Just CrossStitch April 2022

Hello stitching friends! Spring is upon us and bringing with her beds of colorful, dainty blooms and branches covered with fresh, fragrant blossoms. It’s a wonderful season of rebirth! In this issue of Just CrossStitch, we are celebrating the splendor of spring stitching with designs bursting with lovely floral motifs, projects that reflect the joys of Easter, and sweet pieces to welcome new little ones to the family! As we continue to look at stitching from around the world, the Sampler Sleuth, Deborah Fasano, teams up with Krista West of Avlea Stitching to share an informative article and eye-catching design featuring the age-old tradition of creating carefully stitched basket covers for Easter. We know you’ll enjoy this interesting read, and the Baltic Easter Basket Cover is sure to become a family heirloom for…

Design by Gail Bussi Skill Level: Easy Stitch Count: 77H x 103W Design Size: 5½” x 7⅜” Materials • 12” x 14” piece 14-count vintage blue whisper Aida from Wichelt Imports Inc. • One skein each DMC® or Sullivans® USA six-strand embroidery floss • Size 24 tapestry needle Instructions Cross stitch over one square using two strands of floss. Backstitch over one square or work straight stitch using one strand of floss. Work running stitch using one strand of floss. Shadow of Thy Wings Mother’s Legacy “My mom, Cathy Bussi, taught me so many things, like how to bake, how to knit and crochet, and how to use a sewing machine. But oddly enough, I was the one who first got her interested in counted cross stitch when I started my career as a designer. And she loved it. Her designs, some of which…

Design by Carol Thornton of Carol Thornton Designs Skill Level: Intermediate Stitch Count: 155H x 116W Design Size: 11¼” x 81⁄8” Materials • 18” x 15” piece 28-count white Jobelan from Wichelt Imports Inc. • One skein each DMC® or Sullivans® USA six-strand embroidery floss • One skein DMC® Color Variations • Size 24 tapestry needle Instructions Cross stitch over two threads using two strands of floss. Backstitch over two threads or work straight stitch using one strand of floss. Work French knot using one strand of floss and wrapping around needle twice. Blue Blooms Shaded portion indicates chart overlap.…

Skill Level: Intermediate Stitch Count: 33H x 183W Design Size: 21⁄8” x 121⁄8” Materials Note: Determine finished size, based on circumference of desired basket or container, and adjust stitch band length accordingly. • 3” x 22” piece 16-count white Aida cotton band with scalloped border (#70081) from Wichelt Imports Inc. • One skein each DMC® or Sullivans® USA six-strand embroidery floss • Size 24 tapestry needle Instructions Center design on band, working design once. Cross stitch over one square using two strands of floss. Where small symbols appear, work ¾ cross stitch using two strands of floss. Backstitch over one square or work straight stitch using one strand of floss. Work French knot using one strand of floss and wrapping around needle twice. Wildflowers Return Shaded portion indicates chart overlap.…

Design by Kate Spiridonova Skill Level: Easy Stitch Count: 80H x 80W Design Size: 5¾” x 5¾” Materials • 12” x 12” piece 28-count Helix linen from Picture This Plus • One skein each The Gentle Art Sampler Threads • One skein The Gentle Art Simply Shaker Sampler Threads • Size 24 tapestry needle *DMC® alternatives are not one-to-one equivalents to the floss suggested by the designer. To achieve results pictured, use the floss listed in the first column. Instructions Cross stitch over two threads using two strands of floss. Finishing Materials & Instructions • 10” x 10” King Crown Box from Lone Elm Lane Press stitched piece from reverse side, straightening as much as possible. Refer to manufacturer’s instructions to insert stitched piece into box lid. Sprinkled With Love Designer Tip To give this project a touch of dimension, try adding an embellishment such as the fun…

Design by Perry A. Hadi of Stitchora Skill Level: Intermediate Stitch Count: 98H x 97W Design Size: 6⅞” x 6¾” Materials • 13” x 13” piece 28-count ray of light Cashel linen from Zweigart® • One skein each DMC® or Sullivans® USA six-strand embroidery floss • Size 24 tapestry needle Instructions Cross stitch over two threads using two strands of floss. Where small symbols appear, work partial cross stitches using two strands of floss. Where two colors are bracketed together, use one strand of each color floss. Work ½ cross stitch over two threads using two strands of floss. Backstitch over two threads or work straight stitch using one or two strands of floss as indicated in the color code. Morning Tea Shaded portion indicates chart overlap.…