XStitch is the magazine that sets a new standard for cross stitch design, with themed issues featuring a diverse collection of patterns from international designers. Each week we’ll share a pattern from the archives, to get you itching for some stitching!
Our continuing assessment of themes in the mainstream cross stitch publication market turns its attention to Cross Stitch Crazy, one of the UK’s best selling titles, published by Immediate Media.
For each issue we focused on the main image offered in each issue, and categorised that design within broad themes, based on the premise that this was the most significant design in that issue. We accessed covers dating back to 2014 and this review will cover the 60 monthly covers to the end of 2018.
It’s important to note that we respect Cross Stitch Crazy and know that a lot of people get a lot of pleasure from it. It has been supporting the craft of cross stitch for many years and does a fine job. This is an exercise in understanding the variety of themes offered to the enthusiastic stitcher by a mainstream publication.
There are a couple of theme overlaps in this quartet.
- Cute Animals – 3
- Anthropomorphism – 2
- Christmas – 1
- Love – 1
- Florals – 2
No new themes appeared in this quartet.
- Cute Animals – 7
- Anthropomorphism – 6
- Christmas – 1
- Love – 1
- Florals – 2
The themes of fantasy and portraits appear in this quartet.
- Cute Animals – 8
- Anthropomorphism – 7
- Christmas – 3
- Love – 1
- Florals – 2
- Fantasy – 1
- Portraits – 2
The theme of children appears in this quartet.
- Cute Animals – 11
- Anthropomorphism – 9
- Christmas – 3
- Love – 2
- Florals – 3
- Fantasy – 1
- Portraits – 2
- Children – 1
No new themes appeared in this quartet.
- Cute Animals – 13
- Anthropomorphism – 11
- Christmas – 3
- Love – 2
- Florals – 3
- Fantasy – 2
- Portraits – 3
- Children – 1
The theme of cartoon characters appears in the November issue.
- Cute Animals – 13
- Anthropomorphism – 11
- Christmas – 3
- Love – 2
- Florals – 3
- Fantasy – 2
- Portraits – 3
- Children – 1
- Cartoon Characters – 1
The theme of nostalgia appears in the April edition.
- Cute Animals – 15
- Anthropomorphism – 13
- Christmas – 3
- Love – 3
- Florals – 3
- Fantasy – 2
- Portraits – 4
- Children – 1
- Cartoon Characters – 1
- Nostalgia – 1
No new themes appeared in this quartet.
- Cute Animals – 18
- Anthropomorphism – 16
- Christmas – 3
- Love – 3
- Florals – 4
- Fantasy – 3
- Portraits – 4
- Children – 1
- Cartoon Characters – 1
- Nostalgia – 1
No new themes appeared in this quartet.
- Cute Animals – 21
- Anthropomorphism – 18
- Christmas – 5
- Love – 3
- Florals – 4
- Fantasy – 3
- Portraits – 5
- Children – 1
- Cartoon Characters – 1
- Nostalgia – 1
The design for January is classified as landscapes.
- Cute Animals – 23
- Anthropomorphism – 20
- Christmas – 5
- Love – 4
- Florals – 4
- Fantasy – 4
- Portraits – 5
- Children – 1
- Cartoon Characters – 1
- Nostalgia – 1
- Landscapes – 1
No new themes appeared in this quartet.
- Cute Animals – 23
- Anthropomorphism – 20
- Christmas – 5
- Love – 4
- Florals – 4
- Fantasy – 4
- Portraits – 5
- Children – 1
- Cartoon Characters – 2
- Nostalgia – 1
- Landscapes – 2
No new themes appeared in this quartet.
- Cute Animals – 25
- Anthropomorphism – 22
- Christmas – 7
- Love – 4
- Florals – 4
- Fantasy – 5
- Portraits – 6
- Children – 1
- Cartoon Characters – 2
- Nostalgia – 1
- Landscapes – 2
No new themes appeared in this quartet.
- Cute Animals – 29
- Anthropomorphism – 25
- Christmas – 7
- Love – 5
- Florals – 4
- Fantasy – 5
- Portraits – 6
- Children – 1
- Cartoon Characters – 2
- Nostalgia – 1
- Landscapes – 2
The theme of transport appears in July.
- Cute Animals – 30
- Anthropomorphism – 26
- Christmas – 7
- Love – 5
- Florals – 5
- Fantasy – 6
- Portraits – 6
- Children – 1
- Cartoon Characters – 2
- Nostalgia – 1
- Landscapes – 2
- Transport – 1
No new themes appeared in this quartet.
- Cute Animals – 32
- Anthropomorphism – 27
- Christmas – 9
- Love – 5
- Florals – 5
- Fantasy – 7
- Portraits – 6
- Children – 1
- Cartoon Characters – 3
- Nostalgia – 1
- Landscapes – 2
- Transport – 1
Here are the themes you can get Cross Stitch Crazy about.
In 60 issues of Cross Stitch Crazy, 12 different themes were offered as the main design on the front cover.
- Cute Animals – 32
- Anthropomorphism – 27
- Christmas – 9
- Fantasy – 7
- Portraits – 6
- Love – 5
- Florals – 5
- Cartoon Characters – 3
- Children – 1
- Nostalgia – 1
- Landscapes – 2
- Transport – 1
Cute Animals appeared on 67% of the covers, with Anthropomorphism being applied to said animals for 56% of the covers. The Fantasy theme was predominantly represented by fairies, coming close to Christmas for the third most popular theme.
This is why we create XStitch Magazine.
Our themed issues celebrate the diverse dynamics of an international cohort of cross stitch designers. We deliberately provide an eclectic mix of designs to ensure that people of all ages, backgrounds and attitudes will find something they want to make. We believe that the medium of cross stitch is a vibrant craft that can reflect all aspects of life, and we will continue to challenge the mainstream mindset on Modern Cross Stitch.
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