CrossStitcher

MORE THAN ANY other time of year, autumn makes us think about our home. Maybe it is because this is the season to get cosy. We are coming to the end of our epic kitchen renovation and really hope we can be getting cosy by the Aga soon! We asked Emma Congdon about her thoughts of home, and shehas created an amazing new ‘swatch sampler’ that we can all identify with. ‘Friday night chips’ made us smile as that is always something we do with family and the ‘muddy paw prints’ made us sigh in recognition as this is an everyday occurrence for us with two dogs and a big garden. As ever, Emma has been very clever with her colours and just a hint of pattern portraying something familiar. You…

Secure your subscription for less and not only will you receive the best cross stitching magazine around, you’ll also get an exclusive kit with each issue! All subscribers, no matter where you are will always receive the exclusive kits. 13 CHART PACKED ISSUES • ENHANCE YOUR SKILLS with our innovative tutorials. • Use our SIMPLE STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS to make thoughtful gifts for your friends and family • DELIGHT IN THE JOY of stitching with this pocket-friendly offer crafted with you in mind. EXCLUSIVE KIT IN EVERY REGULAR ISSUE! bit.ly/CROSA24 SCAN ME *T&Cs: Over £30 saving based on standard cover price of £5.99, in the UK paying by Direct Debit or Continuous Card Payment (CPA). Non-UK savings may vary. 13 issue per year, including exclusive covermount kits. Offer ends 31st December 2024.…

Christmas is coming! We might only have just reached autumn, but as every keen stitcher knows, it’s very much time to make a start on Christmas projects! Check out just some of the fabulous festive range from Bothy Threads and decide which one you’d like to start first! New for Christmas 2024 they have 22 designs in cross stitch, embroidery and tapestry, plus three needleminders in the range too. Favourites include (clockwise) Toadstool Treats using artwork by Sarah Summers, Jolly Holly greetings card using artwork by Wrendale Designs, Candy Canes using artwork by Sally King, Prancing Pals using artwork by Karen Tye-Bentley and There’s No Place Like Home using artwork by Lucy Pittaway. For more details and to order visit www.bothythreads.com. PERFECT ESCAPE WHERE IS your sanctuary? The woods, the sewing…

Below are my top 5 essentials for when I’m designing for CrossStitcher or for myself… HOOPS Embroidery hoops are an essential for me. They make stitching faster and easier, and many can even be left on to frame the finished piece. PLASTIC CANVAS Plastic canvas is an essential for me. It is really fast and easy to stitch on so it is excellent for when you need to make a special card or gift in a hurry! It is super easy to cut out the shapes (with your sharp scissors). LARGE PROJECT BAG Last one, and this is very important, is a project bag to keep all the bits of a current project together. I am quite an untidy person so being able to put them away together between sessions…

Use glittery evenweave or glitter felt to add extra sparkle to your pumpkin! Designed by: Susan Penny Stitch count: 39 high x 105 wide Design size: 7x19cm (2¾x7½in) Stitch time: 8 hours This design was stitched on 28 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. Make a… pumpkin pincushion Step 1 CUT a 12.5x21.5cm (5x8½in) piece of of orange evenweave. Stitch five pattern repeats leaving 2.5cm (1in) above and below the stitching. With back seams together and right sides facing, sew up the back seam, so that once joined the start and finish of the stitching will be touching. Step 2 TURN your pumpkin to the right side, and then make a row of running stitches 1.25cm (½in) up from the bottom edge. Gather up, with the cut fabric edges…

Hullo! I often write about mindfulness and positive mental health, so this month I thought that I would talk about something that gives me a supreme boost in mental joy - dogs! Don’t get me wrong; when asked if I’m a dog person or a cat person, the answer is ‘yes’. But there’s something so joyous about dogs and how happy they are to see you. Whether they’re looking for cuddles, to play, to go for a w.a.l.k, or chew up your shoes (or, in the case of a good friend, chew up only left shoes – how their dog knows which is left is beyond us, but it’s a 100% success rate!), their companionship and personality strike a chord deep in many of us. They’re not humanity’s best friend…