The World of Cross Stitching April 2021
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
We’re thrilled to welcome back Peter Rabbit as the cover star this month! I know you are fans of the lovable bunny too, so I hope you enjoy stitching this fab spring scene (p10). We’ve got plenty more seasonal patterns to keep you busy – celebrate Easter with Heather Nugent’s fun wreath (p84), enjoy Nia Rhind’s delightful spring sampler (p62) and make handy labels for your indoor plant pots with Jenny van de Wiele’s 12 delicate herb designs (p18). I’m a big fan of William Morris and so I asked Amanda Butler to create a set of charts inspired by the 19th century designer. She’s truly captured the bold repeating patterns William Morris was known for in the stylish dining set on page 56 – sure to impress guests! At the time…
meet our guests
Be on the panel! × Get a sneak preview × Appear in the magazine × Receive a stitchy gift Dawn Paget is an Early Years practitioner from Oxfordshire What is your fave project? My mum bought me ‘Creative Dog’ by Joan Elliott. It says, ‘I’m creative, don’t expect me to be neat too’. What has been your worst stitching disaster? A card for a friend I stitched when I was 13 years old, not long after I became visually impaired. It has taken me years to relearn cross stitching, now I mostly cross stitch by touch rather than by sight. What is your idea of cross stitch heaven? At home with my latest project, rock music playing in the background and a box of chocolates next to me. Fave WOXS design? The advent calendar by Durene Jones from issue 299 (Nov 2020), it…
furry tales
STITCH COUNT 40 high x 38 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 7.5x7cm (2_x2_in) This design was stitched using DMC stranded cotton Missed a chart? ISSUE 304 Stitch Monty Mouse the Medic to say thanks to a key worker for all their care. ISSUE 303 Wearing a rainbow cardigan, Flossie Mouse wants to make sure everyone stays safe. ISSUE 302 Monty Mouse is getting the New Year’s Eve party started with balloons and streamers. For back issues, call ☎ 03330 162 137 or visit http://bit.ly/1NwX3Rv Flossie Mouse turns rollerskater girl in a carefree design that’ll brighten someone’s day. So quick–get your skates on and stitch her before she whizzes away in her trademark brights and multi-coloured polka dots.…
your exclusive gift!
Inside your kit… Here are the colours and number of lengths of thread Yellow x1 Orange x3 Light orange x1 Brown x5 Dark orange x2 Green x2 Antique mauve x2 Light yellow x4 Pink x2 Purple x1 Grey x1 Total: 24 lengths Factbox × Stitching Time Approx. 8 hours × Type of Stitches Cross stitch, backstitch × Ease of Stitching Beginner Whole stitches only TOP TIP Highlight the rows on the chart as you go so you don’t lose your place as you’re stitching MAXIMUM STITCH COUNT 27 high x 35 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 5x6.5cm (2x2_in) STITCHED BY Laura Boyter These designs were stitched using stranded cotton from your coverkit…
once upon a time…
Ah, Peter! If you’ve ever read the classic Beatrix Potter story, you’ll know that this mischievous bunny drove his mother, Mrs Rabbit, to distraction with his antics, but she loved him so very much. It’s a story that will ring true with parents and grandparents to this day, we’re sure! This cross stitch portrait shows Peter looking clean and smart in his signature blue coat and black plimsolls – but with those potted flowers in his hands, we can’t imagine he’s going to stay that way for very long. Stitch this to decorate the bedrooms and nurseries of your own cheeky little ones, or as a treat to remind you of the charm and joy of Beatrix Potter’s timeless stories. We’d love to finish this design as a drawstring bag to…
your letters
Star Letter HERE BE DRAGONS Here is my current WIP. It’s called ‘Kindred Spirits’, from Heaven and Earth Designs. I really like dragons and I fell in love with it when I saw it. I never believed I’d be able to handle and finish such a big project, but I wanted to try. The photo shows you the size, it’s 65x85cm (25_x33_in) and 525 by 679 stitches – incredible! I started to stitch the piece in January 2016 and, at the time the photo was taken, I’d stitched 54 pages out of 81 in 603 days. I’m so happy that I didn’t lose patience or motivation. I often work on other cross stitch projects as well so it’ll probably take another year until it’s finished, but I’m looking forward to the rest…
