Cross Stitch Favourites

Welcome to the winter wonderland world of Cross Stitch Favourites! Lose yourself in our special festive issue featuring an irresistible collection of cross stitch designs. From the whimsical festive mice and heartwarming hot chocolate cards by the beloved Durene Jones, to the chic and modern designs by Emma Congdon, and exclusive cards by Bothy Threads, there’s something for everyone. Explore our Scandi-style Fair Isle tree baubles, and the frosty blue and white collection encompassing tree decorations, cake bands, gift ideas, tags, and more. We know that cards are your favourite charts to stitch at this time of year, so we’ve put together a bumper selection of 41 different card designs, each presented in fresh, contemporary styles alongside captivating photography. Elevate your stitching with our tips, easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions, making-up ideas…

These cute kitties have tucked themselves in for the night and are waiting for Christmas morning to arrive! They’re already imagining all the gift-wrapped toys and treats they’ll find beneath the Christmas tree when they awake. This picture will set the scene perfectly for the festive season in your home. Filled with heaps of Margaret Sherry’s much-loved and unique whimsical charm, the design has plenty of details to keep your needle busy, from the classic patterns on the stockings to the smiling faces of the cats. Carefully placed backstitches in one strand of charcoal grey stranded cotton are used to outline each of the kitties, bringing a fluffy feel to their fur, while the super-long whiskers can be worked in long stitches to keep them smooth. So why not follow…

Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a… well actually, it looks like these little pickles didn’t get the memo! Whether they’ve been busy decorating the tops of steaming mugs of hot chocolate, using the mugs as a playground, or taking a well-earned siesta after a busy day on barista duty, these mice have certainly been busy merrymaking. We encourage you to take a leaf from their books as you work your way through the whole set of six delightful scenes. Featuring traditional candy canes, peppermint sweets, gingerbread cookies and lashings of whipped cream, these squeak-hearts are pulling out all the stops and their antics are sure to delight little kids and grown-up recipients alike. And, of course, don’t forget…

Add a touch of glamour to your handmade gifts this year with festive motifs in rich purples, cool teals and sparkly metallics – these plush thread colours will pop against pristine white aida. Whether you’re stitching baubles for a modern Christmas tree, creating a stylish advent calendar for the kids or making a pretty card for a friend, these designs will give an extra-special touch to all your presents. Plus, you’ll have so much fun stitching them in just whole stitches and backstitch, you’ll feel like you’re treating yourself, too. From simple snowflakes to strings of fairy lights, choose a design that takes just an hour, if you’re in a hurry, or go for a slightly bigger motif when you have more time. Stuck for ideas on what to make…

As well as their irresistible cuteness, the thing these super sweet motifs have in common is their gorgeous smiling faces – and not just on the gingerbread biscuit and elves. A trio of baubles have big grins, there’s even a face on the side of a mug. You’ll be smiling too, as you stitch these characterful charts, because they’re quick and easy to whip up with the help of our tips over the page. Stitch Tip When making decorations for the tree, iron the back of your work with interfacing to strengthen the fabric and neaten the reverse Bright ideas Stitch a sugar cane and display on a sweetie jar – just back your completed stitching onto iron-on interfacing, cut around the cane shape and add to a homemade blue…

Specially designed for Cross Stitch Favourites magazine, this jolly trio of cards is full of humour and good cheer. The lovely thing about cards with a sense of humour is that they bring chuckles to you as you create them in stitches. Anyone who knows cats will giggle at the three moggies in Christmas party mode as the little black cat gets tangled up in fairy lights, watched by a pair of tabby and marmalade cats wearing a Santa hat and deely boppers. Wish a cat lover a ‘purrfect Christmas’ with joined-up backstitching; there’s clever backstitch detail for the magnificent whiskers, too. Who wouldn’t smile at the ‘dachshund through the snow’ joke? This little fellow is all togged up in a stripy jumper, with a woolly scarf flying behind him…