Table of contents for March 2017 in Cross Stitch Gold

With summer round the corner, are you in the mood for exotic, warmer climes? If so, we have just the issue for you this month, packed full of projects with a tropical, holiday feel to help indulge your summery, sun-seeking frame of mind. Take a look at our gorgeous Moroccan-inspired pouffe on page 44 for a taste of the bustling, spicy souk. We have a vibrant, azure underwater scene of haphazard-swimming tropical fish (p12). And of course, there is our folky, Mediterranean cover star – the beautiful Italian woman perched on a vine-clad windowsill by Lesley Teare (p4). Elsewhere, we have Lucie Heaton’s adorable mice-themed wedding cards (p60), a poised, ruby-haired mermaid by Shannon Wasilieff (p20) and a lovely gardening sampler courtesy of Amanda Gregory over on page 28. So,…

Get in touch ! Email: zeena@cross-stitching.com Write to: Zeena Moolla, Cross Stitch Gold magazine, 2nd Floor, Tower House, Fairfax Street, Bristol BS1 3BN Join us at: facebook.com/crossstitchgold Tweet us: @CrossStitchGold WRITE TO WIN! The star letter writer in this issue will receive a gorgeous Love Flamingo kit by Kim Anderson for Bothy Threads, worth £27.49. You can buy this kit from www.bothythreads.com  or call 01900 828844. All other letter writers will receive a mystery prize. GOLD STAR LETTER Fab flamenco! I thought I’d send a picture of my finished item from your magazine. I used to stitch many moons ago and thought I’d have a go again. I must admit it was challenging, to say the least! I had to adapt the backstitch a little…

Get it bright! The bright orange thread shades (DMC 970 and 741) help to tie different elements of the design together to create a cohesive final effect. These ‘pops’ of bright colour used on the watering can, the carrots and the pansy seed packet border really help to bring this mood board to life. The write stuff I’ve added a little bit of wording to create a ‘gardeners’ list’ in the centre of this design. It’s just backstitch and is easy to do, but take extra care to keep your stitches neat and taut to achieve clear lettering for this part of the design. The same goes for the seed packets and plant markers, too!…

Making eyelets… Place your sequins so they will sit under your round eyelet stitches. To make an eyelet, follow the arms of the stitch on the chart, working from outside in, pulling your thread firmly and gently. Continue to work in a clockwise direction until complete, then attach a seed bead in the centre. If you don’t wish to add a sequin underneath, you could stitch the circular shape, as indicated on the chart, instead. Changing colours We’ve given you the key for the blue bag, but you can make your clutch to coordinate with any outfit! It’s a great opportunity to get creative and exchange the colours to match anything at all! You could opt for pink or oranges like our other examples, or pick a whole new colour…

UK stockists CHARLES CRAFT For stockists, visit www.dmccreative.co.uk Call 0116 2754000 COATS CRAFTS UK For stockists, visit www.makeitcoats.com Call 01484 681881 CRAFT CREATIONS Visit www.craftcreations.com Call 01992 781900 JOSY ROSE Visit www.josyrose.com Call 0203 617 0519 DMC CREATIVE WORLD For stockists, visit www.dmccreative.co.uk Call 0116 2754000 MADEIRA For stockists, visit www.eqsuk.com Call 0116 2710033 SEW AND SO Visit www.sewandso.co.uk Call 0800 0130150 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…

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 that accompanies the chart 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 – you'll need these to 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. Conversion numbers 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…

Into the blue The use of blue fabric in this design is an easy way to create the effect of the sea without having to work a single stitch! This sky blue shade of evenweave from Zweigart contrasts beautifully with the thread colours in the design. Fine features I’ve used fractional stitches and a little backstitch to make sure the mermaid’s facial features are as delicate as possible. Take your time with the placement of these stitches so that her expression comes out just right.…

THE EXPERTS JO BENNER Jo is an experienced stitcher and crafter, who writes for several cross stitch magazines. She can 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. SARAH TREVOR Sarah has worked on cross stitching and craft magazines for over six years. She’s an avid stitcher, and is ready and raring to help you with any of your craft or cross stitch dilemmas. BOOK LOVER Q My friend in the US is book crazy and also loves her cross stitch. She adores classic English literature and I often pick up vintage books to send…

Mind your backstitch Five shades of stranded cotton are used for backstitch detail, which offers a subtlety to the outlines. Tackle one colour at a time, and don’t get your shades mixed up – the five colours are quite different, which should help! Knot a problem Look out for the French knots in metallic thread – these can be fiddly and will demand both a good light and plenty of time and concentration. A dash of Thread Heaven will also be helpful to make your threads behave!…

Jumping for joy Dancing in the Field (B558) from Luca-S is a truly marvellous design that's sure to turn heads with its joyous depiction of a young girl twirling around in pure glee. It’s boldly worked in vibrant red shades against a pale and largely monochromatic backdrop. Stitched on 18-count aida, the finished design measures 28x37cm and makes for a dense and detailed project that, once finished, will become a striking piece of artwork to display in pride of place in your home. Dancing in the Field costs £41.99 from SoloCrafts stockists. Call 0161 464 7313 or visit www. solocrafts.com/  stockists for more details Small wonders If you have any friends who are keen to share your hobby, the new range of mini cross stitch kits from…

Keeping trim The blue trim makes for the perfect finishing touch to your pouffe, and the colour beautifully suits the thread colours. It’s fine to leave this off, but I’d recommend adding this as it makes the finished piece into something extra special! It’s in the detail Black backstitch creates essential outline here, and brings this pattern bursting to life. Make sure you keep your stitches neat so that the lines are straight and clear, and once the backstitch is complete, finish up with the French knots!…

Don’t leaf it out! I’ve used deep green shades to create realistic leaves, with cross stitches in a paler shade to outline the veins of each leaf. Grey long stitch makes for a delicate outline around the edge and each leaf is supremely simple to stitch, using only whole stitches – just keep an eye on the colour changes as you go! Bit by bit… My design of roses and lilies is made up of lots of different parts, so you may decide to concentrate on one element of the cushion at a time. Each flower or panel would also lend itself to making other smaller pictures, cards or gifts – for example, you could adapt the panel of pink flowers to make a pretty bookmark.…