So, here we are in autumn (how did that happen?), and the focus has shifted to misty mornings, cosy evenings and, of course, Halloween! If getting spooky with a new needlecraft project sounds like your sort of thing, look no further for inspiration – take a look with us at creepy houses, black cats, cobwebby shoes and magical pumpkins, all perfect projects for the bewitching season. There are even two sweet gonks trying their best to look scary!
Spooky Shoes
Bats, cobwebs, spiders and pumpkins – scary enough for you? Relax, maybe with a spiced pumpkin latte, and get spooky with these wonderful cross stitch kits from Bothy Threads. On the left is All Hallows’ Party. a wonderfully intricate design of a curly-toed boot, masquerading as a gothic castle, lit by fire, surrounded by circling bats, and with a wicked witch flying away on her broomstick.
The design is stitched on 16 count white Zweigart Aida, and the kit includes all the threads you will need, including metallic ones for a little extra sparkle. It is based on original artwork by Sally King, and we think it could bring exactly the right combination of magic and scary to your crafting this season. And we have a second shoe-shaped design form Bothy Threads on our radar this month too.
The high-heeled Gossamer Slipper, on the right, is entirely made from cobwebs and autumn leaves. Black cats perch on the toe and stretch up the heel, whilst spiders hang from their webs and a pumpkin glows on the ground. Stitched on 14 count white Aida, this design also features some metallic sparkle. You will use cross stitch, whilst the cobwebby shoe is carefully constructed from back stitch. Maybe one of thes spooky shoes will be your stitchy companion this month, whilst the nights draw in and pumpkins glow in the gloom.
Under a Spell
Welcome to the haunted house – to be specific, Bothy Threads’ Pumpkin House.
Stitched onto colour-printed 14 count Zweigart Aida, the kit is supplied with black stranded cotton, silver metallic thread and star sequins to create the silhouetted house, tree and witch with her cauldron. The intricate pumpkin design glows in orange, whilst the spooky skeleton grins from the grave. The standoff between the witch’s black cat and a bold mouse completes the scary scene. And, of course, on the door is the perfect Halloween number – 13! The greeny, orange variegated fabric makes the black stitching wonderfully bold, leaving the unstitched areas spookily orange, enabling the skeleton and the pumpkin to seem creepily real.
Cast a spell, carve the pumpkin, fly broomsticks – do all the spooky season things whilst you stitch this fun design Touch of Magic from Caterpillar Cross Stitch! The cheerful colours and cute illustrations make this Halloween-themed project such an enjoyable stitch – and when its finished, why not turn it into a wall hanging, perfect for sharing your scary stitching. Stitched on grey fabric, the colourful words and mixed typography bring together the cute and the scary, in a perfect combination for your seasonal stitching. The kit includes the fabric, pre-sorted DMC stranded cottons, a needle, colour chart, thread colour key and full instructions. So, get ready to create some magic!
Scary or Sweet?
The two Happy Halloween cards from Heritage Crafts might be just what you’re looking for to greet a friend in the spooky season. Each one features an adorable gonk, one with a purple hat and one in orange but both with a spooky spider staring at us with unsettling green eyes.
Whether it’s a Trick or Treat sign that you prefer, or a pumpkin carved with a wide grin, we think that these two little gonks, designed by Kirsten Roche for Heritage Crafts, will bring a smile to your seasonal stitching! Each kit includes all the stitching supplies you will need, as well as a card and envelope so, whoever you want to greet with a Happy Halloween message, we are sure you’ll find one of these fits the bill. We’re going to say scary and sweet🙂.
That’s it for the Needlecraft round-up this month – Alex and Judith have more for you in their looks at yarn and fabric.