Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2019 i Cross Stitch Crazy

Katie Kegie Art Editor This month… “I’ll stitch a festive tiger from page 34 for my niece – she loves animals!” Lou Smith Production Editor This month… “My dad would just love The SnowmanTM on page 10 as a cosy cushion” Emily Godwin Designer This month… “I’m going to use one of the 3D gnomes on page 72 as a tiny tree topper!” Fiona Baker Technical Editor This month… “The festive dinosaurs on page 28 are going on all my cards this year” Heather Nugent Charting Editor This month… “Mum’s getting a bottle of bubbly with one of the aprons from page 56 on!” Hannah Erskine Charting Assistant This month… “I’ll be sending the sweet appliqué-style cards on page 37 to all my friends”…

GIFT AVAILABLE with print edition of issue 262 only CALL 03330 162 133* TO BUY Santa’s little helpers love nothing more than wrapping presents, decorating trees and baking festive goodies in the run-up to Christmas. So, lend them a hand getting ready for the 25th as you stitch their bright outfits in cheery reds and greens using your kit, which comes with everything you need to make all eight tags. Add them to your gifts, turn them into cards or back them with felt and make them into mini decorations to hang up in your home. There’s no end to the festive fun with this team of cheery elves Inside your kit: Use this list to help you sort your threads white x3 brown x2 red x5 green x4 yellow…

He won legions of fans as heart-throb Keith Partridge in popular 70s TV series The Partridge Family, but it was when he released hits like Daydreamer, How Can I be Sure and Could It Be Forever that he reached the heady heights of his teen idol fame. If you had posters of David Cassidy on your wall as a teenager, then you’ll enjoy a trip down memory lane when you stitch this portrait of the superstar at his finest. There’s no better way to honour his talent David Cassidy Reader’s pick! Requested by SHARRON GAIL D 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 them to:…

Quick and easy to stitch one a night! Need to know Stitch Time 5-6 hours each (approx) Stitch Types Whole cross stitch, backstitch Shopping List… 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.lakesideneedlecraft.co.uk or call ☎ 0161 505 1910 Extras - Colorset 270gsm 100% Recycled Single Creased Square Cards measuring 100x100mm (cut 200x100mm), in (246) Aquamarine, (258) Lime, and (266) Solar. To buy, visit www.pdacardandcraft.co.uk or call ☎ 01773 712 266 Merry Christmas Happy Holidays Happy Hanukkah Noel Season’s Greetings Happy Christmas Festival of Lights…

The term ‘wabi-sabi’ is popping up everywhere. Hobby craft reports that searches for the term are up 100% since last year, and even celebrities like Jessica Alba are talking about the benefits of this traditional Japanese worldview. Though it’s long been a well-known term in Japan, wabi-sabi has recently been eagerly adopted by a growing number of Westerners. It’s mentioned in discussions about everything from interiors and clothing to cooking and wellbeing. But what’s wabi-sabi all about? WHAT IS WABI-SABI? “Wabi-sabi is a captivating concept from Japanese aesthetics, which helps us to see beauty in imperfection,” explains Beth Kempton, author of Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life. Originating in the 15th century, the notion is rooted in Zen Buddhism – the first proponents of wabi-sabi were tea…

Perfect for little ones and the young at heart, these sweet teddies are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face! Lend them a hand with delivering presents, take a twirl on the ice and pick up that all-essential Christmas pudding as you stitch your way through this charming set. They’re mostly worked in whole stitches but do include some fractionals and backstitch to give them their fuzzy fur. And with four different designs to choose from, whether you’re looking to stitch a gift for someone special or want to add to your own decorations, you’ll feel spoiled for choice! Need to know Stitch Time 10-12 hours each (approx) Stitch Types Whole cross stitch, fractionals, backstitch ShoppingList… Threads - Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle - Size 24…

Welcome these cheery Scandi gnomes, known as tomtar, into your playroom! Place them on shelves so they can watch over your homestead, or use them as novel gift wrappings – pop them over a special treat and wait for the recipient to find their surprise! Once stitched, simply trim a one-square border around the edge of your design. Then, sew a small pom-pom onto a 7mm bead. Roll your tomte into a cone, trapping the bead inside at the top. Sew the back seam closed to finish! Need to know Stitch Time 12-14 hours each (approx) Stitch Types Whole cross stitch, backstitch ShoppingList… Threads - Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle - Size 24 tapestry needle Fabric - 14-count white perforated paper measuring 18x18cm (7x7in) for each design.…

… to the December issue of Crazy! We know this is one of the busiest, most exciting times of the year for you all – there are so many festive cards and gifts to create! So, we’ve made sure to pack this issue with fab Christmas projects so you’ll easily find just the right thing to stitch for everyone you know. Lucie Heaton’s cute festive teddies on page 64 will make fantastic gifts for your loved ones, while our winter folk animals alphabet on page 49 is ideal for personalising cards and gifts. For those last-minute makes, check out our American sampler-style motifs on page 20, or make a bottle extra special with our fun retro aprons on page 56! And when you’ve finished stitching for everyone else, turn to…

Pour yourself a glass of eggnog and stitch these sweet sampler charts to fill your holidays with the whimsical charm of traditional American stitching. Spend your run-up to the 25th combining motifs from the set to create your own heirloom sampler or turn individual designs into fun baubles, cards and more. Stitch them on rustic aida for a truly vintage look and fray the edges for the finishing touch. Happy holidays Need to know Stitch Time 1-6 hours each (approx) Stitch Types Whole cross stitch, backstitch, French knots Shopping List… Threads - Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle - Size 24 tapestry needle Fabric - Zweigart 14-count rustico (54) aida measuring a maximum of 15x15cm (6x6in) for most designs. To buy, visit www.lakesideneedlecraft.co.uk or call ☎ 0161 505…

Watch out – there are dinosaurs about! These dapper dinos are here to wish you a merry Christmas filled with laughter, fun and lots of puns. Bring them to life when you work your way through easy whole stitches in bright and cheerful colours, then finish off Emma Congdon’s signature typography with a few elegant swishes of backstitch. Send these smile-raising cards and tags to all your fun-loving friends and family to give everyone a real dino-mite surprise this Christmas! Need to know Stitch Time 2-5 hours each (approx) Stitch Types Whole cross stitch, backstitch Shopping List… Threads - Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle - Size 24 tapestry needle Fabric - Zweigart 14-count white aida measuring 15x15cm (6x6in) for each card design and 10x10cm (4x4in) for each…

Star stitcher! Crazy, I just submitted my astronomy PhD and wanted to share a gift I made for my adviser. It’s a stitch of Figure 1 from our first paper together! Supernova 1987A was a star that exploded in 1987, and is the closest supernova to Earth since the invention of the telescope. This image shows how the radio emission has changed since the early 1990s, and has grown brighter as the shockwave interacts with surrounding material. I realised the radio image pixels translate perfectly to cross stitch! All the details are scientifically accurate in the final work – see the close-up image. My adviser loved it, by the way, as he made the first few radio images in this series in the 1990s as part of his own PhD!…

£1,130 IN PRIZES TO BE WON! Kreinik thread packs! Embellish your seasonal projects with glittery braids, beaded floss, fuzzy metallics and more with Kreinik’s exciting range of sparkly and textured threads. We have 12 Christmas collections of Kreinik threads to give away, each including a spool of Wired Braid, Facets, Micro Ice Chenille, Ribbon, Fine Braid and two spools of Very Fine Braid in the fabulously festive colours shown here. For even more dazzling thread choices for your stash, visit www.kreinik.com to explore the ranges. For your chance to win, visit www.cross-stitching.com to enter for free, or send a postcard labelled ‘Kreinik threads 262 giveaway’ to the address listed below. Creative Craft Show tickets! Discover the latest stitchy trends at The Creative Craft Show Manchester, at Event City from 30th…

These fun bottle aprons combine everything we love about Christmas here at Crazy – festive get-togethers, gift giving and, of course, stitching! Next time you’re invited to a seasonal soirée, get stitching so you can dress your bottle of bubbly up in one of these retro beauties! Worked in mostly whole stitches, they’re easy to stitch, and we’ll show you how to finish yours off the same way we did with the step-by-step guide on page 61. So, raise your needle and let’s have a toast to a season of merry stitching! Need to know Stitch Time 15-18 hours (approx) Stitch Types Whole cross stitch, backstitch Shopping List… Threads - Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle - Size 24 tapestry needle Fabric - Zweigart 14-count white aida measuring…

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 The centres of our cross stitch charts are marked out using small arrows on the edge of each side of a chart. This is the best place to start stitching, so you end up with the design in the middle of the fabric. To find the centre of your fabric, fold it in half horizontally,…

Caitlin Hutchinson Batley Which cross stitch designer would be your dream dinner party guest? It would definitely be Margaret Sherry. I absolutely adore her designs and I would love to have met her. Which project are you most proud of? It’s my big biscuits-themed piece I completed last year. I absolutely love biscuits and it’s the biggest piece that I’ve done to date! How long ago did you start stitching? I taught myself to stitch and have been stitching for just over two years now. Which celeb would you most like to stitch? I would like to stitch Elvis for my father-in-law because he absolutely loves him. Who is your favourite character to stitch? I love to stitch Tatty Teddy designs for my son. Sarah Sendall Garforth How would you…

In a field of flowers I’ve finally finished and framed this lovely rabbit. My husband bought the kit for me for Christmas. I just need to hang it up on the wall now! Marilyn Walker, Hayling Island Lou says: I love Hannah Dale’s kits, Marilyn – if you fancy adding to your colleciton, visitwww.bothythreads.com A special gift I’ve just finished Durene Jones’ Green Man for my friend Mary’s 50th birthday. I really enjoyed doing this, so much so that I may well do another for myself! Thank you for the lovely projects – keep up the good work! Mandie Soper, Devon Emily says: What a special birthday gift – Mary must have been delighted! The circular green mount and wooden frame suit the design perfectly. I can see why you…

Fleece Navidad We’re crazy for llamas, so you can imagine how thrilled we were to spot Satsuma Street’s new stocking featuring one of our woolly friends! This jolly chap is decked out in fab festive attire as he lends Santa a hand by carrying a stack of colourful gifts on his back. Hang him on the mantelpiece on Christmas Eve and see what joys the morning brings! Fa-la-la-llama is available as a chart to download for £12.16. Each PDF has detailed instructions for making up the stocking and comes with alphabet charts, too, so you can personalise it with a name. To buy, visit www.satsumastreet.etsy.com No more lost needles! This super-cute Seams Legit sheep needle minder is going straight on our wish list this Christmas! New to the House of…

High up in the snowcapped mountains of a faraway land, this beautiful figure spends her days watching over rolling hills of snow and rivers of ice. Dressed in her warmest wear, she’s here to celebrate the wonders of winter with you. Enjoy stitching the swirling lines of her braids and the intricate details of the embroidery on her cloak. Then, when you’ve finished this fun-packed piece Need to know Stitch Time 55 hours (approx) Stitch Types Whole cross stitch, fractionals, backstitch full of icy blue tones, display it in a metallic frame, as we did, or turn it into a stunning seasonal cushion for your home. Shopping List… Threads - Stranded cotton and metallic thread as listed in the key Needle - Size 24 tapestry needle Fabric - Zweigart 14-count…

Bring all your favourite outdoor critters indoors when you stitch this fun folk art-style alphabet and numbers set. These cute designs are stitched in a delicate boho palette, with reds and oranges complemented by soft blues and greys. And, each little woodland character is adorned with its own unique folksy pattern! Worked mostly in whole stitches, with only a little backstitch in each design, these charts are super fun and quick to stitch. Each one will take you just a few hours to complete, so they’re ideal for last-minute cards and gifts. Try stitching a friend’s initials for a card or coaster – you could even switch up the colours and swap in their favourites. Or, as a gift for a little one, make a nameplate like ours! Remember to…

Metallic thread 1 Metallic thread can be braided, twisted or flat – each type has different properties. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions to get the most out of the metallic thread that you’re using. 2 When you thread your needle, fold your metallic strand in two and feed the folded part through the eye. It’ll pass through easily without stressing the thread. 3 These threads are coarser than cotton floss, so cut into shorter lengths to stitch and this will help stop splits, tangles and knots. 4 Another way to prevent metallics from fraying is to use a thread conditioner – either a beeswax product or Thread Magic from www.cottonpatch.co.uk for £9.20. 5 Try using a needle one size larger than you usually do to open up the…

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…