Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2025 i CrossStitcher

Just Gorjuss! As many stitchers know, Gorjuss is an enchanting collection of stripy-socked female character designs, created by Suzanne Woolcott. 15 years ago, Bothy Threads started working with Santoro London on their Gorjuss Collection. The designs were really popular, and after a short break, the Bothy/Gorjuss Collaboration is back. Take your pick from a whole host of cute cross stitch kits, which include everything you need to stitch them. Choose from eight cross-stitch ‘gorjuss’ designs.  www.bothythreads.com FIRM FAVOURITES: TANIA SANTARELLI Designers share with us their top stitching essentials DUCK NEEDLECASE One of my most treasured accessories is a duck-shaped needlecase – a special gift that I keep with great care. I use it exclusively for my embroidery needles – I love the ones with a fi ne shaft and a…

Designed by: Cheryl McKinnon Stitch count: 30 high x 69 wide Design size: 4.5x11cm (1¾x4¼in) Stitch time: 12 hours This design was stitched on 32 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. Mterials • Zweigart Murano White 32 counteavenweave, ref: 3984/770; 27x20.5cm (10⅝x8in) x2• Stranded cotton as listed in the key• Size 26 tapestry needle• Blue bobble trim; 28cm (11in) x 2 Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com Make a… bag Step 1 FOLLOWING the chart and key, start stitching the bottom row of the design, 5cm (2in) up from the bottom edge of one piece of evenweave. Repeat for the other piece of fabric, so you have a design on both sides of the bag. Step 2 PLACE, the two stitched pieces of evenweave right-sides together, and down the long edges,…

There’s a quiet magic in Chloe Giordano’s embroidery. Her delicate creatures – foxes mid-pounce, fawns curled in sleep, hares caught mid-turn – are brought to life with thousands of soft, precise stitches, every thread a brushstroke in her textile menagerie. But to simply call them stitched animals misses that these pieces hum with the reverence of a naturalist, the imagination of a storyteller, and the touch of someone whose hands know the rhythm of time. Chloe began her creative journey as an illustrator, studying at the University of the West of England in Bristol. “I never viewed embroidery as a hobby,” she explains. “I always saw it as a form of art and illustration and expected it to be received that way.” That mindset allowed her to push embroidery into…

THE CHALLENGE • White plastic aida • 7 shades of DMC stranded cotton (shown above) • Brooch pin THE RULES • Create a summer brooch on plastic aida • The design must be no larger than 45 x 45 stitches • Only the materials above can be used • Be creative as possible! Summer is in full swing, and a light-hearted brooch to wear on hot sunny days is the inspiration for this month’s challenge. We asked three designers to create a brooch that’s suitable for the summer, worked on plastic aida. They also had to stick to only the seven shades of stranded cotton we selected for them. Check out their fun results below – we’ve included a pattern for each design so you can stitch your favourite! We…

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…

Hullo! Some things don’t shout for our attention. The passions that keep us glowing often don’t ping us with loud reminders. They wait quietly – on shelves, in sketchbooks, in drawers – with patient understanding that one day we’ll be free to give them our full attention again. One that’s slipped into the background for me is music. It’s a lifelong friend I don’t see nearly enough and the longer I go without it, the easier it becomes to let it slip further away. This wasn’t a conscious decision; life just got louder, responsibilities piled up, creative energy feels scarce. And music – like many passion projects – feels like something I’ll come back to when things quiet down. Life rarely quietens down unless we choose to carve out space…

Designed by: Emma Congdon Stitch count: 15 high x 40 wide key; 38 high x 32 wide padlock Design size: 3x7.5cm (1¼x2⅞in); 7x6cm (2¾x2⅜in) Stitch time: 1½ hours; 3 hours These designs were stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials • Zweigart Teal 14 count aida, ref: 3706/514, 10x14cm (4x5½in) box; 10x10cm (4x4in) keychain• Stranded cotton as listed in the key• Size 24 tapestry needle• Mint tin• Teal felt; 9x9cm (3½x3½in)• Gold 6mm grosgrain ribbon; 1m• Key chain ring• Twisted cord; 28cm (11in)• Cardboard; 9x9cm (3½x3½in) Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com Make a… box Step 1 CUT your stitched key to fit the top of your mint tin, bringing the aida down over and onto the sides of the lid. Attach double-sided tape to the side of the lid, and with your stitched…

Designed by: Cheryl McKinnon Stitch count: 84 high x 84 wide Design size: 15.5x15.5cm (6¼x6¼in) Stitch time: 31 hours These designs were stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials • Sampedro White 14 count aida; 20x20cm (8x8in)• Stranded cotton as listed in the key• Size 24 tapestry needle• Teal felt; 10x10cm (4x4in)• Toy stuffing Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com Make a… pincushion Step 1 LAY your stitched pincushion flat on the table. At each corner there is an unstitched square of aida. On your first corner, bring the two stitched edges of this square together, so that the black backstitch on the edges meets. Using a matching thread, ladder stitch down the seam, bringing the sides together gently as you work, and forming a neat corner – the unstitched aida will…

STAR LETTER Cute Shoe Collection I had always dreamed of one day owning a bespoke, hand-made pair of shoes from London. I am German, and, of course, there are companies here that make shoes too, but my new shoes had to be from London! I found a company, James Taylor & Son, and discussed my wishes with them. When I went back to pick up my shoes earlier this year, I was amazed and in love straight away! Steve and Theo at the shop very graciously and patiently helped me with my order, and so I had stitched two cards for them as a Thank You. The charts were in a previous issue of CrossStitcher. Thanks for a fantastic magazine! I find new inspiration in every issue. You don’t need…

With a newfound enthusiasm for embroidery, cross stitch and crochet, Sam Hunter took the plunge this spring to open her very own stitching shop! She shared with us how it all came about and her favourite current stitches. Sam Hunter’s journey into the world of cross stitching began only in recent years, yet the impact she has made since opening her new shop, The Stitching Lady, has been remarkable. What Sam discovered upon venturing into the cross-stitch community was inspiring – a vibrant network of stitchers who share her passion right in her own neighbourhood. “It’s been such a joy to discover a community of stitchers right on my doorstep!” she reflects. “With just a needle and thread, you can create something beautiful from nothing!” The seed of a love…

Toile de Jouy means Cloth of Jouy in French and refers to a pastoral, romantic fabric pattern style which was the height of fashion in the 18th and 19th centuries Designed by: Susan Bates Max. stitch count: 42 high x 42 wide Max. design size: 12x12cm (4⅝x4⅝in) Stitch time: 6 hours (each) This design was stitched on 18 count Anne cloth, working each stitch over two threads of fabric Materials • Zweigart White 18 count Cotton-Anne cloth, ref: 7588/0100 – quarter panel with 12 blocks (3x4) and half a block border all the way around the edge; 72.5x59cm (28½x23¼in)• Stranded cotton as listed in the key• Size 24 tapestry needle Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com Stitching your… panel Step 1 YOUR quarter panel of Cotton-Anne cloth will have 12 small panels –…

For July we have three more budget-priced kits on 11 count aida. These kits are great for stitchers wanting to progress their cross stitch skills by working a larger project, or for those wanting an easy stitch while travelling. All the kits are by Trimits, and we have something for every one with a great mix of styles. Sunflowers has a finished size of 30x26cm, Zebra is 28x28cm, and Birds is 36x36cm. Sunflowers is fully stitched, whereas Zebras and Birds are not. We suggest you use a frame to secure your aida while stitching. All three kits contain white 11 count aida, and all come with stranded cotton, needle and pre-sorted thread, plus a chart and key. Three lovely designs available: Sunflowers – a pretty floral scene of bright sunflowers.…

DISNEY STITCH CROSS-STITCH EDITORS OF THUNDER BAY PRESS [Thunder Bay Press] This is a fab resource for fans of Lilo and Stitch. It features 12 adorable projects with clear step-by-step instructions. The 56-page paperback includes materials to complete two specific designs right away: Stitch an Ohana banner and Stitch in luau attire, with more charts for pillows, hand towels, and decorations to enjoy. It promises hours of creative fun, whether for yourself or to create as gifts for fellow Disney fans! STITCH STARS, TAYLOR! EMILY MIDDLETON [David & Charles] This collection is a follow-up to Stitch Stars, Harry!, but tailored specifically for Swifties. It features over 20 embroidery patterns inspired by her iconic fashion. Explore Taylor’s unique outfits from her legendary performances while creating memorable stitched pieces. The collection includes simple patterns,…

Designed by: Maria Diaz Max. stitch count: 48 high x 38 wide Max. design size: 9x7cm (3½x2¾in) Stitch time: 6 hours each These designs were stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials For each card • Sampedro White 14 count aida; 15x11cm (6x41⁄4in)• Stranded cotton as listed in the key• Size 24 tapestry needle• Card blank, with a 10x8cm (4x31⁄4in) rectangular aperture Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com *See ‘The Key’ on page 79. Why not mount all four cards together to make a sunny sampler? 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.…

PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Growing Panes, 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: • Sampedro 14 count aida in White • Skeins of DMC stranded cotton • House-shaped wooden frame • 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 £ 37.90 with the frame or £13 for the frame only, both plus P&P. You can order the house-shaped frame for this design from Willow Fabrics alone or as part of a materials pack Designed by: Cheryl McKinnon Stitch count: 81…

Travel back in time with our nostalgic washing line scene! Enjoy the calming sight of a farmhouse courtyard’s laundry blowing in the breeze, together with charming details such as the farm geese! This project is perfect for those who want to challenge themselves as it’s larger and slightly more complex than our usual projects, with half stitching and French knots included. Designed by: Maria Diaz Stitch count: 155 high x 118 wide Design size: 29x23cm (11⅜x9in) Stitch time: 53 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials • DMC Morning Dew Blue/Green 14 count aida; 50x50cm (19½x19½in)• Stranded cotton as listed in the key• Size 24 tapestry needle• Frame with a 34.5x28cm (13½x11in) aperture• Mount board to fit frame Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com HOW TO… TAKE YOUR…