene Jones Stitch count: 46 high x 38 wide Design size: 8.5x7cm (31⁄4x23⁄4in) 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…

You could co-ordinate your hoops to your nursery decor scheme by painting them using em ulsion tester pots Cross Stitcher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Creature Comforts, 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: Sampedro 14 count aida in White Skeins of DMC stranded cotton 12.5cm (5in) wooden embroidery hoops x 4 Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 This pack contains enough materials to make all four hoops 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 £35.50, plus P&P. Designed by: Rebecca Spencer Max. stitch count: 64…

Unleash your stitching abilities upon the CrossStitcher Digital Library with over 5,500 fantastic charts to choose from! Stitch masterpieces to give to friends, or yourself, such as this fabulous summer scene by Jane Prutton from the July 2017 issue! With more charts, advice and inspiration being added every month, see where your stitching could take you… Try today: bit.ly/CROSLIBRARY *Offer is for an annual subscription, available on a UK Direct Debit or recurring card payment option for UK and overseas residents.…

Welcome to our latest project that’s designed to be a bit more challenging. We are delivering this ‘Map Of The Heavens’ design over two issues. This stunning project is worked on navy fabric so that every detail stands out beautifully – with glow-in-the-dark threads used so you can feel as if you are truly seeing stars! Enjoy stitching with beads and blended threads too. Designed by: Amanda Butler Stitch count: 204 high x 178 wide (complete design Design size: 38x32cm (15x121⁄2in) Stitch time: 86 hours (complete design) This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. You can attach your beads with one strand of cotton doubled-up, splitting the threads around the bead before tightening, for a firmer fix We have given you the complete key and thread count for…

I started thinking about my dreams on mid-summer’s day, when people went to Stonehenge to watch the sun rise over the stones. They say your dreams are more powerful on that day when the sun is closest the the earth. Dreamcatchers and mandalas both have their roots in Native American traditions, and both help to protect and keep you safe. If you are suffering from bad dreams, why not hang this dreamcatcher with its mandala over your bed, and bring positive energy to your world! Make a… dreamcatcher Step 1 REMOVE one ring from an embroidery hoop and wrap the end of a skein of stranded cotton around it a couple of times, finishing with a knot. Tighten the knot, adding a dab of glue to secure. Step 2 MAKE…

Accomplished cross stitch designer Hélène Le Berre brings you 14 stunningly beautiful alphabets to embroider. All of the alphabet designs are inspired by natural themes, including birds, animals and flowers. There are comprehensive instructions and stitch charts for each one, plus ideas are provided on how to use the motifs to decorate projects such as a make-up bag, an apron and a tote bag. Get your copy: bit.ly/CROSSHOP *This product is subject to availability and priced correctly at the time of publication. Geographic restrictions might apply.…

THEHANDMADEBUTTONS Jazz up a stitched card or use for the back of our ladybird cushion, these Ladybird 18mm handmade fabric buttons are perfect! RIBBONQUEENUK With a wire edging, this Ladybird Ladybug and Clover 1.5in wide ribbon is fantastic for adding a flourish to gift tags or cards. THEQUILTSANCTUARY This Ladybird Quilting fabric is part of the Wildflower Farm range by Quilting Treasures and is 100% cotton and 42in wide.…

BOB ROSS CROSS STITCH: 12 HAPPY LITTLE CROSS STITCH PATTERNS HALEY PIERSON-COX [becker&mayer!] The legacy of artist Bob Ross’s calming painting shows on TV continues with this book of 12 patterns featuring his quotes and the materials needed to make a couple of the designs. Quotes such as, “We don’t make mistakes. We just have happy accidents.” are as iconic as the man himself. The kit includes two pieces of fabric, needle, stranded cotton and embroidery hoop. The instruction book contains the charts for all 12 designs inspired by Bob's quotes. LET’S TRAVEL DURENE JONES [Tuva Publications] Regular CrossStitcher designer Durene brings to you a selection of landscape themed designs, from quaint cottages and gardens, to coastal shorelines, cityscapes, wintery scenes and tropical islands. The designs vary from borders to…

Cross Stitcher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Ladybird, Ladybird, 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 Celedon Green Skeins of DMC stranded cotton Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 PLEASE NOTE: The chart, 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 £26.50, plus P&P. Alter the look of your cushion by using a different shade of green aida to stitch on Designed by: Susan Bates Stitch count: 140 high x 140…

When Durene Jones found herself out of work, she spent time drawing, designing and stitching. A graphic designer by trade, she thought she would take the leap to creating charts and plucked up the courage to send some examples to magazine editors. Now one of the most established designers in the business and a regular designer for CrossStitcher, she shares what it’s like to be the proud author of not one, but eight cross stitch books… Hi Durene! Can you tell us how did working on your own cross stitch books come about? I was approached by Tuva Publishing to do some work for their Kanavice magazine. After working with them for a little while, they asked if I’d like to produce a book. Of course, I said yes! Do…

We have greyed out the border which appeared in the March issue. The grid lines are correct for the complete design, but the centre marks indicate the centre of just this motif. Designed by: Amanda Butler Stitch count: 50 high x 50 wide Design size: 9.5x9.5cm (3¾x3¾in) Stitch time: 12 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. THE CHART EACH square on the chart represents a single cross stitch. Start from the centre of the design and your fabric. The centre of our charts are indicated by arrows at the designs’ edges. To find your fabric’s centre, fold it in half and into quarters. THE KEY ALL THE symbols that appear on the chart are listed in the key with their corresponding thread codes beside them. The…