Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2019 i Cross Stitch Crazy

… to the March issue of Crazy! I love this time of year – winter melts into spring as we snuggle up on our sofas, planning new stitchy projects for the season ahead! I hope you’ll join us and get stuck into something new this month, too – perhaps our adorable pair of bears on page 10, or the colourful koi carp on page 42. They look ever so chic when framed in simple wooden hoops! Of course, this month also means Mother’s Day, and I’ll be treating my mum to a card from our set of supermum cards and tags – have a look on page 28. And for any new babies due this spring, try Sosae Caetano’s fun birth sampler banner on page 72. But be sure to…

We’re all on the lookout for those precious first buds of spring, waiting for them to poke their little heads through the ground and bring a vibrant splash of colour to the wintry landscape. This elegant design by Cheryl McKinnon is just the thing to stitch while keeping an eye out for those early shoots, with pretty pink and purple flowers bordered by fresh green leaves for a glamourous springtime look. The kit has everything you need to stitch and finish your beautiful bookmark, which you can also use as a card – great for any occasion, including Mother’s Day. Inside, you’ll find an aperture bookmark, 14-count aida, thread, a needle, an envelope and three pretty felt flowers – stitch them into place to give your piece a lovely 3D…

Whether he’s solving gritty crimes as the title character in lauded BBC One drama Luther, protecting Asgard as Heimdall in Marvel’s Thor or holding the universe together in Stephen King’s The Dark Tower, Idris Elba has become one of the biggest – and most beloved – stars on both the big and small screen! Not content to simply take over the acting world, this Golden Globe winner has also found success in music as DJ Big Driis and worked with Parliament to help fight Ebola in Africa. Stitch this amazing star today! Reader’s pick! Requested by THOMAS POAD Who would you like to see as a Crazy Celeb stitch? It might be your favourite actor, a Hollywood icon or even a sporting great! Email your requests to celebstitch@cross-stitching.com or post…

TINY TREATS With 290 designs to choose from, Mouseloft are famous for their little kits, all created in their signature adorable style. Some even come with sweet cards or hoops to finish your work! This classic Summertime Donkey kit, part of the Stitchlets range, is one of our favourites! Prices start at £1.44. To buy, visit www.mouseloft.co.uk ANIMAL FANS Bring some ‘awww’ to your table with a Little Friends coaster kit from Heritage Crafts. The range is designed by Valerie Pfeiffer and Susan Ryder and is stitched on 14-count aida. The projects measure 8x8cm (3¼x3¼in) and cost £11.60 each, including a square coaster to finish. To buy, visit www.hcrafts.com or call ☎ 01889 575 256 NEW ARRIVALS If you need a new baby present in a hurry, try one of…

Need to know Stitch Time 3-4 hours each Stitch Types Whole cross stitch, backstitch ShoppingList… Threads - Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle - Size 24 tapestry needle Fabric - Zweigart 14-count white aida measuring 12x12cm (4¾x4¾in) for each design. To buy, visit www.sewandso.co.uk or call ☎ 0800 013 0150 Extras - Square aperture cards (AP16U) in parch marque white (31). To buy, visit www.craftcreations.com or call ☎ 01992 781 900; washi tape of your choice from local stores…

Drifting gently through the water, floating among the lotus flowers and lily pads, these colourful koi seem to be filled with a deep sense of quiet wellbeing – and it’s catching! We think this set would look right at home in a bedroom or living room, or anywhere you feel could benefit from a little tranquility. And best of all, these designs are worked in whole stitches only, so you can use them for stress-free, meditative stitching sessions! Need to know Stitch Time 10-12 hours each (approx) Stitch Types Whole cross stitch ShoppingList… Threads - Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle - Size 24 tapestry needle Fabric - Zweigart 14-count white aida measuring 23x23cm (9x9in) for each design. To buy, visit www.sewandso.co.uk or call ☎ 0800 013 0150…

Follow the sounds of rustling leaves and dancing footsteps, and tucked away in a garden corner you just might find the Green Man celebrating the arrival of the new season. With bright berries and friendly fungi adorning his leafy mane, this jolly character is a delight to behold – and even more so to stitch. With bold greens, vibrant reds and warm browns worked in a variety of stitches, this green-fingered finish is sure to get you ready for all the joys of spring! Need to know Stitch Time 70 hours (approx) Stitch Types Whole cross stitch, fractionals, backstitch, French knots ShoppingList… Threads - Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle - Size 24 tapestry needle Fabric - Zweigart 14-count celadon aida (3607/611) measuring 35x35cm (13¾x13¾in). To buy, visit…

Framing your finished work 1 If you’re framing a piece yourself, start by lacing the work using strong thread and a piece of foam board to stretch it over. See www.crossstitching.com/feature/making/framing-your-work for more 2 Always use acid-free backing material when framing and seal the back with acid-free tape to keep moisture out. This will prevent your work from rotting over time. 3 Framing with glass can trap moisture and cause condensation. Don’t let the glass touch your stitches – use spacers to create a gap to allow the air to circulate in the frame. 4 If your design has a border, you don’t need to add a mount when framing. The border does the work of surrounding the piece for you. 5 When framing a piece of work without glass,…

This month: Love Spread love far and wide with these sweet and speedy stitches, packed full of affection, romance and, best of all, absolute stitching joy! Love is… £3.68, Definition of Love by futska www.futska.etsy.com Say it simply with this striking stitch, which is worked in only two colours. It’s easy enough, even for complete beginners, and can be stitched on your choice of fabric. It would make an ideal anniversary or wedding gift, or a sweet token for a good friend! Head over heels £2.94, I Turtley Love You by ringcat www.ringcat.etsy.com Raise a smile with this punny project, designed especially for the one you love! It uses whole stitches and backstitch in seven thread shades, and would make a brilliant gift to send to your partner. Hearts and flowers…

AFGHAN – a woollen blanket or rug with areas for cross stitching AIDA – the most common cross stitching fabric, made up of thread woven in blocks rather than singly AIDA BAND – a thin strip of aida with a decorative edge, used to adorn towels, bookmarks, etc. Comes in various widths APERTURE – the space through which a design is shown (mainly on cards and in frames) BEADING NEEDLE – a long, fine needle that slides easily through seed and bugle beads DESIGN AREA – the measurement of the finished design, depending on the count of fabric used EVENWEAVE – fabric made from evenly-spaced woven threads. It’s softer and more flexible than aida FABRIC COUNT – the number of holes per inch (HPI) on your fabric. The higher the…

Katie Kegie Art Editor This month… “I adore the sweet bears by Makiko on page 10 – they’re irresistible!” Louise Smith Production Editor This month… “There’s a space on my living room wall for the koi carp on page 42!” Emily Godwin Designer This month… “I have a couple weddings coming up, so I’m making the cards on page 37” Fiona Baker Technical Editor This month… “I know a Formula One fan who’s going to like all the motifs on page 34!” Heather Nugent Charting Editor This month… “I love the clever fringed banner finish on the baby sampler on page 72” Hannah Erskine Charting Assistant This month… “I’m planning on stitching Durene Jones’ fabulous Green Man on page 54” Contact crazy www.facebook.com/crossstitchcrazy www.twitter.com/crazy_magazine www.cross-stitching.com ☎ 0117 300 8788 Cross…

Ever since our school days, the ancient Egyptian empire has filled us with wonder – we loved learning about its fantastic Gods, royal tombs and powerful Pharoahs! If you feel the same, this collection is bound to capture your imagination and have you dreaming of a trip to visit Giza’s pyramids and the Great Sphinx. Share your excitement with your loved ones by making these designs into all sorts of unique gifts! Need to know Stitch Time 1-6 hours each (approx) Stitch Types Whole cross stitch, fractionals, backstitch, French knots ShoppingList… Threads - Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle - Size 24 tapestry needle Fabric - Zweigart 14-count white aida measuring a maximum of 15x15cm (6x6in) for most designs and 14-count 1in white aida band cut to desired…

Let’s hear it for all the truly amazing mums out there! This Mother’s Day, you can show yours just how super-special you think she is with these exciting cartoon-style cards, complete with comic book text effects. Made from solid blocks of colour in whole stitches with dynamic black backstitch outlines, these designs are easy to stitch and striking to look at. Once you’ve made up your card, embellish it with extra comic-style effects and give it alongside a gift with a super tag, cut to shape using sharp scissors and layered up on colourful cardstock. Need to know Stitch Time 2-8 hours (approx) Stitch Types Whole cross stitch, backstitch ShoppingList… Threads - Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle - Size 24 tapestry needle Fabric - Zweigart 14-count white…

True devotion For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a stitcher. My mother taught me – she’s into all forms of stitching. My first job was actually at the embroidery store where she taught! Recently, I had surgery to fix a lump in my hand that was pushing on the nerve that controls the thumb and first finger. The more I used my hand, the more it swelled! So, as it got more painful, I eventually had to adapt and stitch predominantly left-handed – I couldn’t go without my projects! It took about a month to adapt properly. It was a bit awkward and slow initially, but I’m improving! Since my surgery, I have finished the Carolling Mice from issue 249 and an anatomically correct heart, as I’m…

Relax, take a few deep breaths and start stitching – these colourful mandala-themed letters and numbers are just the thing to help you unwind after a long day! Created in a variety of brilliant shades, each character is like its own peaceful little universe of colourful swirls and shapes, just waiting for you to explore. You’ll discover a whole host of uses for this calming set. We opted to make ours into a strap for carrying a yoga mat – it’s a great gift for a zen friend! However, you could also use the alphabet and numbers to create an eye-catching notebook for jotting down positive thoughts or a fun plant pot cosy to liven up your windowsill. Try stitching an initial onto plastic canvas to create a quick-stitch keyring…

OVER £1,053 OF PRIZES TO BE WON! 10 PRIZES worth £240 Pilot Pen packs! Plot out your next project using this set of FriXion pens! The new FriXion Fineliners are a dream to work with, allowing for precision gridding of aida, evenweave or any fabric you’re planning to stitch on. They come in a set of 12 vibrant colours – you’ll be spoiled for choice when you start your next stitch! And, best of all, they easily wash out when your project is finished. We have 10 packs to give away, worth £24 each. For more, visit www.pilotpen.co.uk. To enter for your chance to win, visit www.cross-stitching.com to enter for free, or send a postcard labelled ‘Pilot Pen 252 giveaway’ to the address listed below. 15 PRIZES worth £300 Craft4Crafters…

When a child is born, you might find yourself imagining all the amazing experiences and fun times ahead of them. Encourage a little one to grasp every new opportunity with gusto when you stitch this modern birth sampler, filled with little woodland details that kids will love. Use the alphabet and numbers chart provided to personalise the sampler, adding a child’s name and date of birth for a treasure that will last a lifetime and beyond! Need to know Stitch Time 22 hours (approx) Stitch Types Whole cross stitch, fractionals, backstitch, French knots ShoppingList… Threads - Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle - Size 24 tapestry needle Fabric - Zweigart 14-count parchment aida (3706/3740) measuring 35x28cm (13¾x11in). To buy, visit www.lakesideneedlecraft.co.uk or call ☎ 0333 050 1184 Extras…

Becky Sowerby Hampshire Which cross stitch designer would be your dream dinner party guest? It would have to be Lucie Heaton, as I love her designs. They’re so sweet, and I would love to know where she gets her inspiration and ideas. Which project are you most proud of? The project I’m most proud of is the first project I ever did, which was a birth sampler for my daughter. It was a Humphrey’s Corner ballerina design and it’s gorgeous. Which occasion gets your needle twitching? Birthdays are my favourite events to stitch for. I make cards that I know are different and that my family and friends will love. Which celeb would you most like to stitch? He’s not a conventional celeb, I know, but I just love Dumbo.…

Flutter by, butterfly Take wing with this sweet Butterfly kit – it’s ideal for beginners or as a quick finish for more experienced stitchers! The kit costs £12 and comes with 14-count aida, DMC threads, a needle, a chart and more! Finished, the design measures 5.5x4cm (2¼x1½in). To buy, visit www.littlebeachhut.com Get jamming! Craft yourself some fun decorations with these cheery Jam Jar Ornaments from RIOLIS. Using 10-count plastic canvas, you’ll stitch one design for the front and one for the back – fruit on one side, flavours on the other – and make them up into unique baubles using the instructions provided. The kit costs £11.05 and makes for a creative gift! To buy, visit www.stitcher.co.uk or call ☎ 0161 464 7310 Positive thinking Give someone a confidence boost…

Do you cross stitch in public? What reactions have you had? “Oh yes! I get asked how to do it and I show people photos of some of the pieces I’ve made. They’re always in awe! I try to entice the people that I meet to take up our wonderful craft. I just got my hair stylist interested, so hopefully she’ll give it a try!” Cassie Ruth, Northampton “I never have, and I don’t think I could! I stitched a friendship bracelet while on holiday once, but I would never have taken it outside. I’d be afraid of getting sand on my stitching!” Claire Hudson, West Midlands “Anywhere and everywhere! And I always get positive comments. My favourite time was when I was sat by a pool in Turkey and…

Mike Reynolds calls himself an ‘everyday girl dad’, but as the creator of the groundbreaking website www.everydaygirldad.com, he’s anything but average! Based in Ottawa, Canada, Mike launched EverydayGirlDad in 2016 as a way to talk about gender roles, particularly in light of being the father of two young girls. Mike believes that re-examining those roles can make men better parents – and people. As part of the site, he’s created T-shirts, blog posts and podcasts – and, since becoming hooked on stitching at the start of 2018, Mike has used cross stitch design as another exciting way to start new conversations. Mike chatted to us about why he started the site, how Michelle Obama kickstarted his love for stitching and how cross stitch has helped him celebrate the strength of…

PROUD AS PUNCH This fine-feathered friend is ever-so cute! The Proud Little Peacock chart can be downloaded for £3.58 from Fuzzy Fox Designs at www.fuzzyfoxdesigns.etsy.com – start stitching him today! BLUE BEAUTY No ruffled feathers here. This eye-catching bird has a laid-back, folky vibe. Download the Pretty as a Peacock chart for £4.74 from Tiny Modernist at www.tinymodernist.com DAZZLING DISPLAY We can’t wait to stitch this stunner in azure, sapphire and ultramarine! Buy the Practically Perfect kit for £29.49 from Bothy Threads at www.bothythreads.com, or call ☎ 01900 828 844.…

Every hard-working mum deserves to put her feet up, pop on her favourite tv show and be well and truly spoiled on Mother’s Day. Kids will love stitching the bright colours of this fluttery collection, and mums will love receiving these pretty gifts! We’ve made ours into a poke, a napkin border and a card, but these designs will also work well as other gifts. Try turning yours into scented sachets or embellishments for a T-shirt. Mum’s sure to cherish them! Need to know Stitch Time 2-5 hours each (approx) Stitch Types Whole cross stitch, backstitch ShoppingList… Threads - Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle - Size 24 tapestry needle Fabric - Zweigart 14-count white aida measuring 15x15cm (6x6in) for the card, 10x10cm (4x4in) for the poke and…

Perfect for beginners Small, quick-to-stitch designs, such as the yarmulke opposite, are ideal to try if you’re new to stitching. For more simple designs, try these: ▶ PAGE 8 Floral bookmark kit ▶ PAGE 20 Egyptian gift ideas ▶ PAGE 34 Motor racing motifs ▶ PAGE 62 Pretty butterfly set ▶ PAGE 77 Celtic symbols Understanding charts and keys Follow the steps below for an introduction to getting started, then use the simple instructions opposite to learn each stitch! Reading the chart Our charts are printed with coloured squares containing symbols that represent squares to be stitched on the fabric. The key alongside the chart will tell you what colour thread each symbol corresponds to, so you know which one to thread your needle with (see right). Where to start…