CrossStitcher

Designed by: Susan Penny Stitch count: 20 high x 20 wide Design size: 3.5x3.5cm (1⅜x1⅜in) Stitch time: 4 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Leave out adding the hairband if you want to make a pincushion, without wearing it on your finger Make a… ring pincushion Step 1 WORK using two strands of stranded cotton for the cross stitch, and one strand for the backstitch and French knots. Step 2 TAKE a plastic milk bottle lid that’s 4cm (1½in) across, plus stuffing or cut up tights to fill the pincushion. Fold the felt in half, and cut a 7cm (2¾in) circle from each piece. Step 3 PLACE one felt circle over the closed end of the lid and up the sides, and glue it in place…

PLUS access rare issues for Cross Stitch Collection Receive your print and digital issues every month & access over 10 years’ worth of digital archive issues EXCLUSIVE OFFER! NOT AVAILABLE ELSEWHERE! bit.ly/CROSJOINT SCAN ME *T&Cs Apply: Print and digital subscription available to UK addresses when paying Direct Debit or Continuous Card Payment (CPA). Also available to those living outside of the UK when paying via Continuous Card Payment (CPA) Print copies will be mailed to you when released. DigitalPlus access to archive issues and new releases only available during your subscription period. DigitalPlus is our digital archive of over 10 years’ worth of CrossStitcher magazine plus you’ll also be able to access rare issues of ‘Cross Stitch Collection’ too.…

WE LIVE IN a part of the UK where plenty is grown locally – including flowers, and shop locally where we can. We are full of admiration for these small-scale flower farmers but are sure it isn’t as dreamy as modern social media makes it look! Susan still recalls her Saturday job in a florist, where chapped hands and shifting heavy buckets were more realistic. Back then it was all about imported flowers and very formal arrangements. This vision of gathering armfuls of blooms is the inspiration for our cover. Durene Jones has done us proud with her flower farmer delivery truck laden with natural flowers (page26). Of course, it had to be a vintage truck. This prompted memories of holidays in Cornwall, driving all the way from Wiltshire in a…

LIMITED TIME OFFER! This offer ends 14 April, or earlier if stock runs out! This month we bring you a very useful Thread Organiser by Trimits. This lightweight yet sturdy organiser is great for storing and parking thread colours while working on a project. This will help you avoid knotting, twisting and getting your threads tangled together. The organiser allows for each thread to be hooked into place, rather than having to tie through a hole and untie each time you need to use it. The foam pads have slot notches allowing each thread colour to be held securely and away from other colours. The foam also enables you to place your threaded needles securely in place while working on your project. In the centre is a card strip which…

Tape on tape Sally Wilson, founder of Caterpillar Cross Stitch, recently appeared on the BBC One show The Big Idea Works, hosted by Sara Davies. The show features creative entrepreneurs pitching innovative product ideas to expert engineers. Sally showcased her latest invention, The Handi Tape – a Bluetooth-enabled, wrist-mounted, retractable tape measure aimed at enhancing efficiency for crafters and designers. Her journey from concept to prototype, inspired by managing her business during the pandemic, has led to her securing a UK trademark for The Handi Tape and exploring manufacturing and investment opportunities. Sally’s episode aired in February, and all episodes are available for streaming on BBC iPlayer. Keep an eye out for future updates! CRAFT CADDY THE BELLWOOD Caddy is a stylish storage solution for cross stitchers, offering a handy…

MOOD BOARDS I do all my initial designing in my sketchbook, and then screenshot all the images I am using as inspiration and then create a mood board on my iMac. This is the mood board for my new ‘Strawberries’ Cross stitch kit – it’s so summery! VINTAGE NEEDLEWORK BOOKS I collect second-hand needlework books – if I am passing a charity shop, I will have to go and check to see if any are in stock. I have some absolutely beautiful books which provide lots of inspiration! Below are my top 5 essentials when I’m creating designs for www.themakearcade.co.uk BOOK LIGHT Stitching in daylight is not always possible if you have to do your projects in the evenings, but I use a clip-on USB book light, which is a…