The World of Cross Stitching February 2022

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, there are plenty of romantic ideas for you to stitch for your other half this month. Jenny Barton’s trio of cute designs are filled with her characteristic warmth and humour (p20) or for a smaller project, stitch a card with the words ‘I love you’ in a language of your choice. This set of greetings from Perry Abdel-Hadi feature sweet motifs and 10 different dialect variations (p66). February 2022 marks the start of the Year of the Tiger so celebrate Chinese New Year with Durene Jones’ striking big cat on vibrant red fabric (p62). We know that families come in all shapes and sizes, so we wanted to offer an inclusive sampler for new arrivals whatever the family set up. This sweet typographical…

GAIL BUSSI Gail designed projects for WOXS many years ago and we’re thrilled to welcome her back again. Try her intricate folk-style birdhouse sampler on page 36. HANNAH DALE Hannah has perfectly captured the beauty and poise of a leopard in their tropical jungle habitat (p10) in a new and exclusive design on speckled fabric. SUSAN BATES Choose from six miniature modern floral designs to create pretty necklaces, pin badges and magnets – a fun way to show off your stitchy hobby (p76).…

Yasmin Elahi is an office assistant from Brisbane, Australia How did you start stitching? I found a small teacup kit at a garage sale when I was about 10 and my grandmother showed me how to complete it. From then on, I’ve been hooked. Current project? I’ve just about finished an abstract rainbow cat portrait for my mum. After that, I’m looking forward to starting on the 3D Christmas Village SAL from issue 312 (November 2021). Hopefully I’ll be able to get it finished in time for Christmas! What has been your worst stitching disaster? I once trimmed my aida too small to be able to frame the design. Framing projects has really never been a strength for me. Fave WOXS design? The ‘Black Cats’ design from issue 311 (October…

Chef Mouse key STITCH COUNT 40 high x 37 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 7.5x7cm (2¾x2½in) This design was stitched using DMC stranded cotton Stitch Chef Monty Mouse for your foodie friends and family. He’s been busy in the kitchen in his chef whites cooking up a storm for Flossie and Lizzie. An ideal design for saying thank you or making cute invites to a special celebration meal, this scrummy stitch is sure to delight. Missed a chart? ISSUE 315 Lizzie will be there to collect little ones’ teeth with a wave of her magic wand. ISSUE 314 Lizzie’s delighted with a giant cheese gift that’s almost as big as she is. ISSUE 313 Lizzie’s spreading Christmas cheer this year with her giant red glittering bauble. For…

Materials White14-count aida measuring 9x9cm (31/2x31/2in) Strandedcotton as listed in the key Felt wooden dowel rod and baker’s twine Inside your kit… Here are the colours and number of lengths of thread Lilac x1 Pink x3 Brown x1 Green x2 Light green x2 Red x2 Grey x2 Total: 13 lengths Love is in the Air key STITCH COUNT 35 high x 35 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 6.5x6.5cm (2½x2½in) DESIGNED BY Emma Congdon STITCHED BY Laura Boyter This design was stitched using stranded cotton from your coverkit Whole stitches only Factbox Approx4hours Crossstitchbackstitch Beginner TOP TIP To attach your stitching to the felt, position centrally and sew running stitch in white thread around the outside edge of the stitched area…

This fierce feline looks positively sublime sitting among vibrant blooms and leaves. The exclusive Hannah Dale design – in her signature style – beautifully illustrates the creature’s distinctive coat and captivating yellow eyes in this engaging wild scene with a contemporary and feminine feel The fresh composition uses soft realistic shading in 29 colours to build layer upon layer of gorgeous fur as well as rich foliage and, with mostly whole stitches and backstitch, even beginners can take up the challenge. You’ll just need to watch out for the occasional fractional backstitch used to create rounded and more defined shapes to features for added character – we recommend you use a sharp needle to help split through the middle of stitches. Stitch on special flecked fabric and mount in a…