The World of Cross Stitching September 2020
Every issue is packed with the very best cross stitch designs, expert advice and in depth technical features, as well as product news, reader letters and stories, competitions and giveaways.
in this issue
welcome
With the days getting warmer and longer, and lockdown easing, we’re starting to spend a bit more time outdoors – socially distanced, of course! If you’re still finding time to finish your WIPs, I’m sure you’ll discover your next project in this issue. Wish a pal well as they settle into a new abode with Durene Jones’ fun new home cards (p24) and Ian Hallows’ adorable bear with a bright sunflower bouquet is sure to make someone’s day (p64). We’ve got a must-have item for your craft kit on page 56 – three cross stitch rulers to help you adjust designs onto different fabric counts. Plus, Amanda Butler’s intricate dreamcatcher will have you honing your skills (p78). We’re making adjustments whilst working from home and sadly this month there are no competitions…
meet our guests
Gloria Gateva-Kesterton is an account executive from Oxfordshire, UK How’d you start stitching? My grandmother loved stitching. She’d sit in her cosy spot and I’d stay by her side sorting her threads. One day, when I was nine years old, she gave me a cross stitch magazine and suggested I pick a project of my own (a bowl of strawberries). Why do you love stitching? The tranquility it provides. A moment of serenity allowing you to shut down and relax, truly not feeling anxious about anything. In fact, not thinking at all, just calm, peace and quiet. WOXS project you love? In the April 2020 issue (292) there was a lovely design by Durene Jones called ‘Grazing Sheep’ – the shape and colours are so vivid! Current stitch? I’m finishing a pocketsize LanArte ‘Sheep’ design by James Hearne…
furry tales
Rock Star Mouse key STITCH COUNT 38 high x 36 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 7x6.5cm (2¾x2½in) This design was stitched using DMC stranded cotton Missed a chart? ISSUE 296 Monty Mouse is trying his hand at fishing – perfect to stitch for angling fans! ISSUE 295 Flossie is wearing her favourite fancy dress outfit – she’s a magical unicorn! ISSUE 294 Stitch Monty practising his keepy-uppy skills for footie-mad boys and girls. For back issues, call ☎ 03330 162 137 or visit http://bit.ly/1NwX3Rv Lizzie is rocking out this month with her fab star-shaped electric guitar, a flamboyant pink wig and glam rock gear. Rock on, Lizzie! This design will be great fun to stitch and a surefire hit with music fans!…
your exclusive gift!
Factbox × Stitching Time Approx. 6 hours × Type of Stitches Cross stitch, backstitch × Ease of Stitching Beginner Packed with cute detail Inside your kit… To help you sort your threads, here’s a list of the threads in your kit: White x2 Lilac x2 Red x2 Brown x2 Light brown x2 Yellow x2 Cream x1 Peach x1 Pink x2 Green x2 Light peach x2 Blue x2 Grey x2 Total: 24 lengths Furry Tales Festival Mouse key STITCH COUNT 39 high x 43 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 7x8cm (2¾x3in) DESIGNED BY Lucie Heaton STITCHED BY Laura Boyter This design was stitched using stranded cotton in your kit…
anne stokes
Tell us a little bit about your home life I’m originally from London but now live in Yorkshire, UK, with my partner John, son Leo and our three dogs. John is also an artist and we have a studio and workshop where we live. Yorkshire is a beautiful part of the country and filled with historical places and rugged landscapes. How did you begin illustrating? I always loved to draw and make things from a very young age. I was an only child and lived quite far away from my school and friends, so it was a hobby I embraced. My father read The Hobbit to me when I was a child and my love of fantasy was born from there. The combination of these two things led on to my career as…
forest magic
The golden sunlight filters through the densely-packed tree canopy, turning silvery and soft as it awakens a still forest clearing, and alights upon the forest maiden and her unicorn. It is a magical moment captured in time by legendary fantasy illustrator Anne Stokes and charted by us so you can recreate the moment for yourself in stitches. This fantastic design is challenging only in size – whole cross stitch, with no fractionals, two French knots and just a little backstitch for a design of this scale. It’s easy to tackle if you work in bite-sized sections and grid your fabric to help count your stitches. For designs that use a lot of shades of stranded cotton, organise the colours you need on a thread sorter before you begin stitching. All you need is…
