Table of contents for February 2018 in Cross Stitch Crazy

... to the February issue of Crazy! With an amazing 152 charts to choose from, you’re bound to find your perfect match with us this month – whether you’re looking for a stitch that’s quick and easy or a longer project that you can treasure for years to come! Try our cute Bobbin & Stitch design on page 10, or spread the love with thoughtful thank you cards using your free chart book and bonus metallic threads. Romance blossoms on page 28 with Lesley Teare’s stunning willow pattern – I think you’ll love stitching this elegant, detailed scene! Turn to page 54 to meet a beautiful girl awaiting her ballroom date, or if you happen to know a couple who are getting hitched you’ll find some fun Las Vegas-themed gift…

Bobbin wants to give all his love to someone special this Valentine’s Day... but with so much love to give, his box of hearts keeps bursting open! Exclusive to Crazy! Bobbin plans to send his best friend Stitch a box of hearts to show just how much he loves him – but he can’t contain all his love in one box! His handmade hearts are escaping everywhere like confetti, but all Bobbin can do is smile. If you also love someone so much you can’t contain it, stitch this fuzzy cutie for your Valentine this year. Make it into a heart-covered pillow like we did here, or frame it in red to cheer your special someone all year round. After all the hard work you’ll put into this piece, they’re…

Discover a world of entertainment, filled with bright lights, neon signs and the chance to win big at the casino! You’ll love stitching these fun motifs and turning them into party invites, cake toppers, photo album covers and more. These designs look impressive, but are fabulously easy to create in whole stitches and backstitch only. Don’t worry, we won’t tell – after all, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas Need to know Stitch Time 2-8 hours each (approx) Stitch Types Whole cross stitch, backstitch ShoppingList... Threads - Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle - Size 24 tapestry needle Fabric - Zweigart 14-count white aida measuring a maximum of 15x15cm (6x6in) for most designs. To buy, visit www.sewandso.co.uk, or call 0800 013 0150 Extras - All items of…

Quick and easy to stitch one a night! Need to know Stitch Time 4-5 hours each (approx) Stitch Types Whole cross stitch, backstitch ShoppingList... Threads - Stranded cotton and metallic threads as listed in the key Needle - Size 24 tapestry needle Fabric - Zweigart 14-count white aida measuring 15x15cm (6x6in) for each design. To buy, visit www.sewandso.co.uk or call 0800 013 0150 Extras - American Crafts 6x6in Paper Pad – Shimelle Glitter Girl (343658). To buy, visit www.heylittlemagpie.com or call 01925 244 460; 6mm double-sided super sticky tape. To buy, visit www.lakesideneedlecraft.co.uk or call 0333 050 1184; aperture cards of your choice from local stores…

Everyone knows that stationery is a girl’s best friend, and now you can create customised collections for all your pals. These gorgeous stitched boxes will make colourful desk tidies, as well as beautiful gift boxes for presenting jewellery, sweets and other small gifts. Each box is created from a set of six patterned squares that are quick and easy to work up in whole stitches only. If you want, you can make them your own by choosing thread shades you already have hiding in your stash! Once you’ve stitched the squares, turn to page 68 and follow our simple guide to assembling them. Need to know Stitch Time 4 hours per panel (approx) Stitch Types Whole cross stitch ShoppingList... Threads - Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle -…

Camilla Maffiuletti Italy How would you describe your stitching style? My stitching style is like me: tidy, romantic and with a vintage touch! Which project are you most proud of? Obviously, my first project ever! I preserve it with care. It’s a simple tea towel with blue flowers, but the proud look of my mother when I gave it to her was unforgettable! Who is your favourite character to stitch? I adore Fizzy Moon. That little bear is so adorable and fun to stitch! Which occasion gets your needle twitching? All kinds of festivities! I spend many months each year stitching for holidays like Christmas, Easter and Halloween. Which celeb would you most like to stitch? Nigella Lawson! I adore her cookbooks. Monique Telehin Australia Which cross stitch designer would…

CRAZY LOVES! Homeward bound There’s no place like home, and there’s no project quite like this Home Sweet Home Banner kit from Cotton Clara! Stitch the comforting saying on a wooden board, perfectly cut for your stitches. The kit comes with everything you need to make it. To buy online, visit www.cottonclara.etsy.com Making magic Our childhood selves are jumping for joy! We love these pretty (and on-trend) Unicorn Hoops from The Geeky Stitching Company. Choose a rainbow or glitter horn on a grey or white hoop. To buy online, visit www.geekystitchingcompany.co.uk Blackwork garden Leave it Lesley Teare to mix blackwork and cross stitch to stunning effect! The wren in this design thinks so too – he can’t stop gazing at the intricate patterns in the flower above him! If you’re…

Send us a postcard, drop us a text or enter online for a chance to win great prizes! OVER £1,104 OF PRIZES TO BE WON! 10 PRIZES worth £275 Bothy Threads kits! This cute baby ape sharing a cuddle with his mum is so sweet! We have 10 of Hannah Dale’s brand new Love Is kits to give away, worth £27.49 each. For more, go to www.bothythreads.com. To enter, text CSC238LOVE, your name, postal address and email address to 87474 (texts will be charged at 50p plus your standard network rate) or label your postcard ‘Hannah Dale Love Is 238 giveaway’. 10 PRIZES worth £308 Pilot erasable pens! Keep all your projects on track and error-free with Pilot’s FriXion Colors felt-tip pens and FriXion Ball, a rollerball pen with attached…

There’s nothing more vibrant than 70s fashion and we’re channelling the grooviest prints of the decade with our retro alphabet. Eye-popping colours, strong psychedelic shapes and big, bold fonts are what this trend is all about, making it easy to stitch up some serious fun! Combine your alphabet with vintage domestic-style makes to capture the look in homewares. We love the handy carrier bag dispenser that we’ve created here, but you could also try making a peg bag, tea cosy, or remote control holder for funky housewarming gifts. You can chill while you stitch this alphabet as it’s worked mainly in whole stitches with a smattering of fractionals to help with the shaping, while a simple backstitch line is used to outline each letter and add some detail. You can…

Meaningful for mum My mum was a nurse for over 40 years. When she passed her nursing exams, she was given a beautiful enamel nursing badge, which she treasured all her working life. Unfortunately, mum developed Alzheimer’s a couple of years ago, and eventually had to go into a home. During the emotional and hectic move, the badge was lost. After hunting for ages, I found a picture of it on the web and stitched her a replacement. It turned out ok. It’s now hanging on the wall in her room. As a result of her illness, she now believes it’s the original badge she was awarded in 1962. While it’s a tad sad, it’s also a comfort for her, a reference point of her past, and this gives me…

Set sail for a stitching adventure with swashbuckling designs that are sure to grab children’s attention. With a super cute, mischievous pirate duo, a treasure chest and a galleon to choose from, you’ve got everything you need to create a whole crew of party decorations. Worked in whole stitches and backstitch only, these designs are simple enough for kids to stitch themselves. Turn them into fun invitations, cake toppers and party bags for your own little pirates to carry home their plunder in style! Need to know Stitch Time 4-6 hours each Stitch Types Whole cross stitch, backstitch ShoppingList... Threads - Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle - Size 24 tapestry needle Fabric - Zweigart 14-count white aida measuring 15x15cm (6x6in) for each design. To buy, visit www.sewandso.co.uk…

One of the greatest all-around entertainers of her generation, Victoria Wood endlessly charmed the British public with sitcoms like Acorn Antiques and Dinnerladies, award-winning stand-up shows, hilarious songs and society-skewering sketch comedies. Her observational humour and unpretentious style earned her a loyal league of fans from all walks of life – pay tribute to the great performer with this smiley, stitchy portrait! Reader’s pick! Requested by ALISON KENT Who would you like to see as a Crazy Celeb stitch? It might be your favourite actor, a Hollywood icon or even a sporting great! Email your requests to celebstitch@cross-stitching.com or post them to: Celeb stitch, Cross Stitch Crazy, 2nd Floor, Tower House, Fairfax Street, Bristol BS1 3BN. If the celebrity you request is picked to appear in a future issue of…

Add something stitchy to your china cabinet with a charming vista that would look right at home on a delicate porcelain plate! Inspired by Blue Willow patterns, this peaceful hoop captures the swirling organic lines, ornate buildings and subtle blue tones of the iconic English painted ceramics of the 18th century. Use whole stitches, fractionals and backstitch to create all the exquisite details, from the small figures on the bridge to the elegant pagoda towers. It’s pure tranquility at its best! Need to know Stitch Time 30 hours (approx) Stitch Types Whole cross stitch, fractionals, backstitch ShoppingList... Threads - Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle - Size 24 tapestry needle Fabric - Zweigart 14-count white aida measuring 36x36cm (14_x14_in). To buy, visit www.sewandso.co.uk or call 0800 013 0150…

Calligraphy-style lettering is a huge trend right now, and the perfect way to let your special someone know exactly how you feel! These ornate postcard designs feature romantic sayings surrounded by fanciful flourishes, hearts and arrows that provide the perfect frame. A pretty, feminine colour scheme of pink, red and cream adds a traditional twist to these modern designs, but you could also stitch them in your own choice of gradient shades and dedicate them to your best friends and fave family members! Need to know Stitch Time 3-6 hours each (approx) Stitch Types Whole cross stitch, backstitch ShoppingList... Threads - Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle - Size 24 tapestry needle Fabric - Zweigart 14-count white aida measuring 20x15cm (7¾x6in) for cards and 12x10cm (4¾x4in) for tags.…

We all have that one fantasy dress that we’d love the chance to wear, and now you can bring it to life in stitches! This eye-catching dress has double the wow-factor – the subtle shading gives it glimmer and swish, but take a closer look and you’ll see that it’s packed with backstitch texture and glamour-inducing detail. We stitched our design onto black aida and added florals and flourishes to create an evening feel. The end result is well worth the fractionals and French knots – you’ll want to keep this one on the wall long past midnight! Need to know Stitch Time 65 hours (approx) Stitch Types Whole cross stitch, fractionals, backstitch, French knots ShoppingList... Threads - Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle - Size 24 tapestry…

Understanding charts and keys Follow the steps below for an introduction to getting started, then use the simple instructions opposite to learn each stitch! Reading the chart Our charts are printed with coloured squares containing a symbol that represents squares to be stitched on the fabric. The key alongside the chart will tell you what colour thread each symbol corresponds to, so you know which one to thread your needle with (see right). Where to start The centre of our cross stitch charts is marked out using small arrows on the edge of each side of the chart. This is the best place to start stitching, so you end up with the design in the middle of the fabric. To find the centre of your fabric, fold it in half…