Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2020 i Cross Stitch Crazy

Emma Jones Art Editor This month… “I’ll be stitching one of the anniversary cards on page 37 for my parents!” Lou Smith Production Editor This month… “My friend would love the wine glass charms on page 56 for her birthday” Emily Godwin Designer This month… “I’m going to make my friend the flower photo frame on page 72!” Fiona Baker Technical Editor This month… “I’m planning on creating a sampler using the Asian animals on page 20” Heather Nugent Charting Editor This month… “I’ll be using one of the tags on page 28 to finish wrapping my mum’s gift!” Hannah Erskine Charting Assistant This month… “My friend’s son will feel extra special wearing one of the masks on page 42”…

GIFT AVAILABLE with print edition of issue 265 only CALL 03330 162 133* TO BUY Best friends Monty and Lizzie are throwing a big birthday bash, and you’re invited to join them! Dress them up in their best party clothes by stitching them using the materials in your kit. Inside, you’ll find all the threads and aida you need, plus a needle, two printed aperture cards and envelopes. Whomever you give your cards to, they’re sure to enjoy every detail of these characters, from the dainty dots on Lizzie’s dress to the neatly-wrapped present that Monty’s brought along. You’ll use whole stitches and backstitch only to stitch these two cuties, so they’ll be fun and quick to make, too! There’s even room in both designs to add the recipient’s initials or…

She moved viewers with her gripping performance in Broadchurch, and now she’s captivating them with her delightful incarnation of the 13th Doctor in BBC’s Doctor Who! The talented actress has wowed audiences on both stage and screen, starting her career at Shakespeare’s Globe theatre before moving on to films like Venus and Attack the Block. Now, she’s best known for her beloved TV roles – so stitch the first female Doctor for a Doctor Who fan today! Jodie Whittaker Stitch count 89 (h) x 68 (w) Design area on 14-count fabric 16x12.5cm (6¼x4¾in) Reader’s pick! Requested by ADAM THEAKER 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…

Previously, you’ve been Crazy for… Maps and globes Issue 264 Highland cows Issue 263 Christmas tigers Issue 262 Dachshunds Issue 261 What are you crazy for? Tell us what you’re mad about stitching! We’ll gather together the most popular requests and ask one of our top designers to create a whole spread of designs – just for you! Name ……………………………………………………………………………………………. I’m crazy for …………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Because ……………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Fill in and cut out this coupon (or photocopy it) and send it to: Crazy for… Cross Stitch Crazy, Immediate Media Company Bristol Ltd, Eagle House, Colston Avenue, Bristol BS1 4ST or email your requests to: crazyfor@cross-stitching.com Back issues! Crazy hotline 03330 162 133†…

Whether you’re celebrating Purim, Mardi Gras or just fancy a spot of dressing up, make sure you have these stunning masks in your wardrobe. To make them up, first attach iron-on interfacing to the back of your stitching and trim around the edge, leaving a two-square border. Then, pin your stitching to a piece of felt and trim the felt, following the shape of your stitching. Sew your mask onto the felt, catching a long length of ribbon between the aida and felt on either side. Then, put on your new mask and have fun! Shopping List… Threads - Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle - Size 24 tapestry needle Fabric - Zweigart 14-count white aida measuring 17x28cm (6½x11in) for each design. To buy, visit www.lakesideneedlecraft.co.uk or call…

Fill your home with the vibrant blooms of this beautiful project and wake up with a big smile on your face every day this spring! Stitched using whole stitches, fractionals and backstitch, this little cutie is pretty straightforward to stitch! Just keep an eye on how many strands you’re using for your backstitch, as you’ll swap between one and two to provide the flower stems with more definition. And when you’ve finished stitching, turn your spring scene into a hanging like ours or display it in a bold frame for a statement piece. Then, keep this bright bouquet or give it as a showstopping Mother’s Day or birthday gift! Shopping List… Threads - Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle - Size 24 tapestry needle Fabric - Zweigart 14-count…

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…

… to the March issue of Crazy! For me, the best way to get through the last of winter is to cosy up and stitch delightful projects that remind me of the spring to come. Then, by the time the flowers start to bloom, I have a beautiful season-appropriate design to put on display! Julia Rigby’s colourful allotment scene on page 10 will be just perfect for this – it’s so bright and full of life. This is also a great time to stitch gifts or try something new, like the cheery plastic canvas frames from page 72. I’m thinking of making one for my mom for Mother’s Day, along with a card featuring a sweet tapir and its baby from the Asian animal gift ideas on page 20. Then,…

Exclusive to Crazy! Step into a gardener’s paradise as you bring this striking spring scene to life. From the trailing runner beans to the chirping birds perched above, this scene is bursting with activity. Capture it all in whole stitches, fractionals, backstitch and French knots on a background of Sew It All’s Garden View aida, which features a lush green ground and blue sky. Then, let the scene remind you of the wonders of spring all year round when you frame your finish, or turn it into a cosy cushion for your favourite deck chair. Shopping List… Threads - Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle - Size 24 tapestry needle Fabric - Fabric Flair 14-count Garden View aida measuring 38x33cm (15x13in). To buy, visit www.sewitall.com or call 01280…

Travel to every corner of the world’s largest continent and meet the animals and plants that live there! From the fuzzy camels of the steppes to the playful pandas of China, there’s a cuddly creature for everyone in this set. Turn each motif into an exciting card or gift, then surprise a globe-trotting or nature-loving friend in your life. Or, treat yourself and your home to a set of adventurous new decorations. Go on, get wild! Shopping List… 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. To buy, visit www.lakesideneedlecraft.co.uk or call 0161 505 1910 Extras - All items of your choice from local stores or handmade 4…

Show your mother how much you appreciate all she does with one of these floral fancies, stitched just for her. For each chart, you’ll work your way through whole stitches, backstitch and French knots, all in a vibrant palette of floral shades. Once you’ve stitched your chosen card and tag, keep these charts on hand for weddings, birthdays and more – it’s so easy to switch up the messages in these designs! Simply flick back through Crazy issues to find an alphabet you like and get stitching. 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 tag design. To buy, visit www.lakesideneedlecraft.co.uk or call…

Need to know Stitch Time 4-6 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. To buy, visit www.lakesideneedlecraft.co.uk or 0161 505 1910 Extras - Single-fold cards and patterned papers of your choice from local stores; 6mm Double Sided Super Sticky Tape from Lakeside Needlecraft 10th anniversary Stitch count 35 (h) x 35 (w) Design area 14-count fabric 6.5x6.5cm (2½x2½in) 1st anniversary Stitch count 35 (h) x 35 (w) Design area 14-count fabric 6.5x6.5cm (2½x2½in) 5th anniversary Stitch count 35 (h) x 35 (w) Design area 14-count fabric 6.5x6.5cm (2½x2½in) 30th anniversary Stitch count 35 (h) x 35 (w) Design area 14-count…

Stitch by stitch My daughter, Monique, suggested that you might be interested in the way I cross stitch. I don’t follow a chart and I only use one colour per piece. I find a picture I like and print out a large copy. Then I cut it into squares and put one of the squares under a thick plastic slab that has a grid on it. For each four stitches in a square of the grid I decide whether to work a whole stitch, a half stitch or no stitch at all. I usually work on my projects for two hours each evening and each one can take me up to four years to finish. I’ve been stitching for around 20 years and I’m about halfway through my current project.…

Say goodbye to mixed-up martinis and confused cocktails! Now you can put your mark on your tipple using these vintage tattoo-style wine glass charms. They’re made using whole stitches only, giving them the bold black lines of classic sailor tattoos. Pick one to make for yourself or stitch the whole set on plastic canvas for a tatted-up friend. They also make for fab token gifts to take away at parties! Just be sure not to snip through any of the holes that contain your stitching when you trim the plastic canvas around the designs’ edges. Shopping List… Threads - Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle - Size 24 tapestry needle Fabric - 14-count clear plastic canvas measuring 10x10cm (4x4in) for each design. To buy, visit www.lakesideneedlecraft.co.uk or call…

Meet Kay Widdowson – we at Crazy have been lucky enough to translate some of her illustrations into cross stitch charts, including the bird with a bouquet on page 62. Read on to learn more about Kay, her career and how she got into designing for cross stitch! When were your designs first converted into cross stitch? About two years ago! I’d been making decorative prints to sell on my market stall and a customer asked if I made cross stitch kits as she’d love to stitch my designs. It was a light bulb moment! I sent images off to Crazy and The World of Cross Stitching and was lucky enough to get some accepted. How have you found illustrating for cross stitch so far? I love it! I can…

Whether you’re stitching for Mother’s Day or for another special occasion, make the most of your happy memories when you gift someone these decorative photo frames. Stitched on plastic canvas, each one uses whole stitches only, making them relaxing projects to stitch in front of the telly. Make the whole set as a gift for mum, or add loops of ribbon and use them as a unique way to display your own photos at home. To make your frames up as we did, turn to page 76 and follow our step-by-step guide. You’ll want to make them for everyone you know! Shopping List… Threads - Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle - Size 24 tapestry needle Fabric - 14-count clear plastic canvas measuring 28x33cm (11x13in) for the large…

Angela Page Warners End Which project are you most proud of? I found a project in my late parents’ house – my mum had worked the first 100 stitches of it. It was my first-ever project and I’m so pleased with it. Which occasion gets your needle twitching? Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries and weddings. Basically, I’ll stitch for any event. Who do you most like to stitch for? Family and friends. My grandson loved the dinosaurs I stitched for his new bedroom. How cross stitch crazy are you? Very! I have so many kits and a full set or two of my favourite threads. I will not stop! When I’m not stitching, you’ll find me… Enjoying my grandson’s company. I also love floristry and create floral arrangements! Megan Bangerter USA Which…

Star letter You’re a winner! Laura Fielding Stitch gallery I thought I’d share my project wall in my craft room with you. As a teacher, my time can often be consumed by marking and planning. Stitching provides me with some downtime and helps me keep my sanity! Lots of my projects are gifts for friends and family, but those that I make for me are often left in a bag or a drawer. My very handy fiancé had the idea to frame them and create a cross stitch wall in my craft room. It’s like an art gallery of all of my projects and is something I can keep adding to! Laura Fielding, Liverpool Alison says: What a lovely space to have, Laura. Your projects look wonderful up on the…

Wildly wonderful New to Bothy Threads’ popular Wrendale Collection, Hannah Dale’s watercolour-style designs are just the right size to turn into stylish wall pieces – the designs measure 26x26cm (10¼x10¼in) when finished. Stitch your favourite or the whole set for a fab focal point in your home. Each one comes as a full kit including 14-count speckled aida, pre-sorted threads, a needle and a chart. Clockwise from the top-left image on the left, Hanging Around, In My Footsteps, Moongazer and Rainbow cost £29.49 each. To buy, visit www.bothythreads.com or call 01900 828 844 WIP wonder Let everyone know you’re a productive procrastinator when you stitch this humorous design from Bobo Stitch. It comes as a kit which includes a full-colour chart, 14-count linen-look aida, DMC threads, a needle and a…

Many kids – and adults – enjoy spending time outdoors, discovering all the amazing creatures that live in their own back gardens. Encourage the curious explorers in your life when you stitch them something special using this adorable set of letters and numbers inspired by a well-known and beloved beetle – the ladybird. Each cute design uses whole stitches and backstitch only. Their easy stitches and small sizes make them quick to stitch – almost as fast as the bugs themselves! Turn them into fun signs and nameplates to decorate kids’ bedrooms or even a gardener’s workspace. Or, you can use them to make labels for school bags and notebooks, or plant pots and shed drawers. As you stitch each ladybird, watching them scamper to life across your aida, you’ll…

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,…