Table of contents for October 2019 in Cross Stitch Crazy

Katie Kegie Art Editor This month… “I love cats, so I’m going to stitch all the cute black cat cards on page 62” Lou Smith Production Editor This month… “I’ll be using the food alphabet on page 49 to decorate my notebook” Emily Godwin Designer This month… “There’s a really adorable hedgehog in the Challenge Lucie section on page 68!” Fiona Baker Technical Editor This month… “My friend’s son will love Heather’s magical potion labels on page 72” Heather Nugent Charting Editor This month… “My Halloween decorations will look so festive next to the amazing hoops on page 42” Hannah Erskine Charting Assistant This month… “I won’t be able to resist stitching the Belle & Boo design on page 10!” Cantact crazy www.facebook.com/crossstitchcrazy www.twitter.com/crazy_magazine www.cross-stitching.com ☎Editorial team 0117 300 8788…

This little penguin is as excited for Christmas as we are! Dressed in his best woolly scarf, he’s busy belting out all his favourite holiday tunes to anyone who will listen. Help him spread a little joy this carolling season with your exclusive Crazy kit, which comes complete with threads, aida, a needle, an illustrated aperture card and an envelope. That’s everything you need to stitch up this charming scene and send a special greeting to someone today! To turn your finished stitch into a card, simply trim the aida to fit inside the card provided, then use acid-free double-sided sticky tape to secure your work in place. If you like, back your stitching with white paper, then fold the card over and use a bit of tape to fix…

From professional wrestler to movie star, Dwayne Johnson’s star-studded career has gone from strength to strength ever since he first asked us if we could smell what The Rock was cooking! Many of us fondly remember his days with the WWE, but nowadays he’s better known for bobbing and weaving through the jungles of Jumanji or riding the waves as the voice of Maui in Disney’s Moana. And when he’s not busy starring in action-packed blockbusters or chart-topping comedies, you’ll find him working to support charities such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Celebrate his inspiring career as you stitch him today! Dwayne Johnson Cross stitch in two strands Stitch count 99 (h) x 68 (w) Design area on 14-count fabric 18x12.5cm (7x4¾in) Reader’s pick! Requested by ADAM THEAKER Who would you…

Violin Cross stitch in two strands Backstitch in one strand Stitch count 35 (h) x 35 (w) Design area 14-count fabric 6.5x6.5cm (2½x2½in) Grand piano Cross stitch in two strands Backstitch in one strand Stitch count 35 (h) x 35 (w) Design area 14-count fabric 6.5x6.5cm (2½x2½in) Drums Cross stitch in two strands Backstitch in one strand Stitch count 35 (h) x 35 (w) Design area 14-count fabric 6.5x6.5cm (2½x2½in) French horn Cross stitch in two strands Backstitch in one strand Stitch count 35 (h) x 35 (w) Design area 14-count fabric 6.5x6.5cm (2½x2½in) Cello Cross stitch in two strands Backstitch in one strand Stitch count 35 (h) x 35 (w) Design area 14-count fabric 6.5x6.5cm (2½x2½in) Electric guitar Cross stitch in two strands Backstitch in one strand Stitch count…

Fright night is almost upon us, so it’s time to stitch something spook-tastic! Whether you’re planning a night in watching scary movies or a costume party with your friends, you’ll want to use these haunted hoops to celebrate all the fun of Halloween! Stitch the whole set to decorate your home for the season, or turn individual motifs into quick-to-stitch hanging ornaments to hand out as non-sugary treats for trick-or-treaters. How sweet! Lou Says… Halloween is one of my favourite holidays! It also happens to be on my brother’s birthday, so I’ll be stitching him one of these hoops – probably the one with the purple-haired witch, as he loves black cats. Lou Smith, Production Editor, Cross Stitch Crazy Halloween hoops Cross stitch in two strands Stitch count 70 (h)…

1 Prewash the fabric you’re stitching on to keep it from warping during later washes and distorting your stitching. 2 If you’re stitching onto clothes, check all your threads are colourfast by washing short lengths before you start stitching – especially if stitching with red shades. 3 Take your time to get the waste canvas straight before you tack it onto your fabric – this will ensure your finished stitch looks straight. 4 Cut away large, unstitched sections of canvas and then use a pair of tweezers to carefully pull out the remaining strands of canvas that are left under your stitched design. 5 Make sure you keep an even tension that’s a bit looser than normal when working with waste canvas. The looser tension will help when removing the…

Issue 258 – September Discover wild birds from around the world, go on an adventure with steampunk animals and get ready for school with fun motifs. Plus, learn how to make a clever two-hoop wreath and meet Makiko’s adorable baking buddies! YOUR GIFT Stylish luggage tag kit by Emma Congdon Issue 257 – August Julia Rigby exclusive YOUR GIFT 15 storytime character bookmark charts Issue 256 – July Tatty Teddy exclusive YOUR GIFT Butterfly hoop kit by Cheryl McKinnon Issue 255 – June Lee Holland exclusive YOUR GIFT Boat aperture card kit by Durene Jones Issue 254 – May Belle & Boo exclusive YOUR GIFT 2-in-1 mice card kit by Helz Cuppleditch Issue 253 – April Imogen Hudson exclusive YOUR GIFT Cute teddy bear gift tag kit with eight designs…

Raise screams of joy and squeals of delight when you stitch these frightfully adorable designs to decorate your home for Halloween this year Devilish design £3.65, A Wee Bit Wicked by Magic Mau’s Menagerie www.magicmausmenagerie.etsy.com This stylish stitch is a simple project for confident beginners, worked in just two shades of thread. Stitched on 14-count aida, it will measure 20x16cm (8x6½in). Scarily cute £4.93, Trick or Treat by AnnaXStitch www.annaxstitch.etsy.com Filled with all things spooky, this fright night scene would look utterly eerie in your window on 31st October. Bring this witch’s cat and her pals to life in whole stitches and backstitch, and use 14-count aida to display your finish in a 7in hoop. Fright night fun £4.98, Ghost by Sewingseed www.sewingseed.etsy.com Give someone a fright this Halloween with…

AFGHAN – a woollen blanket or rug with areas for cross stitching AIDA – the most common cross stitching fabric, made up of thread woven in blocks rather than singly AIDA BAND – a thin strip of aida with a decorative edge, used to adorn towels, bookmarks, etc. Comes in various widths APERTURE – the space through which a design is shown (mainly on cards and in frames) BEADING NEEDLE – a long, fine needle that slides easily through seed and bugle beads DESIGN AREA – the measurement of the finished design, depending on the count of fabric used EVENWEAVE – fabric made from evenly-spaced woven threads. It’s softer and more flexible than aida FABRIC COUNT – the number of holes per inch (HPI) on your fabric. The higher the…

Welcome… to Crazy’s October issue! I often find myself drawn to magical themes in my stitching, whether it’s pretty fairies or spooky ghosts like the ones in Emma Congdon’s fun Halloween hoops on page 42. But this year, I’m trying to also use stitching to appreciate everyday occurrences that are, in their own way, magical. For instance, our dreams – no one knows why we dream, but our night-time fancies can be so vivid that they seem almost real. I’ll be recording mine in the gorgeous dream journal on page 56. And music – it’s a mystery why humans evolved to love harmonies and rhythms, yet our lives are richer for it. Let’s celebrate that with the instrument cards on page 37! And finally, our sense of taste – I’m…

Whether you’ve long been a fan of the folk art-inspired kitchenware of years gone by or are just now discovering the joys of pretty retro pots, jugs and more, this 1970s-themed kitchen set is sure to fulfil your flower-power needs. From smaller motifs – perfect for mug cosies and labels – to brilliant signs and borders, this vibrant set is bursting with fun 70s style that’s sure to get you feeling groovy Retro 70s kitchen Cross stitch in two strands Max stitch count 41 (h) x 74 (w) Design area on 14-count fabric 7.5x13.5cm (3x5¼in) Stitched by Judy Davies Need to know Stitch Time 2-6 hours each (approx) Stitch Types Whole cross stitch, fractionals, backstitch Shopping List… Threads - Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle - Size 24…

Love is in the air – and in our stitching! We love weddings here at Crazy, so we want to help you get ready for the next big day in your calendar. Each of these romantic designs uses mostly whole stitches and backstitch, making them easy to finish quickly. Give the happy couple the whole set as a lovely coordinating wedding sampler, card and tag, or stitch just one design if you’re short on time. You can even switch up the colours to personalise your stitches for the newlyweds! Bird wedding set Cross stitch in two strands Max stitch count 73 (h) x 55 (w) Design area on 14-count fabric 13x10cm (5¼x4in) Stitched by Pat Cook Katie Says… I love stitches that feature birds, so these projects are just up…

Far-flung friends These are the cards that I made for my 11 pen pals. I used Emma Congdon’s design from issue 242. It took me four months to complete all 11 as I kept pausing to do other stitches. I sometimes got bored of stitching the same one over and over, but now they’re all done and starting to arrive with my pen pals! Two have received them so far and they love them. I met one of the girls when I worked a summer season with a holiday company and the other 10 were people that I regularly talked to on Instagram so I suggested we started writing letters. I’ve actually arranged to meet one of the girls next Thursday – I’m excited about that! Beth Chown, Middleton St…

Dear stitcher The World of Cross Stitching magazine is Britain’s No.1 cross stitching magazine to inspire every stitcher, whatever your level of experience. We have all the inspiration and best practical advice for you to indulge in your passion – not to mention fab stitchy gifts and over 80 new patterns in every issue! Plus, we have a great website and vibrant social media pages, full of fellow stitchers to share all your stories with. So subscribe today and try three issues for just £5. Don’t miss out! when you subscribe to The World of Cross Stitching Great reasons to subscribe: First 3 issues for only £5* FREE UK home delivery – never miss an issue Fab cross stitch gift with every issue SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM Yes! I’d like to subscribe…

Cross Stitch Crazy Tell us what you think… We’re inviting all our readers to take part in our first-ever reader survey! We’d love to hear what you think of Crazy and about the role stitching plays in your life. Your answers will help us make Crazy the best cross stitch magazine it can be! To thank you for your time and input, UK residents who take part will have the opportunity to enter a prize draw* for a chance to win a £250 John Lewis gift card. The survey will be available online until 11.59pm on Monday 26th August 2019. To take part, simply visit www.cross-stitching.com/survey *T&Cs apply. Full details can be found on the survey introductory page.…

Throw a party and invite the neighbourhood using these fab cards! These spook-tacular cats are excited for a night of trick-or-treating fun. Help them get ready when you stitch them in whole stitches, with just a hint of backstitch for their smiles. Once they’re dressed in their not-so-scary costumes, turn them into cute cards to send ghoulish greetings. Or, use the small motifs to stitch clever labels for sweet bags to hand out on the night. You’re sure to have a frightfully fun time with these scaredy cats! Reader Says… These cards are purr-fect for me because I adopted a little black cat recently – she’s called Pecina. And, I always enjoy celebrating Halloween and decorating my home for it! Veronica Paratico, Italy Halloween cats Cross stitch in two strands…

These wondrous labels are a fun way to turn an old jar or bottle into magical storage for a little one’s room. Teens will love accessorising their shelves with fairy lights tucked inside bottles, and younger children will adore collecting all manner of treasures for their dens – for example, they could spend an afternoon making sparkly slime and then display it in a jar labelled ‘Moonlight’! And, with mostly whole stitches, kids of all ages will love stitching these labels – just lend a hand when they add in the backstitch! Hannah Says… I fell in love with these labels when Heather first showed us her sketches. I think they would make fab labels for our craft drawers – they would make our supplies seem even more mystical to…

Jennifer Cunliffe Carmarthenshire Which cross stitch designer would be your dream dinner party guest? Faby Reilly. I admire her designs and I’ve almost finished my first evenweave project using one of her charts. I’d like to thank her for helping me to make progress with my stitching. Which project are you most proud of? My family bought me a map of Wales to stitch when I moved there. It’s my biggest stitch and was the first thing I hung up in my new home! Who do you most like to stitch for? My family and friends. It’s such a joy to give someone you care about a gift that you’ve put lots of time and thought into. How cross stitch crazy are you? Very! My partner finds threads everywhere, even…

Star letter Golden jubilee I made this for my brother and his wife last year, when they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. The cup and saucer were presents our grandparents received for their 50th. I combined some stitching with the heirloom pieces and had it all professionally framed in a shadow box. Our grandparents were from Hull originally, so that’s a direct British connection for you! Christine Beelen, Canada Alison says: This type of gift is just my cup of tea – if you’ll pardon the pun! You’ve done such a wonderful job combining your stitching with a family heirloom, Christine. And I recognise that design! It’s from issue 245 – our own Fiona Baker designed it as part of a series of Celtic cards. I love how royal you’ve…

Highlight of the day Mark off your charts while on the go with one of these handy highlighter packs! Each bright set includes five pens in blue, yellow, green, orange and pink. They click into place inside the case – which also comes in white, pink or blue – so you don’t have to worry about them falling out! Pick up a pack from £9.77. International shipping costs may apply. To buy, visit www.chelseabuns.ca Hanging out Lazing on his favourite branch, this laid-back fellow stars in one of the latest bright and beautiful kits from The Karen Carter Collection at Heritage Crafts. Sloth is a fun-to-stitch design filled with easy whole stitches and lots of backstitch for the details and outlines. Pick up your kit for £20.85 and find all…

JUST £12.99 incl. UK P&P What's inside your complete cross stitch kit: Full-size chart & key 45 thread skeins (4m) – including silver & gold! 14-count aida & needle BONUS mini card kit & chart Stitch count 159 high x 110 wide • Design area 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) 29x20cm (11¼x7¾in) • Frame not included On sale 5th Sept 2019. Pre-order your kit today! ORDER ONLINE www.buysubscriptions.com/christmassherrykit or CALL 03330 162 138 and quote ‘Margaret Sherry Christmas Kit Print 1’ *UK calls will cost the same as other standard fixed line numbers (starting 01 or 02) and are included as part of any inclusive or free minutes allowances (if offered by your phone tariff). Outside of free call packages call charges from mobile phones will cost between 3p and 55p…

“I stitched an Egyptian sampler for my son. He was 14 years old when I started and it was finally framed and put in his bedroom last year, when he was 28 years old. He couldn’t believe that I’d actually finished it!” Debbie Hatton, Manchester “Over two years! It was a large project to give to my friend for her birthday, but I fell pregnant about halfway through and it was difficult to do with a newborn around. I finally finished it and gave it to her two years later.” Mary-Louise Flood, Southampton “I spent two years stitching my parents’ golden wedding anniversary sampler while working full time as well. I finished it in time for the big day though, and they loved it.” Julie-ann Dixon, Tyne and Wear Coming…

Get your five-a-day the stitcher’s way with this food-filled collection of letters and numbers! Whether you love veggies, enjoy a sizzling steak or like to indulge in a sweet treat or two, you’re sure to find a favourite in this tantalising set. Using whole stitches only, each of these charts are quick and easy to stitch, making them top choices for speedy cards and gift tags. And thanks to the variety of foods represented in this set, we think these stitches will be a big hit with foodies of all ages! Try using the alphabet to create personalised nameplates for your next get-together – you can let your guests take them away as party favours. Just be sure to leave a three-or-four-stitch gap between each letter to create even spacing.…

Let your imagination run free with this mystical stitch. From its twinkling stars to its elegant floral motifs, this gorgeous journal makes for a fun challenge for all stitching levels. Before you begin, if you want to turn your stitching into a journal cover, wrap your aida around your chosen notebook and mark the position of your stitching area. Then, after stitching, finish your project using the instructions on page 60. Or, if you’re looking for a quicker make, try picking out a few aspects of the design for cards, little gifts and more. It’s the project of your dreams! Reader Says… I absolutely love the dream journal! I have quite vivid dreams, so it would be fun to have somewhere to jot them down when I wake up. I…

Christmas stitching couldn’t be easier with this bumper set of stitching goodies, worth a whopping £25! Plus, you get a magazine bursting with festive charts, all for just £9.99. Stitch gorgeous Christmas cards, gifts and home decorations with these seasonal charts. There are fantastic projects for stitchers of all abilities, so you’ll find just the right thing to make! You’ll get all this: Over 100m quality stranded cotton 28x28cm of 14-count aida 1 size 24 tapestry needle 3 shaped felt frames for decorations 3 luxury ribbons 6 bells and bows embellishments 30 sequins 3 plain cards & 3 aperture cards with 6 matching envelopes Giant fold-out chart PLUS a re-usable project wallet! Star t stitching Christmas goodies with your gift pack today! PRE_ORDER YOUR COPY NOW! CALL 03330 162 138 and…

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 symbols that represent 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 centres of our cross stitch charts are marked out using small arrows on the edge of each side of a 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 horizontally,…