CrossStitcher December 2021

Our Christmas campervan would also make a cute keyring to use over the festive season! Simply thread a split ring through the ribbon before attaching the ribbon as a loop to the top of your stitched piece, adding the ring’s clip to finish Designed by: Susan Penny Stitch count: 40 high x 31 wide Design size: 7.5x5.5cm (3x21⁄4in) Stitch time: 6 hours This design was stitched on 14 count plastic aida. DOUBLE PROJECT SPECIAL Make a… Christmas decoration Step 1 START stitching in the centre of an 8x8cm (3¼x3¼in) piece of 14 count white or cream plastic aida. Step 2 TRIM the plastic aida, leaving one blank aida square around the design. Cut off the square corners into slopes. Step 3 USING the cut plastic aida as a guide, cut some…

Designed by: Susan Penny Stitch count: 38 high x 47 wide (part 3) Design size: 7x9cm (23⁄4x31⁄2in) Stitch time: 5 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Make a… Glad Tidings sampler Step 1 ALLOW for the complete sampler to fit onto your fabric. Start stitching Part 1, which was in issue 375 of CrossStitcher, centrally on the fabric, and leaving six blank aida squares above the uppermost green cross stitch. Part 2, in the November issue, fits directly below Part 1, and Part 3 in this issue under Part 2. Step 2 USE two strands for the cross stitch, one for the backstitch. The beads are stitched to the chandelier in the positions shown on the chart. Use any saved stranded cotton threads you have from the…

WE ARE FULL-ON FESTIVE this issue! We can’t wait to get out all our favourite decorations (if we can find them after our house move with so many boxes still not unpacked!). Most of all, we’d like to add just a few new things. First on our wish-list is the 3D Nativity on page 36. You can enjoy stitching a different image on each side and the finishing is easy, we promise! If you have time to think bigger, our cover star is a real treat (page 20). Blending filament and beads add magic to a stunning scene of Santa Claus. Plus, with a stocking little ones will adore, a wreath of snowy animals and a tribute to cosy Christmas jumpers, you are truly spoiled for choice! As you’ll have seen…

Light up Christmas! For bold, bright designs that are both colourful and Christmassy, check out the latest selection of festive kits from The Make Arcade. There’s a new range of mini kits which each fit a 3in mini wooden hoop – every kit includes aida, felt for the back, DMC threads and needle, full colour stitch pattern and ‘How to Cross Stitch’ leaflet. From sausage dogs to fairy lights, they all come in a colourful box – so make great stocking fillers too. We also love the look of their large Christmas Cross Stitch kit which is designed so you can ‘Cross Stitch your way to Christmas Day’. This time the kit comes with a large 8in hoop. For more information, visit www.themakearcade.co.uk. FINE PINES SPRUCE UP your festive stitching with…

“I created a studio office in my garden in North Yorkshire. I wanted it to look comfortable and lived in, so I used lots of reclaimed wood for the shelves and my desk. I bought an old mill cabinet that has loads of pigeon holes the right size for sample pieces of fabric, and holds my thread holders and cards perfectly. I’ve also got magnetic white boards to hold all the needleminders as I make them, so I can easily see what stock I have, and it keeps them from snapping together and being damaged.” www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SarahWatkinsDesign Drop us a line to crosssstitcher@warnersgroup.co.uk with images of your craft space and a few words about it and our favourites could be featured in a future issue!…

Hullo! Pat yourself on the back, dear reader – we’ve made it on another cycle of our local star! Sure, gravity did most of the work there, but it’s still worthy of celebration. As this year slips away, many people start planning those new year’s resolutions. Sure, we can make a resolution to change our worlds at any point in the year, but new beginnings are always a great time to create new habits and goals! This month’s floriology display embodies both end-of-year foresight and festivities – the holly. Foresight includes being able to predict what will happen or be needed in the future and providing for that future. If you’re looking to change something up in the coming year, foresight is just the type of skill you need! Now,…