Foreword by Julie Jackson 6
Introduction 8
Tools & materials 10
Making a start 18
How to cross stitch 20
Framing your work 28
The back 32
Colour 36
A moment of context 46
Outlier: Zoe Gilbertson 54
Glow in the Dark 56
Stitching and travelling 63
Outlier: Kate Blandford 72
More Than a Hobby 74
Peace of mind 76
Embroidery as therapy 79
Craftivism 83
Embroidery as an art form 86
Outlier: Severija
Inirauskait-Kriauneviien 90
Pattern Design 92
Computer design 94
Fabric count 99
Colour 100
Epic pineapple 102
Outlier: Lord Libidan 116
Thinking Outside
the Hoop 118
If its got holes in it... 120
Stitching on plastic 122
Stitching on metal 127
Were all adults 131
Outlier: Les Deuz'Bro 132
Final thoughts 134
Alphabet fonts 136
Acknowledgements 140
Index 141
Projects
Back in Black 32
Fleur de Couleur 40
From Ampersand to Bargello 42
Something Meaningful 47
Sqrl! 50
Empire State 58
Winter is Coming 64
Home Sweet Home Network 68
VodkAtomic 70
I Got Yer Mindfulness Right Here 76
I am an Addict 80
#StitchforSyria 83
Mona 87
Introducing the Pineapple! 95
Portrait of a Pineapple 104
Pop Art Pineapple 108
Whitby Abbey at Sunset 112
Bling 120
Silver Devil 124
C-Tron 125
Yellow Blade 126
Look! 127
What The?! 128