CrossStitcher April 2022

Designed by: Susan Penny Stitch count: 45 high x 45 wide Design size: 8x8cm (3 ⅛⁄X3⁄ ⅛in) Stitch time: 8 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Use the end of a pencil to make sure your stuffing fills out each corner of the biscornu properly Make a… biscornu pincushion Step 1 COMPLETE all the stitching for the top of the biscornu working in the centre of an 11.5x11.5cm (4½x4½in) piece of 14 count white aida. Use two strands for the cross stitch and one for the backstitch and French knots. Step 2 USE an 11.5x11.5cm (4½x4½in) piece of green floral fabric for the bottom of the biscornu, onto which you will need to draw a square, exactly the same size as the outer backstitch line on the biscornu top. Carefully measure the length of sides, and…

MANY OF US have come to enjoy gardening even more over the last couple of years. The excitement of seeing seedlings poke through the soil certainly comes a close second to starting a new cross stitch project – in our humble opinion! (Martin isn’t getting his way and having a ‘sewing/sowing’ pun here!) Our cover star presents the best of both worlds. Rebecca Spencer has surrounded a memorable quote from Audrey Hepburn with a beautiful garland of cross stitch flowers. Turn to page 18 to enjoy this spring design. Easter isn’t far away, so we have some fun cards from Durene Jones. Her adventurous rabbits are waiting for you on page 29. We are also proud to present the next addition to our sampler series with Faye Walsh’s spring tribute on page 58.…

Dino-mite designs Hawthorn Handmade have released four fabulous dinosaur cross stitch kits for spring. Take your pick from Triceratops, Diplodocus, Plesiosaur and Pterodactyl – or why not stitch them all to make a magical display for a dino-mad kid’s bedroom? Each kit contains 14 count aida fabric, pre-sorted DMC threads, an 18cm (7in) wooden hoop, needle, illustrated ‘Guide to Cross Stitch’ booklet and chart in both colour and black and white. The designs all measure 16cm in diameter when stitched on 14 count aida. Using simple stitches only, they are all suitable for beginners. For more cute dinosaurs see our alphabet on page 49 and to order these kits visit www.hawthornhandmade.com. JUST MY TYPE HANNAH BASS has launched a new alphabet needlepoint kit range! It’s customisable as you can choose between three background…

“I design and create my cross stitching kits all in my crafting corner. Space is at a premium in my house, so making the most of my corner is really important. It may be small, but I have organised it with lots of drawers so I have everything tidy and to hand. I am a messy crafter, but having my drawers keeps some order when I’m making. I am especially messy with my threads. My favourite tool is my guillotine – it saves so much time when I’m doing things in bulk.” www.craftysmith.com Instagram: @CraftysmithUK Drop us a line to crosssstitcher@warnersgroup.co.uk with images of your craft space and a few words about it and our favourites could be featured in a future issue!…

BUNNIES OUR ADORABLE Easter cards on page 29 will whet your appetite for these beautiful bunny crafting treats… WHO Perfect for stitching newbies, kids will be entertained for hours with this Truly Bunny Cross Stitch Card Kit. They can use the coloured thread and plastic needles to stitch fun patterns onto the pre-punched cards and Easter characters. Each pack makes 12 cards. www.talkingtables.co.uk WHAT This Easter sampler kit features seasonal favourites such as the Easter Bunny and chocolate eggs. The design uses cross stitch, three-quarter stitch, backstitch and French knots and measures 6.7x6.7in once complete. www.melocadesigns.com HOW Tidy up the threads and fabric on your craft desk with this super-cute bunny basket made from rope. It’s stackable and the largest basket size is H25 x W30 x D30cm. Hop to it! www.habitat.co.uk…

Hullo! I don’t know about you, but I love me a picnic on a warm day! Good food, good company, good weather – and the chance to stop and look at the micro world around us. While we’re not large in the grand scheme of the universe, we humans are pretty big creatures, moving around our environment without often considering the smaller critters we share our world with. But have you ever stopped and observed a patch of planet that seemed to be unmoving, only to find it teeming with life? I often find this when I’m in my garden – I might be digging a hole for a plant or watering my veggies, and I see that the flowers have become a bustling bee café or there is an orderly line…