Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2020 i Cross Stitch Crazy

Emma Jones Art Editor This month… “I’m stitching a bib for my friend’s baby with the crab from page 20 on it!” Lou Smith Production Editor This month… “The adorable reptiles on page 77 will make great gift tags for birthdays” Emily Godwin Designer This month… “I’ll be stitching my mum’s name using the patchwork alphabet on page 43” Fiona Baker Technical Editor This month… “I’m thinking of turning the car word cloud on page 28 into a cushion for my dad” Heather Nugent Charting Editor This month… “I’m planning to make a few cards using the fun berry charts on page 34” Hannah Erskine Charting Assistant This month… “The Father’s Day cards on page 72 are the cutest – my dad will love them!” Contact and follow crazy www.instagram.com/crossstitchcrazymag…

Travel through the provinces of China with this adventurous young lady – she’s on a journey to discover and celebrate her family’s heritage! Dressed in her favourite Hanfu outfit – inspired by the clothing of the Han Dynasty – she looks like she’s ready to attend a summer festival or enjoy an evening of traditional food and entertainment. Bring her to life with the whole stitches and backstitch that make up her portrait. You’ll work through a beautiful palette of pastel pinks, soft blues and delicate greens, plus shades of black for her hair and outlines. Girl in Hanfu Stitch count 87 (h) x 28 (w) Design area on 14-count fabric 16x5cm (61/4x2in) Stitched by Laura Boyter Illustrations © Durene Jones 2020 Once you’ve finished, use double-sided tape to secure…

Think ‘action film’ and actor Jason Statham probably jumps to mind – performing his own stunts as usual, no doubt! Known for playing rough-and-ready characters, he brings a healthy dose of British sarcasm to his thuggish roles. His on-screen fights, car chases and death-defying feats have earned him a reputation as Hollywood’s hardman. So, stitch his portrait to get in on the action! Jason Statham Stitch count 106 (h) x 68 (w) Design area on 14-count fabric 19x12.5cm (7½x4¾in) Reader’s pick! Requested by LORR AINE CLARKE Who would you like to see as a Crazy Celeb stitch? It might be your favourite singer, a Hollywood icon or even a sporting great! Email your requests to crossstitchcrazy@immediate.co.uk or post them to: Celeb Stitch, Cross Stitch Crazy, Eagle House, Colston Avenue, Bristol BS1…

Custom-built bike Here’s a Christmas present that I made for my dad last year. It’s my most special stitch to date because I designed, charted and stitched it myself. My dad’s a keen cyclist, having climbed some of the toughest and most notorious mountains in Europe. I was inspired by Durene Jones’ cyclist in an issue of Crazy from a few years ago, but I wanted to make my stitch look just like my dad. I used a photo for reference and charted the design on MacStitch. It was really challenging, as I’ve never charted anything before, and I used a lot of petit point on the face to get as much detail as possible. But I’m so pleased with the result! I added the dates of my dad’s achievements…

SHINE A LIGHT Delight a friend who loves the sea with this pop-up card stitched on perforated paper. You can buy the Lighthouse Bay 3D kit by The Nutmeg Company for £9.95 from www.past-impressions.co.uk or by calling ☎ 020 8335 3930. SITTING PRETTY You’ll almost feel the sand between your toes as you stitch this sunny scene! The Deckchair Fun kit has all you need to get started and you can buy it for £26.49 from www.bothythreads.com or ☎ 01900 828 844. WRITE ON! If your heart’s by the sea, this design will bring a smile with every stitch! This Dimensions Fun in the Sun kit costs £29.09 from www.thehappycross-stitcher.com or ☎ 01325 240 192, with free delivery in the UK!…

These beautiful birds have strutted their way into our hearts and homes this month! Their warm and earthy tones, mixed with bold blue tail feathers, would make them striking additions to your kitchen or living room wall. We framed ours in rustic wooden hoops, but they’d also make a gorgeous set of cushions or even a fab collection of shopping totes for your next trip to the farmer’s market. ShoppingList… Threads - Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle - Size 24 tapestry needle Fabric - Zweigart 14-count white aida measuring 50x50cm (20x20in), 35.5x35.5cm (14x14in) and 25.5x25.5cm (10x10in). To buy, visit www.lakesideneedlecraft.co.uk or call ☎ 0161 505 1910 Extras - 14in wooden quilting hoop (QH14), 10in (EH10) and 6in (EH6) wooden embroidery hoops. To buy, visit www.siestaframes.com or call…

Don’t just gaze off into space – stitch it! These fun rockets will take you to destinations you never thought possible – Mars, the Moon and beyond Space mission £5.18, Spaceport by Snow Goose Home www.snowgoosehome.etsy.com This impressive scene of a spaceport is a must-stitch for fans of sci-fi. It measures 23x26cm (9x10¼in) on 14-count aida and is worked in whole stitches only. Lift off! £3.11, Space Rocket by Ringcat www.ringcat.etsy.com This simple project, worked in whole stitches and backstitch, is ideal for beginners. It uses seven colours on 14-count aida and is 4x5.5cm (1½x2¼in). Solar system £4.36, Space Modern by Xrestyk www.xrestyk.etsy.com Stitched in 45 bright shades, this design is ideal for a child’s bedroom. Stitch it on 14-count navy aida in three strands, for better coverage, or on…

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 June issue of Crazy! As we look forward to summer, we start to look for projects to suit the season, whether they’re for our own homes or for gifts. For instance, my sister-in-law grew up on a farm, so I’ve decided to stitch her the hen sitting on a nest from page 62. Hopefully the warm colours will remind her of sunny days back home! However, if you’re searching for a more modern stitch for the summer, I recommend the chic stencil-style lighthouses on page 56. Or, if you’re stitching for children, try the pastel-coloured nautical gift ideas on page 20. And of course, if you or a friend are planning to spend the hot months stitching indoors with fans on full blast, decorate a beloved crafting…

Set sail for new horizons with these adorable pastel motifs at your side! Stitched in a soothing, gender-neutral palette, they’re perfect for welcoming a new bundle of joy into the world, decorating a child’s nursery, creating invitations for birthday parties or even adding to T-shirts with soluble canvas. Whatever the occasion, you’re sure to find something you’ll love in this ship-shape set! ShoppingList Threads - Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle - Size 24 tapestry needle Fabric - Zweigart 14-count white aida and 14-count soluble canvas 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 If you’re thinking of stitching for charity, for children or to…

Take your needle for an exciting spin through the terms and phrases that make up this classic car word cloud! Designed in Ursula Michael’s signature style, this project is mostly made up of fun and evocative backstitch words that are sure to set car enthusiasts’ hearts aflutter. Plus, you’ll stitch the phrase ‘Let’s go for a drive’ and a bold border using whole stitches only in cool blue shades. To make your finish extra special, use the alphabet chart on page 31 to personalise your cloud as well. We stitched ours to celebrate Father’s Day, but birthdays and anniversaries are great excuses to stitch this for a gearhead you know, too! ShoppingList… Threads - Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle - Size 24 tapestry needle Fabric - Zweigart…

Fire up your sewing machine – or, thread your needle – and get your multi-craft on with these pretty patchwork letters and numbers. They’re perfect for combining with other crafts! Each chart features a pleasing mix of patterns in the style of a patchwork quilt and is worked in whole stitches, fractionals and backstitch. We turned our stitching into a cute hanging for the office, but there are plenty of ways to turn these colourful charts into something amazing. Try making fun cards to give to all your friends, or back your stitching with colourful felt and use a loop of ribbon to make instant hanging decorations that are great for quick gifts or displaying in your craft corner. And, since these charts are so full of colour, they make…

Keeping your work clean 1 Light fabrics can easily pick up and show everyday dirt from your hands. Washing your hands before you start to stitch will keep the fabric and threads pristine. 2 Needles can rust over time and leave permanent marks on your fabric. Pop them in a needle case in between stitching sessions to make sure your fabric remains unmarked. 3 Avoid those tricky-to-remove creases left in the fabric from an embroidery hoop by taking your stitching out of the hoop at the end of each stitching session. 4 Gently fold or roll up your work and store it in a folder, basket or box to keep your project clean and out of direct sunlight when you’re not working on it for a while. 5 As adorable…

Dive into stitching these beautiful lighthouse scenes and you’ll find yourself sailing through their easy whole stitches, with a very brief detour through some simple backstitch. It’s a relaxing journey that promises to bring back happy memories of days in the sun! The stencil style is achieved by working blocks of whole stitches separated by single unstitched strips of aida. Mix and match the scenes or stitch the whole set to display in your cabin, hull or – if you’re not the captain of a ship – home. ShoppingList… Threads - Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle - Size 24 tapestry needle Fabric - Zweigart 14-count white and black (720) aida measuring 25x20cm (93/4x73/4in) each. To buy, visit www.lakesideneedlecraft.co.uk or call ☎ 0161 505 1910 Extras - Stretched…

Say Happy Father’s Day the Crazy way – with adorable characters and colourful cards! Take your pick from four sweet scenes of fathers and their little ones enjoying a favourite activity together. Each design uses a range of stitches, so you’ll be able to enjoy a stitchy challenge as you go, too! And when you’ve finished, fray around the edge of the aida and patch it onto a bright card, like we did with ours, for a fun and impressive-looking finish! ShoppingList… 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 and 10x10cm (4x4in) for each tag. To buy, visit www.lakesideneedlecraft.co.uk or call ☎ 0161 505 1910 Extras - Single-fold cards, handmade…

Jannie Hurst South Africa Which project are you most proud of? The sampler of the province I grew up in, KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. It shows the mountains, buildings and landscapes of KwaZulu-Natal – it’s a journey across the province! How would you describe your stitching style? I like to use the loop method as it gives my work a better look with neater stitches. How cross stitch crazy are you? Totally crackers! Which occasion gets your needle twitching? I love any special event that allows me to make cards to give to my family and friends. How long ago did you start stitching? My mom taught me when I was a teenager. I’m 72 years old now and still at it! Lane Line Basildon Which project are you most…

You’re a winner! Linda West Star letter Childhood dream I didn’t have a doll’s house when I was a child, even though it was something I always wanted. I had lots of dolls’ furniture that I would put on the floor and play pretend with, which is easy to do as a child. So, when I came across this doll’s house design by Maria Diaz, I had to stitch it! It took me a long time, as it’s got a lot of detail, but I’m so happy with the result. Linda West, Isle of Man Alison says: It sounds like you had a wonderful imagination as a child, Linda! I’m pleased you now have the doll’s house you dreamed of. All those intricate stitches have paid off – it looks…

Hobby homage Let visitors know what you’re all about with this beautiful mini cushion! Featuring all the things we love about our favourite craft, including skeins of thread, stork embroidery scissors and lots of colour, this little masterpiece is sure to get your needle twitching. The I Love Cross Stitch Mini Cushion comes as a kit that includes 14-count aida, pre-sorted threads, a needle, backing fabric and a chart for £14.99. The finished cushion measures 14.5x14.5cm (53/4x53/4in). To buy, visit www.sheenarogersdesigns.co.uk Neat and tidy If your stash is in need of a little TLC or you like to have your project with you at all times, then you need this super-handy organiser in your life! Full of nifty pockets and holders, this Organiser Case has a place for everything. There…

Need to know Stitch Time 4-5 hours each (approx Stitch Types Whole cross stitch, backstitch, French knots ShoppingList… Threads - Stranded cotton and metallic thread 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 - Triple-fold aperture cards and glitter paper embellishments of your choice from local stores or handmade; 6mm Double Sided Super Sticky Tape from Lakeside Needlecraft Rock your crown Stitch count 34 (h) x 35 (w) Design area 14-count fabric 6x6.5cm (2½x2½in) Birthday queen Stitch count 34 (h) x 35 (w) Design area 14-count fabric 6x6.5cm (2½x2½in) Royally fabulous Stitch count 34 (h) x 35 (w) Design area 14-count fabric 6x6.5cm (2½x2½in)…

Put on your own wild show with these adorable animals – including Peggy the parrot, Elsie the elephant and Zack the zebra. Bring them to life with whole stitches and just a spot of backstitch for outlines and details. Each character is a great project for novice stitchers – they could pick their favourite cast member and turn them into a puppet using plastic canvas. Flip to page 54 to follow our guide for making up your stitching as a fun finger puppet. Then, let the show begin! ShoppingList… Threads - Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle - Size 24 tapestry needle Fabric - 14-count clear plastic canvas measuring maximum of 19x21cm (7½x8¼in). To buy, visit www.lakesideneedlecraft.co.uk or call ☎ 0161 505 1910 Extras - Coloured felt and…

JOIN A STITCHALONG! Taking part in a stitchalong is a great way to meet other stitchers and to keep yourself motivated. Stitchalongs are events in which parts of a chart – or, a series of charts – are released over a few weeks, several months or a year. Here’s our round up of some of the top stitchalongs you can join in 2020: A Year of Blackwork, free www.peppermintpurple.co.uk Bloom and Grow, £15.50 www.caterpillarcrossstitch.com Biscornu of the Month Club, £35.48 www.tinymodernist.com SAL 2020, £18 www.modernfolkembroidery.com Stitchalong with Emma Congdon Keep an eye out in Crazy for an out-of-this-world stitchalong this year… The Twittersphere What you’ve been tweeting about! I stitched issue 267’s kit yesterday, as soon as my subs copy arrived! @CUFCalways I’ve started stitching the bluenosed bear from issue…

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,…