The World of Cross Stitching

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, there are plenty of romantic ideas for you to stitch for your other half this month. Jenny Barton’s trio of cute designs are filled with her characteristic warmth and humour (p20) or for a smaller project,

Gail designed projects for WOXS many years ago and we’re thrilled to welcome her back again. Try her intricate folk-style birdhouse sampler on page 36. Hannah has perfectly captured the beauty and poise of a leopard in their tropical jungle habitat (

is an office assistant from Brisbane, Australia How did you start stitching? I found a small teacup kit at a garage sale when I was about 10 and my grandmother showed me how to complete it. From then on, I’ve been hooked. Current project? I’ve just a

I’d love to introduce you to Hjort – protector of the O’Neil household! We named him Hjort as it means deer in Danish. This is my biggest full coverage piece at 71,400 stitches. It took four months to complete. I’m so proud of this one and it’s the f

WRITE TO US A T: Letters, The World of Cross Stitching, Immediate Media Co, Eagle House, Bristol BS1 4ST ■

Like many people during lockdown I renewed my love of cross stitching, after a break that lasted many years. I was given a subscription to the magazine as a Christmas present and have just completed the bookmark included in issue 304 (March 2021). As

I purchased issue 303 (February 2021) and saw Nia Rhind’s ‘Welcome Little One’ design that appeared in the Designer Spotlight feature. I knew right away that this would be perfect for my son and daughter-in-law, Joe and Helen, who were expecting thei

Don’t forget to send all your letters and photos in to us! Email us at: theworldofxstitching@immediate.co.uk or write to: The World of Cross Stitching, Immediate Media Co, Eagle House, Bristol BS1 4ST Get in touch on Facebook, too! Each letter printe

Our Senior Technical Editor Fiona is ready to solve stitching dilemmas and answer technique questions Heather is a cross stitch designer and multicrafter – she’ll help you transform your stitching into finished items A lifelong stitcher, our Charting

Q What can you use to back your cross stitch? I read about an iron-on fabric but will the glue harm the stitching? Linda Paterson, via Facebook A Heather: Backing finished stitches is a great idea as it helps to protect the stitch as well as lessen s

Q What is the most efficient way for me to undo large areas of cross stitching? Stephanie Holland, via Facebook A Fiona: We’d usually recommend carefully undoing (or frogging, as it’s known) the work stitch-by-stitch with your needle, though this isn

Q I love the your Wishes Granted feature and wondered if there’s any way you could design a small one for me? I have attached a couple photos of my teddy. I’ve had it since I was born and I’m now 30! Rachel Lewis, via email A Jenny: Thanks for this r

Q Am I allowed to sell a few pieces monthly on Etsy that I made from Ultimate Cross Stitch Home magazine as long as I credit the designer? Sara Akile, via email A Hannah F: Ultimate Cross Stitch isn’t produced by us, but it was a sister title, so it’

Don’t forget to send all your stitchy questions and design requests in to us! Email us at: theworldofxstitching@immediate.co.uk Write to: Ask the Experts, The World of Cross Stitching, Immediate Media Co, Eagle House, Bristol BS1 4ST Send in queries

× Claire Kampowski: Mill Hill* seed beads are fantastic – I wouldn’t use anything else, and I recommend a beading needle. But be careful with them because they’re sharp. Try to match the thread you sew with to the bead colour, and remember to sew all

Goldleaf Needlework* have launched a new ‘Professions’ collection designed by Vanessa Wells and the first release is this ‘Doctor’ cross stitch. The finished piece will be around 23x9cm (9x3in) and the kit comes complete with 14-count pale blue aida,

Get your hands on Inspired Cross-Stitch by Gail Bussi available at Waterstones*. Featuring 30 mindful patterns in Gail’s signature style, unwind with your craft and find plenty of inspo to spread joy with handmade gifts that feature meaningful saying

Designed for stitchers eager to master new techniques and set themselves regular, fun new challenges, welcome to this month’s workshop, which focuses on closed buttonhole stitch. This is a variation of blanket stitch but is organised in clusters of t

Editor Hannah Fletcher Production Editor Emily Heming Senior Art Editor Sue White Designer Lynne Guyler Senior Technical Editor Fiona Baker Charting Assistant Hannah Erskine Photography Steve Sayers Contributors Carol McCormick, Heather Nugent, Poppy

× Choose your project… Use the Factbox guide in every one of our projects, to make sure you choose the right level for you. Absolute beginners should aim for a design without fractional stitches. × Buy your materials… Use our shopping list for each p

Loop start With both ends of a strand threaded, bring your needle up (1), leaving a loop at the back. Work the first arm of your stitch (2) & secure it by passing your needle through the loop. Backstitch Add detail and definition. Bring your needle u

Afghan – a woollen blanket with areas inset for cross stitching, often used for baby designs Aida band – a narrow strip of aida, available in varying widths, & finished with a decorative edge Aperture – a hole through which a design is seen in cards

The chart shows which corner has the fractional. Bring the needle up in that corner and down in the centre of the square, halfway across the diagonal (diagram 1). Work a quarter stitch, then a half stitch across the other diagonal arm of the square a