Tabla de contenidos para January 2019 en Cross Stitch Gold

Meet the designer Jenny Barton Jenny has been passionate about the creative arts since she was a small child, and went on to study graphic design at university. Soon after, she landed a job as a needlework designer for DMC Creative World, and became a freelance designer a couple of years later. She loves being able to work with cross stitch every day! “Kittens will spend hours chasing insects in the garden, as any cat owner will know! I hope you’ll enjoy stitching this little cutie amid the flowers.” Stitcher’s guide This design is worked on 28-count white evenweave over two threads of the fabric using 28 shades of cotton. Cross stitch is in one or two strands of cotton. Half cross stitch for the sky is worked in two…

Meet the designer Maria Diaz Maria has always had a passion for needlecraft, since learning to sew as a child on her great-grandmother’s ancient foot-treadled Singer machine. After art college she landed a job as a printer which led to her becoming DMC’s first in-house designer. She is now an independent designer and lives in the Midlands with her two sons, Lincoln and Hudson. “With a huge garden to explore and an excitable puppy leading the way, these children are bound to have lots of fun adventures!” Stitcher’s guide This design is worked on 28-count white evenweave over two threads of the fabric in 42 shades of cotton. Cross stitch is in two strands of cotton, and there are also fractional stitches to add detail to the facial features. Backstitch…

GOLD STAR BUY Share your skill If there’s one thing that’s even better than stitching, it’s sharing your hobby with others. And teaching the younger generation is an especially satisfying way to pass on the stitching bug! The new StitchPop range is a perfect starting point. These bright, fun kits (Party Dog, Party Cat and Party Rabbit), designed by Sophie Simpson, contain everything you need to ignite a passion for needlework in youngsters. Aimed at children aged eight and over, they cover five different embroidery stitches, including cross stitch. Available from www.cloudcraft.co.uk, the kits cost £14.50 each Welcome spring with a gorgeous landscape BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL Are the dark winter days getting you down? If so, a cheerful cross stitch design is just what you need to help brighten your…

Sealed with a kiss ROMANTIC COUPLE NO 2, Yiota’s XStitch, £96.15 What’s in the kit Black and white chart 28-count white evenweave Stranded cotton Tapestry needle Size of finished design 55x82cm (21½x32¼in) Stitching this kit Feel the giddy elation of love’s kiss with this stunning work of art! Worked in 39 colours, the design is sizeable at 55x82cm (21½x32¼in), however, only whole cross stitches are used, so it’s achievable for most intermediate and advanced stitchers. Many will enjoy the luxury of no fractionals and no backstitch! Where to buy Visit www.etsy.com/shop/YiotasXStitch Labour of love PINE NORDIC HEART, Margot de Paris, £34.95 What’s in the kit Black and white chart 18-count pine-effect aida Stranded cotton Tapestry needle Size of finished design 25x25cm (10x10in) Stitching this kit We’ve all seen special-effect fabrics…

Graveyard shift Halloween is one of my favourite holidays to cross stitch for, and this year I made myself some funny tombstones from The Prairie Schooler. I love their designs in general, but just can’t resist their Halloween ones. I wanted to create something 3D to display on my desk, and that’s how my small graveyard was built. I know it might seem creepy to some, but I enjoyed working on it so much and it makes me laugh each time I look at it! It also reminds me of my grandmother who, when I was small, used to take me for walks in graveyards as she enjoyed the peace and quiet. Anna Szwedzinska, The Netherlands Zeena: These are fantastic, Anna – I love a good Halloween design, too. I’m…

Dear reader, If you love to get a good deal on all your stitching essentials, then look no further than this fantastic offer. Save a whopping 50% on the shop price of Cross Stitch Gold and pay just £26.95 for 9 issues! Don’t miss out on this great saving – treat yourself today, or delight a fellow stitcher with a gift subscription. Zeena, Editor, Cross Stitch Gold In every issue of Gold: 8 large designs in every issue The world’s best designers Expert stitching advice and tips…

Meet the designer Fiona Baker Fiona has always had a passion for art and design from an early age, and loves the creativity in her role as Technical Editor for Cross Stitch Gold, as well as our sister magazines, Cross Stitch Crazy and The World of Cross Stitching. “Delicate pink fabric really enhances the romantic feel of this design, which could be stitched for February 14th or personalised with lettering for an anniversary if you like.” Stitcher’s guide This design is worked on 28-count baby pink cashel linen over two threads of the fabric, in 23 different shades of cotton. Cross stitch is in two strands of cotton, and there are plenty of fractional stitches for extra detail. The backstitch definition is in both one and two strands of cotton.…

Meet the designer Durene Jones Prolific designer Durene Jones creates cross stitch charts for a range of stitching magazines. Her work is well loved for its modern and colourful tone, but she is a versatile designer and can turn her hand to any theme. “I adore any cross stitch design that celebrates the garden and its wonderful wildlife. This bee hanging has a bright, sunny feel, just perfect for the kitchen – or even a garden shed!” Stitcher’s guide This design is worked on 14-count cream aida in just 12 shades of cotton. Cross stitch is in two strands of cotton, and backstitch is added in both one and two strands. With whole stitches only, this project can easily be tackled by intermediate stitchers. How to stitch the design 1…

UK STOCKISTS COATS CRAFTS UK For stockists, visit www.makeitcoats.com CRAFT CREATIONS Visit www.craftcreations.com Call 01992 781900 DMC CREATIVE WORLD For stockists, visit www.dmc.com Call 01924 231669 LAKESIDE NEEDLECRAFT Visit www.lakesideneedlecraft.co.uk Call 0333 0501184 MADEIRA For stockists, visit www.eqsuk.com Call 0116 2710033 MILL HILL For stockists, visit www.hantex.co.uk/millhill Call 011754 820800 SEW AND SO Visit www.sewandso.co.uk Call 0800 0130150 SEW IT ALL Visit www.sewitall.com Call 01280 821777 US STOCKISTS 123 STITCH Visit www.123stitch.com Call 1-800-996-1230 ABC STITCH THERAPY Visit www.abcstitch.com Call 1-281-205-7507 ARTS CRAFTS USA Visit www.artscraftsusa.com Call 1-866-621-7779 JULIE’S X STITCH Visit www.juliesxstitch.com…

TECHNICAL EDITOR How to read our charts All our charts are printed in both colour and symbols. Each square on a cross stitch chart contains a symbol, and each symbol corresponds with one stitch. The key tells you what thread colour each symbol corresponds to, and how many strands to use for each cross stitch, backstitch or French knot. It also gives you the design's dimensions, to help you cut your fabric to size. The thread numbers listed in the first column of the key refer to the brand that we've used to stitch the design. Conversions for two other brands are given, but they're not always exact equivalents. Avoid mixing more than one brand in the same design. Sometimes you'll need more than one skein of a certain colour,…

Meet the designer Carol Thornton Watercolour artist Carol sketches and paints her gorgeous works of art before turning them into cross stitch designs. She creates charts for various magazines and has attracted legions of fans who love her distinctive style of artwork, which translates beautifully into cross stitch. “After a cold winter, what could be better that a garden full of rainbow-coloured tulips, growing tall? They’re one of my favourite flowers.” Stitcher’s guide This design is worked on 14-count white aida in 29 shades of cotton. The cross stitch is worked in two strands of cotton, and there are plently of fractionals throughout the piece, too. Backstitch is in one strand of cotton, as are the French knots for the butterflies. This densely stitched project is best suited to experienced…

Meet the designer Lesley Teare Lesley is an experienced cross stitch designer with a degree in Printed and Woven Textiles, and many years of design experience. She creates designs for a wide range of stitching magazines, and has a range of cross stitch books to her name, too. Lesley lives and works in rural Suffolk, where she enjoys gardening and country walks with her labrador. “You often see this striking bird in wintry or Christmassy scenes, but I love this springtime twist, and the contrast of red and pink. So pretty.” Stitcher’s guide This design is worked on 28-count grey evenweave over two threads of the fabric in 21 shades of cotton. Cross stitch is in two strands of cotton, and a small amount of backstitch is added to the…

THE EXPERTS JO BENNER Jo is an experienced stitcher and knitter, who writes for several craft magazines. She’s on hand to help with chart queries and stitching know-how, as well as product questions. FIONA BAKER Fiona is the Technical Editor for Cross Stitch Gold and our sister magazines. She is a talented cross stitch designer, too, and can answer any of your stitching queries. HEATHER NUGENT Heather is the Charting Editor for Cross Stitch Gold and our sister magazines. With a passion for stitching and sewing, she is here to help with charting and making-up questions. Gin and cross stitch! Q Are there any cross stitch kits mentioning gin? It’s my favourite tipple and I would love to stitch something personal to me! Rhona Hardiman, Guisborough A Jo: There are…

Meet the designer Amanda Gregory Based in the West Country, Amanda is a talented watercolour artist, cross stitch designer and dressmaker. Her work is suffused with gorgeous colour combinations and a great sense of detail, and her beautiful designs regularly appear in a range of popular cross stitching magazines. “This cream linen has a textured appearance, similar to watercolour paper, so it’s the ideal background for my watercolour design.” Stitcher’s guide This design is worked on 28-count cream linen over two threads of the fabric in 16 shades of cotton. Cross stitch is in two strands of cotton, and there are also fractional stitches throughout the design. Half cross stitch adds subtle background detail in two strands of thread, while backstitch in one strand of cotton defines the flowers and…

Meet the designer Lesley Teare Lesley is an experienced cross stitch designer with a degree in Printed and Woven Textiles, and many years of design experience. She creates designs for a wide range of stitching magazines, and has a range of cross stitch books to her name, too. Lesley lives and works in rural Suffolk, where she enjoys gardening and country walks with her labrador. “These cards won’t take long to finish in between larger projects, and can easily be done in time for Valentine’s Day!” Stitcher’s guide These designs are worked on 28-count white evenweave over two threads of the fabric in eight shades of cotton. Cross stitch is in two strands of cotton and the backstitch and French knots are both worked in one strand. These lovely cards…