The World of Cross Stitching

There’s a big event happening here in the UK this month – the coronation of our new King, Charles III, is taking place on 6 May! We’ll all be celebrating this historical event in our own special way, but if you’d like to commemorate the occasion in stitches, you’ll love Durene Jones’ symbolic sampler (p36). The design features a central Assisi-style profile of our King with the four national symbols of the United Kingdom in the corners. Regal purple threads and gold metallics complete the opulence in this heirloom design. We’ve got a fab selection of sunny stitches to brighten your home, too. A summer’s day wouldn’t be complete without a buzzing bumble bee and you can bring this humble insect to life in our honeycomb hoop on page 54.…

CHERYL MCKINNON Wish happy-ever-after to a special couple with Cheryl’s modern wedding Design Library (p47). Create personalised cards, gifts and wedding décor. MARIA DIAZ Maria’s cocktail-themed alphabet (p26) covers all your favourite tipples from Aperol Spritz to Long Island Ice Tea and Zombie to Bloody Mary. Cheers! JENNY BARTON Send warm wishes to new parents with Jenny’s versatile set of cards (p64). Stitch for a Christening, baptism, naming day or congrats on a new arrival!…

Gilly Moore is retired and from Eastbourne How did you start cross stitching? I bought a very early copy of WOXS with a picture of a woodland creatures sampler on the front. What do you like to stitch? Designs commemorating family and friends’ likes and pastimes. Which three words describe you best? Dog-lover. Chocoholic. Creative. Who’s your favourite designer? Lucie Heaton for small projects and I really like Durene Jones’ designs, especially the elf ABC Christmas stockings from issue 327 (Xmas 2022). What’s your proudest or most memorable stitching moment? Winning second place at a local craft fair for a piece of my stitching. Hayley-Roxanna Banford is a dance teacher and crafter from Bloxwich What’s your proudest stitching moment? My proudest stitching moment is when I sold my first cross…

Cavemouse key STITCH COUNT 39 high x 38 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 7x7cm (2¾x2¾in) Lizzie the cavemouse is ahead of the times in her one-shoulder animal-print dress! She may have a club in hand, but we can’t resist that butter-wouldn’t-melt smile of hers. Stitch this adorable chart as a card for a history buff or a child learning about the Stone Age at school. Missed a chart? ISSUE 331 Flossie’s salon is open for business and she’s waiting with open arms! ISSUE 330 Go birdwatching with Charlie and his brand new binoculars. Tweet! Tweet! ISSUE 329 Shimmy and shake with Lizzie as she strikes a pose on the dancefloor. For back issues, call ☎ 03330 162 137 or visit http://bit.ly/1NwX3Rv…

Inside your kit… Here are the colours and number of lengths of thread B5200 (white) x2 310 (black) x2 349 (red) x2 414 (grey) x2 726 (yellow) x1 728 (dark yellow) x1 762 (light grey) x2 816 (dark red) x2 3799 (dark grey) x2 3801 (light red) x2 841 (brown) x2 842 (light brown) x2 Total: 22 lengths TOP TIP Search for ‘Felt flower frames’ on our website, www.gathered.how, for a handy step-by-step photo tutorial for making your frames Gifts available with print edition only. Overseas gift may vary. Stitch in an evening Factbox Approx3-4hourseach Crossstitchhalfcross stitch, backstitch Advancedbeginner Insects key MAXIMUM STITCH COUNT 28 high x 29 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 5x5cm (2x2in) STITCHED BY Laura Boyter These designs were stitched using…

Inspire the next generation of tiny dancers in your family with the cutest picture to hang and admire. These children have donned their fanciest costumes to put on a show for everyone to enjoy. You may even be tempted to don some ballet shoes yourself, or practise your plié in-between stitching sessions! The range of stitches in this design will really stretch your skillset, but with easy shading in pretty pastel colours, don’t let the long key put you off. Blended threads are used to recreate the translucent voile outfits, which simply involves using two different coloured strands of thread in the needle at the same time – then just stitch as normal. Half-stitch shadows help to ground the figures, and there are also some French knot details for a…