Cross Stitch Favourites

We’ve packed the Christmas edition of Cross Stitch Favourites full of festive cheer for you! So, string up those fairy lights in your crafting corner, put on your Santa hat and get stuck into this cracker of an issue, which promises plenty of treats to keep you busy and feeling stitch-happy. There’s plenty of tempting charts to cosy up to on the shorter evenings with this fabulous range of designs, making sure you’re stitch-ready for the big day. If you’re looking for a bigger project the elves stocking will shoot straight to the top of your to-stitch list, it’s an instant classic children will love. We’ve a stocking sign to hang it from too, plus an easy-to-assemble advent calendar complete with pockets for treats. To keep you going on your stitching countdown,…

Many of us opt to give gift cards at Christmas and it’s no wonder – the recipient can buy whatever they like best from the shops, ensuring the gift is always just right for them. But sometimes, these presents could use a personal touch – which is why these fabulous gift card holders by Rhona are the ideal way to give this type of present some pizazz. These four cute critters become a simple pocket into which you can tuck your gift card. Choose from a grinning reindeer, happy pup, cuddly teddy, or sweet little mouse, or just stitch the whole set if you can’t decide who is your favourite from the bunch! It’s then very simple to turn them into finished holders using a wooden hoop – turn over to page…

Counting down to Christmas can be just as exciting as the day itself. Even more so if you have Durene’s charming Advent calendar envelopes to enjoy opening each day – you’ll wish that December would last all year round! There are 24 small festive motifs, and each design is unique. From holiday food favourites and classic tree decorations to cute creatures wrapped up in winter wear, you’ll be hard-pressed to pick a favourite. It’ll take around 80 hours to complete the whole set, but each design is a satisfyingly quick stitch. Worked on 14-count aida using whole stitch in bright and bold festive colours, with a little black backstitch, this is a great project for beginners. You can display your stitching strung up in a frame with mini pegs and twine.…

These mischievous hardworking elves have been up all night in Santa’s workshop, building special alphabet letters which you can get stitch-ready in time for the big day. Each little elf wears curly-toed shoes and large pointy hats and will make a fun addition to a whole host of Christmas goodies, from labels for the children’s stockings and festive door plaques, to quick-to-stitch cards and gift tags. How to make a patch 1 Once you have completed your stitching, trim the aida leaving a four-row border around the edge, then carefully fray two squares all the way around. 2 Affix medium-weight iron-on interfacing slightly smaller than the unfrayed area of fabric to the reverse side. 3 Pin your patch to the sack and sew in place using a line of neat running stitches around the…

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Father Christmas and his trusty team of reindeer have a hugely important job to do on Christmas Eve, with a lot of houses to visit in a very short time! You can make Santa’s task a bit easier this year by hanging up children’s stockings on this personalised sign, so he instantly knows whose presents go in which! The pattern has a simply sweet colour palette of pastel pinks, blues and purples alongside brighter red lettering and details. The design is created in whole cross stitch only, with just a bit of backstitch for the reins and each name, so advanced beginners will enjoy tackling this project. You’ll find an alphabet chart for personalising the sign, and the simple repeating border, which is reminiscent of candy canes, can be extended in…