Table of contents for December 2020 in CrossStitcher

EXCLUSIVE READER KITS! You can send off for a handy kit containing all the materials you need to make these projects. Simply visit craftmag.co/crossstitcherkits to order your kit today! Download your ready to print gift box from www.willowfabrics.com Designed by: Susan Penny Stitch count: 55 high x 32 wide Design size: 10x6cm (4x2¼in) Stitch time: 5 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Turn over to complete your mini festive sampler! Make an… angel gift box Step 1 TAKE a 15x7cm (6x2¾in) piece of 14 count white aida and complete the angel design in its centre. Step 2 USE two strands of blue stranded cotton to make a bow on the heart wreath. Step 3 PRINT the cardboard angel (see tip) and using a craft knife or…

AT WHAT POINT DO you declare it Christmas? If you are anything like us, it is probably not when the supermarkets start selling crackers or rolls of wrapping paper. Stitchers are different – even in mid-summer we’ve been known to hatch an idea for a gift to stitch, or to start a little set of decorations. With this is mind, putting together a magazine full of festive inspiration is a real high point of our year. We get to make our wish list of what we’d love to stitch! It’s become a bit of a tradition for us to feature a nostalgic Santa Claus design. This time Maria Diaz has done us proud (page 24) with an eager Santa decorating everything, including his reindeer! We feel Christmas is official when…

“I finished my craft room recently and from here I do a whole range of crafts but mainly cross stitch. You’ll see that I have upcycled everything in here, from a vintage 1950s glass cabinet for my sewing supplies, to my sewing desk that I painted myself. My favourite feature is probably my hoop wall where I display all my finished makes. You’ll see some past CrossStitcher magazine makes there plus lots of other designers and some of my own designs.” mindfulstitchingco.weebly.com 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!…

ROMANTIC FLOWERS IN CROSS STITCH SUZANA LIMA [Tuva Publishing] Indulge your inner romantic with this beautiful collection of floral designs to stitch. Suzana Lima has been inspired by many classic eras to come up with these creations, from Victorian and Edwardian times, to the Shabby Chic look and even Berlin wool work. Use the motifs you stitch to decorate bedding, lampshades, cushions, curtains, towels and more. There’s something here for both beginners and more advanced cross stitchers. MODERN FABRIC ABBY GILCHRIST & AMELIA POOLE [Princeton Architectural Press] In this book you get to take a peek inside the studios of some of today’s most well-known contemporary fabric designers from across the globe. From Kaffe Fassett to design collective Ruby Star Society, Modern Fabric shows how each works in a variety…

Designed by: Durene Jones Stitch count: 24 highx 120 wide Design size: 4x21.5cm (1½x8½in) Stitch time: 13 hours This design was stitched on 28 count evenweave working over two threads of fabric. Make a… cake band Step 1 MEASURE the circumference of your cake, adding on enough for an overlap. Cut your fabric to this length. If you are just going to stitch the design once, fold the fabric in half to find the centre and then start stitching here. If you would like to fill the band with stitching, plan the design before you begin, as the length of your band will dictate how much of the design you will need to repeat. Step 2 TURN over the long edges of the band, twice. Press, then catch stitch or…

CrossStitcher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch our Christmas Stocking, 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 Teal Skeins of DMC stranded cotton Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 NOTE: Backing fabric and ribbon not included How to order: Fill in the form on page 17 or go to www.willowfabrics.com to order your project pack at the CrossStitcher reader price of £25, plus P&P. Customise your stocking with the trim – we used white fake fur but you could go for pom-pom trim for an extra colourful look Materials Zweigart Teal 14 count aida, ref: 3706/5146; 50x36cm (19.x14in) Stranded cot…

Designed by: Cheryl McKinnon Stitch count: 44 high x 60 wide Design size: 8x11cm (3.x4.in) Stitch time: 6 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials For the card Zweigart Light Blue 14 count aida, ref: 3706/503; 15x20cm (6x8in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle White card blank with a 10x14cm (4x5½in) aperture Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com Make a… card and tag Step 1 TRIM the stitching to fit inside your card, with the design placed centrally behind the card’s aperture. Step 2 ATTACH double-sided tape to the inside of the card around the edge of the aperture. Place the stitching on the table right-side up, and then place the card on top, pressing down firmly. Check which flap will fold over…

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: Sampedro 14 count aida in White Skeins of DMC stranded cotton Skein of DMC Stranded Etoile Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 NOTE: Embroidery hoop not included How to order: Fill in the form on page 17 or go to www.willowfabrics.com to order your project pack at the CrossStitcher reader price of ?39.50, plus P&P. Materials Sampedro White 14 count aida; 50x50cm (19½x 19½in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key DMC Etoile as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Wooden embroidery hoop; 34cm (13½in) diameter Materials…

Welcome to the second part of our new fairytale project which is designed to be a bit more challenging for intermediate stitchers. There are several techniques to get stuck into this month – use beads and metallics combined with half stitching and French knots to create a rich ‘tapestry’ of cross stitches with a luxury look. Enjoy every stitch! For a longer project such as this we recommend using a roller frame Next issue you'll get to add green leaf sequins to the final part of this design Stitching your… Cinderella scene Step 1 START stitching with your fabric turned landscape. Part one of the design which was in the last issue, is the left section, and you should start stitching 12cm (5in) in from the left side of your…

Make a… mini sampler Step 1 NOTE that part 3 of this design needs to be stitched under part 1 and to the left of part 2, so that the outer border on the left-hand side and bottom match up. Step 2 USE two strands for the cross stitch, one for the backstitch, and one for the French knots. Use the same beads you used for part 1 of the SAL to stitch onto the present. Step 3 FOLD over the unstitched side edges of the stitching, leaving two or three blank aida squares around the design, then carefully catch stitch to the back. Fold over the top and bottom edges in the same way as the sides, stitch in place but leave a channel for adding a long wooden…

ALPINE STYLE INSPIRED BY our cake band on page 21, we’ve climbed every mountain to find the finest skiing and alpine designs… WHO Jody Rice has designed this striking Alpine banner as part of her Satsuma Street modern range. Buy the chart and stitch up one either using 14 count aida or 28 count linen. satsumastreet.com WHAT Bring a contemporary twist to home projects with this 100% cotton Apres Ski Now fabric part of Prestigious Textiles’ new Norweigian inspired collection. www.prestigious.co.uk HOW Whatever you’re stitching as a gift this year, you’ll need a special tag. Snowboarders and skiers dot the mountain in this tag to which you could attach a stitched initial as a patch to the reverse. www.sophieallport.com…

CrossStitcher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Jolly Holly-days, 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 Antique White Skeins of DMC stranded cotton Skein of DMC Light Effects Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 How to order: Fill in the form on page 17 or go to www.willowfabrics.com to order your project pack at the CrossStitcher reader price of £29.50 without hoop and £34 with hoop, both plus P&P. Designed by: Maria Diaz Stitch count: 129 high x 127 wide Design size: 24x23.5cm (9½x9½in) Stitch time: 34 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials Zweigart Antique…

Pro Tip Top designers share their favourite stitching tips “Go for pretty projects that are useful too” “I always encourage people to make pretty and useful cross stitch. This often means getting off the plain old white aida and onto something more exciting. For example try stitching your favourite pattern onto a jute shopping bag (roughly the same as 12 count for size), use coloured aida or an equivalent size evenweave and make your stitching into bunting or buy a piece of soluble canvas and stitch your favourite pattern onto a t-shirt, hoody or pillow case!” Hannah Sturrock www.bobostitch.co.uk Free kit fan Hi, Susan and Martin and the team! I really enjoy CrossStitcher, and the inspiring little kits, which are just about my level of competence and attention span! I…

When it comes to Christmas, Georgiabased Larissa Holland has the best felt ornaments all wrapped up! We asked her how her festive ornaments series came about… Hi Larissa. How did you first get into working with wool felt? Years ago when I was designing my first animal doll for my daughter’s birthday, Molly Monkey, I was looking for a way to add small details and accessories without the added bulk of turning under hems. Because it’s so easy to work with, doesn’t ravel, and comes in an amazing array of colours, wool felt was the perfect thing to use. Now it’s my favourite material to work with. Anyone who can sew a running stitch can make a simple felt ornament! All that’s needed to get started are wool felt, stuffing…

THE CHALLENGE 14 count white aida Seven shades of stranded cotton (shown above) 3in wooden embroidery hoop THE RULES Create a Christmas decoration in a hoop The design area is 42 x 42 stitches Only the materials above can be used Becreative as possible! Welcome to this month’s designer challenge! We’re celebrating Christmas this time and asking our three designs to create an original design starring an animal of their choice. Their chosen animal had to be looking suitably festive and they were given just seven thread shades to design with. If you’d like to stitch their clever creations we have the charts over the page. We hope their results will inspire you to join the fun – turn the page to see what our challenge will be for February…

Home for Christmas Wanting to give your home a bit of extra festive flair this year? Rico’s new chart book, no.172 Christmas Is In The Air, is packed to bursting with beautiful cross stitch ideas for glittering home accessories. You can whip up both classic and modern designs on items such as napkins, tablecloths and pillows. There are also designs for hoops and Rico’s new triangular frames as well as an Advent calendar. Motifs include mistletoe wreaths, angels and reindeer – this book will have you covered for Christmassy home decor! www.rico-design.com QUICK & CHRISTMASSY NO TIME to stitch for Christmas? We’re sure you can spare a few hours to make up these super-easy mini hoops from the Make Arcade. The Robin and Sprout kits come with a 3in hoop,…

Hullo! It’s that time of the year when many will be thinking about making New Year’s resolutions. Whether you make them or not, the end of one year and the beginning of another is a fantastic opportunity to look at life and see if there are adjustments to make. One thing I’ll be trying to do more of is forgetting the to-do list and lowering my expectations for what ‘needs’ doing. Like many of us, I was raised with the idea that ‘fun time’ was a luxury and, if there’s no time for it, it should be abandoned. It may have been good for getting Little Jess to do her chores (no one likes to be threatened with a lack of a good time!), but to some extent, I have…

CrossStitcher is the UK’s longest-established cross stitch magazine, bringing you irresistible projects from top designers. It’s packed with quality content from quick and easy, to classic samplers, from greetings cards to contemporary cushions. We pride ourselves on an upbeat and friendly approach to make every stitcher welcome, whatever their experience and ability. We know how to treat our subscribers well, so make sure you aren’t missing out on a single issue and make sure you subscribe today! Already a subscriber? Well it doesn’t hurt to remind yourself of the amazing benefits we’re giving you each and every issue. Not subscribed yet? You’re missing all this… SUBSCRIBER BENEFITS: Free kit with every issue, sometimes two kits! Help shape our content – we are actively looking for new and talented designers Save…

NICKY THOMPSON Don’t be too ambitious with your gift list, they don’t need to all be huge complicated stitches to be appreciated. ESTHER RACHAEL HILL I’m not very speedy so I often do the little samplers at the start of the magazines. I turn them into cards or tree decorations; either way they are always a lovely gift however small! It’s the thought that counts. JANETTE MCPHERSON I don’t need any. I absolutely love Christmas stitching. Loving the CrossStitcherStitch-A-long and the gifts. Keeping me happy and busy as I was recently made redundant. EMMA NUTTALL I do little cards all year round in between bigger projects. MABEL DE LAS HERAS I start in August! KATE KNIGHT Start next year’s Christmas project the day after Christmas. You never know what might…

Giveaways open 3 – 30 November 2020 STITCHING PRIZES FOR YOU! We’ll Meet Again kits This charming nostalgic scene was created for the ‘Golden Years’ range by Peter Underhill for Heritage Crafts. Each ‘We’ll Meet Again’ kit contains Zweigart aida fabric, DMC stranded cottons, needle, clear charts and instructions. Its design size is 14.5x19cm, and it has an RRP of ?24.95 from hcrafts.com. We have three kits to give away. Enter by post to the address below, labelling your entry ‘GOLDEN YEARS GIVEAWAY XST364’. Kitten Cuddles kits New from Goldleaf Needlework is this first design in a new range by Genny Haines. The kittens are called Ginger and Biscuit and the first design is Kitten Cuddles and comes in two versions, Kitten Cuddles in the Rain or Kitten Cuddles in…

Prize crossword Across 1 Synthetic yarn (5) 4 Serviceman (7) 8 Tin (3) 9 Decade of Jaws and Charlie’s Angels (9) 10 Academic writing (5) 12 The Princess ---, 2001 Julie Andrews film (7) 15 Say again (6) 17 Fridge (6) 20 Decorative effect in a stitching project (7) 23 Santa’s helpers (5) 25 --- Wants To Rule The World, Tears for Fears hit (9) 26 Neither (3) 27 Argument (7) 28 Savour (5) Down 1 Atomic energy (7) 2 Breathing organs (5) 3 Unpleasant (5) 4 Rescued (5) 5 Evenweave fabric in a 27 count (5) 6 First letter of a name (7) 7 Romantic flowers (5) 11 Chopping tool (3) 13 Imperial unit of length (4) 14 Shock (4) 16 Astronomical bodies (7) 18 Wise bird? (3) 19 Save…