Idea Transcript
in £1 be priz,08 1 *U w e K o s ON t LY n! o
The world’s most beautiful cross stitch designs in one unique collection ISSUE 123 £4.99 £4 99
Polar bear friend
YOUR ULTIMATE Christmas design collection!
Begin the count down
Stylish redwork cards
Festive A pair of sweet robins
wishes
DON’T MISS: Snowy cottage, best buys and more...
Celebrate in stitches
Contents
It’s always nice to welcome a new designer to the pages of Gold, so I’m thrilled to introduce Emma Congdon with her festive typographic design (p20). This piece will make a bold statement in any home, and the colours are sublime! Our wellloved favourites have surpassed themselves in this issue, too – stitch Maria Diaz’s pure white polar bear (p12) for a wildlife fan, or Lesley Teare’s beautiful wreath (p4) to brighten up your home this festive season. Durene Jones has created some stunning cards using redwork on page 60. And, if you love to see the look on a little one’s face at Christmas, just wait until you stitch her advent calendar on page 36 – they’re sure to love it! In between all this Christmas stitching, we’ve got a gem of a design from Joan Elliott, which celebrates the very special bond between children and their grandmother (p52). It’s so sweet, and I know there will be many of you who fall in love with this piece. I can’t wait to see photos of your finished work!
4
Baubles and blooms
Projects 4 Festive wreath Stitch this gorgeous garland, strung with Christmas ornaments and flowers
Sarah Trevor, Editor
Sarah’s choice
12 Polar bear You’ll find it hard to resist this beautiful bear and snowy landscape
20 Christmas lyrics A stylish typographic design that’s certain to get you in the festive spirit!
28 Snowy cottage Come home to this charming design
36 Advent calendar The Christmas countdown begins when you start stitching our fab calendar!
44 Robin redbreasts Savour the sight of these wintry birds in an exclusive Anchor design
52 Gift for Grandma This sweet scene and sentiment will become a a treasured family heirloom
20
Magical moments
2 Cross Stitch Gold
60 Redwork cards Stunning festive designs in a single colour
52
Stitched with love
Contents
12
28
Pure grace
36
60
Santa’s little helpers
Season’s greetings
Features & regulars
Reviews & advice
11 Your letters
18 New products
Readers share pictures of their latest stitching projects and the fantastic stories behind them!
Discover the newest kits, charts and accessories to buy
26 Subscribe today
34 Ask the experts
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51 Giveaways
43 Chart reviews
58 Next issue
59 Stockists
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44
Morning has broken
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See what’s coming up in issue 124 of Gold, on sale from 13th October 2015 (UK) ( K)
Home for Christmas
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We rate three beautiful bookmark patterns
Find the supplies you’ll need to stitch our projects
64 Stitching guidelines Handy instructions and step-by-steps for beginners to cross stitch
prizes! CROSS STITCH GOLD D (USPS 021-175) (ISSN 1471-3660) is published six times a year by Immediate Media Company Bristol Ltd, 2nd Floor, Tower House, Fairfax St, Bristol BS1 3BN, UK. Distributed in the US by Circulation Specialists, LLC., 2 Corporate Drive, Suite 945, Shelton CT 06484. Periodical postage paid at Shelton, CT and other mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Cross Stitch Gold, d PO BOX 37495, Boone, IA 50037-0495.
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Cross Stitch Gold 3
Festive wreath
Baubles and blooms Deck the halls with this gorgeous alternative to a traditional garland, in vibrant Christmas colours Stitcher’s guide This festive wreath is worked on 28-count white evenweave over two threads of the fabric, using 28 different shades of stranded cotton and one shade of metallic thread. The design uses whole cross stitches and fractionals in two strands of cotton. Backstitch in one strand and four different shades adds definition, while seed beads are the perfect finishing touch. This piece is recommended for experienced stitchers.
Meet the designer Lesley Teare Lesley designs for many of the best stitching magazines, as well as for cross stitch books If your Christmas wreath has seen better days and is looking a bit tired this year, why not replace it with my stitched design? It’s bright and beautiful, and it’ll last for many years if you look after it! I’ve decorated the garland with bold red poinsettias, roses, shiny baubles and berries, then finished it off with a big bow at the top. I think you’ll enjoy this project, as there are so many wonderful colours in it, as well as metallic thread and gold beads. The festive greeting makes this piece perfect for hanging in a hallway to welcome guests at Christmas time. Or you can display it on the door just like a normal wreath – but perhaps an internal door would be best!
How to stitch the wreath
1
Find the centre of your fabric by folding it in half both horizontally and vertically. Follow the arrows on the chart to find its centre and start stitching here, working outwards. Work the cross stitch over two threads of the fabric, using two strands of cotton or metallic thread. For every tiny symbol you see on the chart, work a fractional stitch. Add the backstitch using one strand of cotton or metallic thread. Attach the seed beads using two strands of thread in a matching shade, and using a whole cross stitch for each bead. Check over your finished stitching and prepare for making up.
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You will need FABRIC Zweigart 28-count white evenweave measuring 40x40cm (16x16in) THREADS Stranded cotton and metallic thread as listed in the key BEADS Mill Hill seed beads as listed in the key NEEDLE Size 26 tapestry needle; beading needle EXTRAS 30cm (12in) embroidery hoop from Craft Department, gold paint and red mini pompoms from local craft shops FOR STOCKISTS’ DETAILS turn to page 59
4 Cross Stitch Gold
stitch tip Trim your fabric at the back, following the circular shape of the hoop. Then use running stitch around the edge to draw the fabric in neatly
Festive wreath
Decorate your hoop with pompom trim for a fun, festive finish!
Cross Stitch Gold 5
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