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HomeXStitch
$7 per quarter
https://xstitchmag.com/
Made by
MrXStitch this kickstarter based
magazine was created as a direct opposite to
the girly magazines the scene is full of.
Its simple message, is bringing cross stitch
up to date, with very modern patterns, and
features that a lot of magazines don’t have;
such as everyone gets print and online
versions, with larger patterns to see
better, a podcast of songs to go with all
the patterns, a online community for further
support and showing off, etc. Unlike the
rest of the entries on the list XStitch is
not full of patterns by one main designer,
but instead each issue has 12 different
designers from around the world (including
people like Jane Greenoff and myself),
specifically chosen for the themes, which
are must more radical than the usual.
Score 9.9/10
CrossStitcher
$2 – $6 per month; digital and print
http://crossstitchermag.co.uk/
Currently the second most popular cross
stitch magazine out there, but on the rise,
CrossStitcher focuses on modern cross
stitch. The contemporary, bright, bold
designs are better suited to a 16-50 age
bracket, with great finishing ideas, and
loads of freebies every issue. Its also the
only magazine to offer a digital only
option, which at $2 is a steal in itself,
although with a physical copy for only $6 it
might be worth getting that, as you get the
digital copy for free.
Many prominent artists have been featured,
including myself back in
2012,
2013 and
2015
Score 9.4/10
Full CrossStitcher review
The World Of Cross Stitching
$6
– $12 per month; digital and print
The World of Cross Stitching (or TWOCS as
its sometimes known) is the longest running
cross stitching magazine in world wide
production, and you can see why quite
quickly; its very mainstream. If this is
what you’re looking for then its a great
magazine, full of patterns, and the largest
in size on the list. It plays up on being
British for the American market, and so as a
Brit you might find it a little unrealistic,
but it has lots of other animal, teddy,
flower, heart, etc based patterns. They
theme on seasons heavily, to the point where
every issue is a holiday of some kind. They
include free items, but these tend to be
knickknacks and not pattern stitching items,
however they do include waste canvas often,
which can be hard to get your hands on. In
recent years its started to struggle as
people have moved to other magazines on the
list, however still commands a massive
following.
Score 9.2/10
https://www.facebook.com/TheWorldofCrossStitching
Full The World Of Cross Stitching review
Cross Stitch Crazy
$12 – $14 per month; print only
https://www.buysubscriptions.com/print/cross-stitch-crazy-magazine-subscription
http://www.cross-stitching.com/magazines/cross-stitch-crazy
Cross Stitch Crazy is a very similar
magazine to The World Of Cross Stitching,
however tends to appeal to the English
market better, with less American holidays,
less playing up to being British and more
kit giveaways. However, its main draw back,
which people are very vocal about is its
Christmas period. For the three months
leading, all the magazines are devoted to
Christmas. This tends to get on people’s
nerves a bit. Other than that, its a good
magazine, but it might be worth a flick
through before buying each month as its a
bit hit and miss.
Score 8.3/10
Cross Stitch Gold
$7 – $9 per month; print only
http://www.cross-stitching.com/magazines/cross-stitch-gold
https://www.buysubscriptions.com/print/cross-stitch-gold-magazine-subscription
Cross Stitch Gold appeals to the established stitcher, with sometimes VERY complex and
large patterns, focuses towards traditional.
All the patterns are from established
designers, such as Joan Elliott, and most of
the projects will take you more than a month
to finish. There are no freebies, and most
patterns are focused on landscapes,
portraits, houses, fairies, samurai, etc
much like traditional cross stitch patterns.
Score 8.0/10
Cross Stitch Favourites
$5 – $8 per quarter; print only
http://www.cross-stitching.com/magazines/cross-stitch-favourites
A new comer to the cross stitch magazine
scene, its demographic is hard to pin down.
Almost every cover has “cute” written on it
in large, and patterns tend to side with
teddy bears and baby congratulations. Its
only been going a year, and doesn’t theme
for seasons, but barely comes with any free
gifts, and never includes enough to make a
pattern from the mag.
Score 6.1/10
Just Cross Stitch
$7 per month; print only; USA only
https://www.just-crossstitch.com/
The only US only magazine on the list, Just
Cross Stitch has been going just over 30
years, and has had a bit of a rocky start
since it was sold last year. The patterns
are sometimes inspired, but can occasionally
look tired. It has a modern design, and most
patterns follow this ideal, and it features
lesser known internet cross stitch
celebrities. Its big pull is the Christmas
ornament issue (not to be confused with the
Christmas issue coming out the month after),
which includes a large supply of free
things, and features nothing but unique ways
to make cross stitch ornaments. Its worth
looking into if you’re US based, but they
currently don’t have any plans to supply the
rest of the world.
Score 7.6/10
Enjoy Cross Stitch
$11 – $14 per month; print only
https://www.newsstand.co.uk/247-Knitting-and-Crochet-Magazines/13327-Subscribe-to-ENJOY-CROSS-STITCH-Magazine-Subscription.aspx
Enjoy Cross Stitch Magazine is a new
magazine, out less than a year, and clearly
aimed at getting young girls into cross
stitch. The patterns are all very easy,
oriented towards pink, and the magazine
comes with enough included to get at least 3
patterns made. Each magazine is themed, but
never seasonal. However, of all the
magazines on the list, its the only one that
has a lot of “other” magazine content.
You’re likely to find interviews with
popular artists, snippets from books, and
quizzes not related to cross stitch.
Score 4.9/10