The World of Cross Stitching December 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
With the nights getting longer, we’ve stuffed this issue with cheery festive projects to brighten your days. We know you love stitching cards for loved ones at this time of year, so we’ve got two sets for you to enjoy – find Lucie Heaton’s playful dalmatians on page 18 and Heather Nugent’s Christmas bikes on page 58. Rhona Norrie’s cute teddy bear Design Library on page 47 includes 35 joyful motifs that’ll make perfect greetings too. At Christmas, it’s nice to have handmade heirlooms that you bring out and display year after year – something that can be passed down through the generations. This month there are a few projects that would make fantastic annual traditions. Try Mollie Johanson’s Nativity felt board on page 36. Kids will love putting on a…
meet our guests
Be on the panel! × Get a sneak preview× Appear in the magazine× Receive a stitchy gift Chloe Macphail is a student dispensing optician from Reading What’s been your fave cross stitch project? My first project, which was a Christmas tablecloth with Santa on and a sleigh all the way around the edges. It’s the biggest project I’ve done to date – it’ll be used yearly and it’s what started my passion for stitch. What is your idea of cross stitch heaven? Sat in bed with a good audio book on, and working on a Wrendale Designs kit. Fave WOXS design? My favourite design is the Wallace and Gromit one from issue 307 (June 2021). It gave me such a sense of nostalgia. What really drives you mad when you’re cross stitching? The threads getting all caught up drives me crazy.…
furry tales
Bauble Mouse key STITCH COUNT 40 high x 31 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 7.5x5.5cm (2¾x2¼in) This design was stitched using DMC stranded cotton Missed a chart? ISSUE 312 Festive Monty is festooned with holly and wears a big red bow and a Santa hat. ISSUE 311 Celebrate fright night with Flossie dressed in a scary Halloween costume. ISSUE 310 Monty with his blackboard is perfect for kids to stitch as a thank you to teachers. For back issues, call 03330 162 137 or visit http://bit.ly/1NwX3Rv Lizzie Mouse is perched atop a shiny red bauble in this latest festive addition in the Furry Tales series. Decorated with polka dots to match Lizzie’s gorgeous bow, the dec has snowflakes and season’s greetings. Cut out your stitching and back with interfacing to make a tree ornament.…
saint nic’s furry fans
Cat owners everywhere will be familiar with the feline ability to make themselves cosy at the expense of anyone, and those with dogs have experience of loyal pals that never leave their side. We just love that Kate Mawdsley’s jolly illustration really captures each pet personality in this playful stitch and the combination of pets with a Christmas theme is a real crowd pleaser for the coming holiday. In addition to whole cross stitch and backstitch there are a couple of French knots to try your hand at, but don’t worry if you’re not confident enough with these yet because you can always use some seed beads in the same colour instead. We think the finished piece suits a clean white mount and modern frame, but you might like to have a…
your letters
Star Letter A GLOBAL EFFORT I’m writing to share my enthusiasm with you – finally, after four years, I was able to complete the Thomas Kinkade ‘A Holiday Gathering’ pattern (Sew Inspiring*) that my husband gave me for Christmas. This delay is also down to WOXS – I find your published patterns too good to resist! There were several moments of despair, Kinkade’s pattern was extremely complicated, but the satisfaction of seeing the final result is priceless. It is also thanks to the letters of the other stitchers that I found the strength to finish it. So thanks The World of Cross Stitching and thanks to all of the stitchers all over the world! Camilla Maffiuletti, Italy Hannah F: What a heart-warming story, Camilla. You must feel so proud that your stitching perseverance paid…
spot the dog
We don’t know about you, but we can think of 101 reasons to stitch these adorable dalmatians and we can’t wait to get started on the set. We all know from Disney’s classic just how playful these puppies can be and Lucie Heaton’s cuties are bound to steal the show. They’ll surely bring joy to all who see them, so which design will you choose to stitch and send? While one of these characters steals a candy cane, another snaffles around in the bottom of a Christmas stocking and one’s even untying the bow on a gift. These playful pals are big on impact but the charts are actually small and easy to stitch. At no more than 35 by 35 stitches you’ll be able to finish one in a single…
