Cross Stitch Favourites Christmas 2021

Christmas this year is set to be really special. After the restrictions of last year and not being able to spend this precious time with loved-ones, I predict that everyone will be really going to town this December. And we're helping you get prepared for the celebrations with a packed issue of Cross Stitch Favourites. Whether you like to stitch cards, gifts, home decorations, or a little bit of all three, you'll find lots of inspiring charts inside this issue, as well as some brilliant practical ideas on how to turn your stitching into gorgeous festive treats. We've brought together some of the world's very best cross stitch designers to create this bumper collection of fabulously festive charts. There's something for everyone inside, so if you're stitching for the very…

Christmas this year is set to be really special. After the restrictions of last year and not being able to spend this precious time with loved-ones, I predict that everyone will be really going to town this December. And we're helping you get prepared for the celebrations with a packed issue of Cross Stitch Favourites. Whether you like to stitch cards, gifts, home decorations, or a little bit of all three, you'll find lots of inspiring charts inside this issue, as well as some brilliant practical ideas on how to turn your stitching into gorgeous festive treats. We've brought together some of the world's very best cross stitch designers to create this bumper collection of fabulously festive charts. There's something for everyone inside, so if you're stitching for the very first…

Shopping list Fabric 14-count rustico oatmeal aida measuring 48x41cm (18¾x16¼in) Threads Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle Size 24 tapestry needle Extras Backing fabric Bakers twine Stitcher’s guide Our impressive Santa sack is stitched onto 14-count rustico oatmeal aida using 30 different colours of thread. It contains just whole cross stitches and backstitch, and will take around 35 hours to stitch, making it the perfect project for an advanced beginner. How to stitch the Santa sack 1 Find the centre of your fabric by folding it in half both horizontally and vertically. Follow the arrows on the chart to find its centre and start stitching here, in the centre of your fabric, working outwards. 2 Work the cross stitch using two strands of cotton or DMC Étoile. Thirty…

Shopping list Fabric 14-count white aida measuring 12x18cm (4¾x7in) for each design Threads Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle Size 24 tapestry needle Beading needle Extras Mill Hill seed beads and bugle beads as listed in the key Single fold cards Stitcher’s guide Our sparkling trees are stitched onto 14-count white aida using 18 different colours of thread. They contain whole cross stitch, fractionals, backstitch and beads, making them a perfect project for intermediate level stitchers. How to stitch the beaded trees 1 Find the centre of your fabric by folding it in half both horizontally and vertically. Follow the black arrows on the sides of the chart to find its centre, and start stitching here, working your way outwards. 2 Complete all of the cross stitch first,…

Shopping list Fabric 14-count rustico oatmeal aida measuring 48x41cm (18¾x16¼in) Threads Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle Size 24 tapestry needle Extras Backing fabric Bakers twine Stitcher’s guide Our impressive Santa sack is stitched onto 14-count rustico oatmeal aida using 30 different colours of thread. It contains just whole cross stitches and backstitch, and will take around 35 hours to stitch, making it the perfect project for an advanced beginner. How to stitch the Santa sack 1 Find the centre of your fabric by folding it in half both horizontally and vertically. Follow the arrows on the chart to find its centre and start stitching here, in the centre of your fabric, working outwards. 2 Work the cross stitch using two strands of cotton or DMC Étoile. Thirty different colours of thread are used for the cross stitch in this chart, so…

Stitcher’s guide Our punny motifs are stitched onto 14-count white aida and aida band. You’ll use just whole cross stitches and backstitch to bring them to life, so there’s something for every stitcher in this collection, including complete beginners. Shopping list Fabric 14-count white aida measuring a maximum of 10x10cm (4x4in) for most designs 14-count 1in wide white aida band cut to desired length Threads Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle Size 24 tapestry needle Extras All items either handmade or shop-bought These designs were stitched using DMC stranded cotton Stitch Tip To avoid knots in your thread, remember to regularly allow the needle and thread to hang for a moment so it can untwist Stitch Tip If you’ve miscounted and your mistake involves just a few stitches,…