/ Crafts
CrossStitcher
February 2020CrossStitcher is the UK’s best-selling crafts magazine. Each issue is packed with inspirational cross stitch designs and exciting new ideas that will help you make the most of this wonderfully relaxing and rewarding hobby. Please note: This digital version of the magazine does not currently include the covermount items or content you would find on printed newsstand copies.
IN THIS ISSUE
make of the month
Designed by: Susan Penny Stitch count: 25 high x 66 wide Design size: 5x7cm (2x2¾in) Stitch time: 2 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric Make a… needlecase Step 1 STITCH the design in the centre of your aida, adding your chosen letter from the alphabet provided. Use two strands for the cross stitch, one for the backstitch. Step 2 CUT your stitched fabric, leaving three bank squares of aida around the design. Remove the outer square on all sides to fray the edges. Step 3 CUT the second piece of white felt the same size as the floral fabric. With right sides facing, place the felt and floral fabric together, then stitch around the edge, leaving a gap on one side for turning. Turn through to the right side. Press flat and then sew up the gap. Step…
welcome
NO ONE SEEMS VERY FOND of the early months of the year but we think there is something to be said for the feeling of being warm inside and looking out of the window into the winter world, whether it’s frosty where you live or full-on snow. (Apologies to our Australian readers!) This is the feeling we hope to capture with our cover project for this month. So our window setting takes in a seasonal view, just as the light is beginning to fade and it’s time to make a nice warming drink. Turn to page 18 to share the feeling in stitches! We really should call this our cosy issue. From a kitchen coffee sampler to perk up winter mornings (page 58) to some cute character cards all wrapped up…
out there
Shiny, happy, stitching… We’ve fallen in love with the new embroidery kits from Rico Design. Each kit contains everything you need to embroider stylish modern cases, purses and wall hangings, and we’re delighted that the Love and Beauty cases, as well as the Happy purse each feature cross stitching – with metallic threads included for extra sparkle in some of the kits. There’s also a birds wall hanging and floral purse using a variety of embroidery stitches if you’d like to expand your skills. For stockists visit www.rico-design.com. STORY SISTERS BOTHY THREADS have brought out a fabulous sampler for any bookworms or history lovers out there. Their Brontes design by Pete Smith is packed with literary details about the sister writers. Each kit contains 14 count cream Zweigart aida, pre-sorted stranded cottons, needles,…
my craft room: lucie heaton
“My workspace for the last 19 years has been a tiny room tucked away upstairs at home, it’s actually adjoining to my bedroom so my commute to work takes less than one minute and I can turn up in my PJs, how handy is that? “My essential bits of kit are a laptop for creating new cross stitch patterns, thread samples and shade cards, a daylight lamp and photography backdrop board plus space for lots and lots of cross stitch magazines. I love how everything is within easy reach in my little room, once I settle down in my space I can really concentrate on everything cross stitch and I become quite oblivious to the outside world!” www.lucieheaton.com Facebook and Instagram: @lucieheatoncrossstitch…
trend spotting
WINTER MITTENS WE’RE WRAPPING up warm against the winter cold, so here’s some ideas to keep things cosy and get making with mittens… WHO Panna have this gorgeous Mittens cross stitch kit, worked in half stitches, whole stitches and backstitch. panna-stitch.com WHAT Check out this pretty large (25mm wide) yellow grain ribbon with a printed pattern of mittens and snowflakes. www.etsy.com/uk/shop/JosieCoccinelle HOW Create cosy home furnishings or back cross stitch hangers and cushions with this Winter & Mittens fabric, which is digitally printed onto the fabric of your choice. www.spoonflower.com…
stitching with jess
Hullo! Welcome to the final pa ern in our affirmation series! I hope you’ve enjoyed them as much as I’ve enjoyed creating them for you! The fitting final word is: Achieve. What could you achieve if you knew you couldn’t fail? What dreams could you realise if you knew nothing–including yourself – stood in your way? By pushing aside insecurity or doubt (even temporarily) and just starting, I find most things are far less intimidating than I first thought. We can’t achieve if we don’t begin! But starting can be easier said than done! We’ve all been there. You’re keen to start, you have a plan and the tools: you want to do this! But for some reason, you just can’t start. Maybe it’s the anxiety of trying something new, or of…
