Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2025 i CrossStitcher

Designed by: Susan Penny Stitch count: 20 high x 20 wide Design size: 3.5x3.5cm (1⅜x1⅜in) Stitch time: 4 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Leave out adding the hairband if you want to make a pincushion, without wearing it on your finger Make a… ring pincushion Step 1 WORK using two strands of stranded cotton for the cross stitch, and one strand for the backstitch and French knots. Step 2 TAKE a plastic milk bottle lid that’s 4cm (1½in) across, plus stuffing or cut up tights to fill the pincushion. Fold the felt in half, and cut a 7cm (2¾in) circle from each piece. Step 3 PLACE one felt circle over the closed end of the lid and up the sides, and glue it in place…

MAY If you’d like a pack containing the Pewter Grey 14 count aida and the skeins to complete the sampler, turn to page 10, and order for £41, plus P&P Designed by: Amanda Butler Stitch count: 46 high x 46 wide Design size: 8.5x8.5cm (3¼x 3¼in) Stitch time: 5 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. How to… join our Stitch-A-Long In issue 417 we began our Mouse year monthly calender which runs from January 25 to December 25. Over the year we will be bringing you twelve seasonal designs that can be used for cards and keepsakes for birthdays or anniversary, one for each month of the year. They can be stitched as individual designs as we have done, or if you prefer stitch them all…

Designed by: Amanda Butler Stitch count: 36 high x 70 wide Design size: 6x12.5cm (2⅜x4⅞in) Stitch time: 12 hours This design was stitched on 28 count linen over two threads of fabric. You can use Velcro dots instead of a button, if you want a simpler method of closing your purse Make a… purse Step 1 TURN one piece of Cashel so that it is portrait in front of you. Start stitching the purse flap 30cm (1¼in) up from the bottom edge of the fabric and centrally from left to right. Use two strands for the cross stitch and one for the backstitch and French knots. Step 2 CUT both pieces of Cashel to 28cm (11in), so that the stitched flap is at one end of the fabric, and the…

CrossStitcher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Art Deco Delights, 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 Light Blue • Skeins of DMC stranded cotton • Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 • Printer’s tray How to order: Go to www.willowfabrics.com or turn to page 10 to order your project pack at the CrossStitcher reader price of £58.50, or £25 for just the Printer’s Tray, both plus P&P. Designed by: Maria Diaz Max. stitch count: 36 x 36 small; 37 x 80 large Max. design size: 6.5x6.5cm (2½x2½in) small; 7x14.5cm (2¾x5¾in) large Stitch time: 45 hours This design was stitched…

Designed by: Cheryl McKinnon Stitch count: 28 high x 46 wide Design size: 5.5x8.5cm (2¼x3⅜in) Stitch time: 4 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. If you would like to make this floral tin, turn to page 10 to order your project pack containing a mint tin, aida and ribbon for £4, plus P&P Make a… tin Step 1 STITCH the design onto your aida fabric, using two strands of stranded cotton for the cross stitch, and one for the backstitch. Step 2 CUT your stitched aida to fit the top of your mint tin, coming over and onto the sides of the lid. Attach double-sided tape to the side of the lid and with your stitched aida on the lid, stretch the aida down onto the…

Bonnie McClung lives in Binbrook, Ontario Canada. She’s found support and inspiration from CrossStitcher, stitching groups and online stores, all invaluable due to the remote area that she lives in. “The only place nearby for stitching supplies is Michael’s, and their stock is minimal. So, most of my purchases are online,” she explains. “A few years ago I started going to a weekend retreat in Brampton called Stitch North. Through this group, several other groups were formed, I attend one in Hamilton and one in Mississauga a few times per year. One of my best friends (also a Bonnie) is also a stitcher, so we go together, or sometimes we get together for a stitch day at her home.” Bonnie started cross stitch around 40 years ago. “I went to…

Hullo! Moving into a new home is a mixture of excitement and uncertainty – a blank canvas waiting to be filled with memories and a touch of personality. As I settle into my new space, I’m realising that cross-stitch is much like the act of moving – every box I unpack is like a new stitch that contributes to the final piece. Some stitches come easily, falling into place without much thought, while others require a little trial and error to find where they truly belong. Placing familiar objects in new spaces is a ritual I’ve come to cherish. It creates a freshness to these treasured items, allowing me to see them in a new light. A cross-stitch that hung above my piano at my old place now finds itself…

How to… finish your stitching TRIM the design carefully, slightly larger than your cardboard shape. Place the wadding on the cardboard and then the stitching. With the design central, wrap the excess fabric over and onto the back of the cardboard, and either lace it in place, or use double-sided tape to stick it to the cardboard backing. Attach it to your box or tray. Materials • Zweigart Antique White 28 count Cashel, ref: Z3281/101; 10x15cm (4x6in)• Stranded cotton as listed in the key• Size 24 tapestry needle• Cardboard; 6.5x11.5cm (2½x4½in)• Wadding; 6.5x11.5cm (2½x4½in) Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com Designed by: Cheryl McKinnon Stitch count: 30 high x 60 wide Design size: 5.5x11cm (2⅛, x4¼in) Stitch time: 6 hours This design was stitched on 28 count linen over two threads of the…

We asked our fans on Facebook, “What non-essential item do you find you actually rely on to ensure stitching success?” CONCEPTA GRENNAN MURPHY Peace… I love to stitch in a quiet place. PAM HANCOCK Needleminders. Now that I use one, I had a little project in a little hoop but no needleminder. How to put that needle down now. Stick in couch, stick in sleeve, stick in mouth etc. What a pain. How did I work before I got a needleminder? URSULA MACLENNAN A good needle threader and also watching Floss Tube for inspiration. CINDY DRESCHER NERHEIM A pair of fine point tweezers. Useful for so many stitching tasks! ANN SPAHR My small hand-held magnifier has helped me ‘see’ a small print pattern more times than I can count. CARLA…

CrossStitcher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Home Grown, we have a materials pack with everything you need to get you stitching right away, and have it delivered to your door! Your materials pack contains: • Zweigart 14 count aida in Platinum• Skeins of DMC stranded cotton• Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 How to order: Fill in the form on page 10 or go to www.willowfabrics.com to order your project pack at the CrossStitcher reader price of £26.60, plus P&P. Designed by: Faye Walsh Stitch count: 180 high x 120 wide Design size: 33x22cm (13x8½in) Stitch time: 44 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Short on time? Stitch just the greenhouse, with the border enclosing it for a smaller design…

Designed by: Emma Congdon Max. stitch count: 24 high x 15 wide Max. design size: 4.5x3cm (1¾x1⅛in) Stitch time: 6 hours These designs were stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Matirials • Sampedro White 14 count aida; 7x5cm (2¾x2in) x 3• Stranded cotton as listed in the key• DMC Light Effects as listed in the key• Size 24 tapestry needle• Matchbox; 5x3.5cm (2x1⅜in) x 3  Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com How to… finish your bug boxes Step 1 STITCH the bugs using two strands for the cross stitch and one for the backstitch. Carefully trim each bug to fit inside a matchbox, in most cases you will need to leave just one or two blank aida squares around the edge of the design. Step 2 USE double-sided tape to attach the…

THE CHALLENGE • White 14 count aida • 8 shades of DMC stranded cotton (shown above) THE RULES • Create a design using the jam jar shape provided • The design must be no larger than 40 x 50 stitches • Only the materials above can be used • Be creative as possible! We’ve gone for a really creative challenge this month! We’ve invited three designers to create unique designs that beautifully fill a jar silhouette using only the materials listed on the left, along with the eight shades of stranded cotton we selected for them. The jar could be filled with items, or the designers could go for an idea that was less based on realism. Check out their results below – we’ve included a pattern for each design…

ISSUE 422 JUNE 2025 On sale 15 April Inside this month Cute Critters: adorable poster for the nursery Daddy Dearest: fabulously funny Father’s Day cards Head To The Med: European street scene Blooming Lovely: Cosmos display YOUR FREE GIFT! Use your kit to make a beautiful bird card, mounted on a special illustrated card… MAGAZINE ORDERING SERVICE Did you know that most independent newsagents operate a ‘Shop Save’ service? They will order and reserve your own copy for you to collect and buy, and you are not obliged to purchase. So there’s no problem if you are away, don’t need that issue or simply buy it somewhere else. So don’t miss out – reserve your copy today – just ask instore at your local newsagent.…

MOOD BOARDS I do all my initial designing in my sketchbook, and then screenshot all the images I am using as inspiration and then create a mood board on my iMac. This is the mood board for my new ‘Strawberries’ Cross stitch kit – it’s so summery! VINTAGE NEEDLEWORK BOOKS I collect second-hand needlework books – if I am passing a charity shop, I will have to go and check to see if any are in stock. I have some absolutely beautiful books which provide lots of inspiration! Below are my top 5 essentials when I’m creating designs for www.themakearcade.co.uk BOOK LIGHT Stitching in daylight is not always possible if you have to do your projects in the evenings, but I use a clip-on USB book light, which is a…

DOVER POCKETBOOK COLLECTION: CROSS-STITCH FLOWERS GERDA BENGTSSON [Dover Publications] Danish embroidery and textile artist Gerda Bengtsson, guides you through a treasury of 26 floral charted designs. This full-colour collection offers florals like daisies, pansies, and rose hips, each with its scientific name, informative text, a thread palette, and space for your ideas and notes. Adorn accessories, clothing, home furnishings and more with nature’s blooming beauties. Part of the Dover Pocketbook Collection series, with which crafters can enjoy their projects, wherever they wander. 21 DAYS TO LEARN EMBROIDERY SASHA PIGNON [C&T Publishing] Embark on a 21-day journey into the art of embroidery! This handy guide introduces various techniques, including cross stitch, as well as blending classic stitches with beads, sequins and paints. Create projects like a personalised stitch book or a French herbarium.…

Designed by: Maria Diaz Max. stitch count: 47 high x 36 wide Max. design size: 8.5x6.5cm (3¼x2½in) Stitch time: 5 hours each 20 These designs were stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Take care not to carry your thread too far behind the fabric when working the lettering, as it could show through to the front Make an… aperture card Step 1 WORK using two strands of stranded cotton for the cross stitch, and one strand for the backstitch as indicated on the chart. Step 2 TRIM the stitched fabric to fit your card, with the design centrally placed behind the card’s aperture. Step 3 ATTACH double-sided tape to the inside of the card around the edge of the aperture Step 4 PLACE the stitching on the table right-side up, and…

CrossStitcher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Beep, Beep, Blooms, we have a materials pack with everything you need to get you stitching right away, and have it delivered to your door! Your materials pack contains: • Sampedro 14 count aida in White • Skeins of DMC stranded cotton • Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 How to order: Fill in the form on page 10 or go to www.willowfabrics.com to order your project pack at the CrossStitcher reader price of £35.30, plus P&P. TURN TO PAGE 38 TO LEARN HOW TO FRAME YOUR PICTURE You could change the lettering on the numberplate if you wanted – just plan it out on graph paper first! Matirials • Sampedro White 14 count aida; 40x50cm (16x19½in)• Stranded…

Congratulations on making it to the final section of your Arts & Crafts tiles design. Worked in three sections in total, we gave you parts 1 and 2 in issues 419 and 420. Our unique tiles capture the beauty of nature, featuring intricate patterns of animals and leafy motifs. You will work on them using shades of green thread to create your very own nature-themed masterpiece! YOUR COMPLETE TILE SAMPLER Over three issues we have brought you all 12 Arts & Crafts Tiles to stitch the complete sampler. In this issue we bring you tiles 9 to 12, which completes the design. Part 1 and part 2 were in issues 419 and 420 of CrossStitcher. You will need to leave two blank aida squares between each tiles on all sides,…

THE ESSENTIAL KIT YOU’LL NEED TO START STITCHING FABRICS Aida is the ideal choice for cross stitch beginners – it is a block-weave fabric, which is divided into squares with a grid of holes. Each cross stitch is worked over one square. Aida comes in a range of sizes which are called counts. So 14 count means that there are 14 squares to the inch and this will make 14 cross stitches. Aida also comes in 16, 18 and 20 count. The larger the number, the more stitches to the inch and so the smaller the design will stitch up. Evenweave is a woven grid of threads in a finer count. Each stitch is usually worked over two threads, so a 28 count evenweave with each stitch worked over two…