Back Issues

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Embark on an exciting mission into the cosmos of needlework design! Discover new and favourite techniques to create projects inspired by the planets and stars. The night sky offers a boundless source of inspiration for needlecraft enthusiasts. In addition to the stellar projects, the issue also includes fun and inspiring horoscopes for quilters. Projects range from a starburst quilt to quilts that re-imagine the universe, playful knitted socks inspired by Carl Sagan's Mars Jars experiment, and an elegant shawl that mirrors the galaxy. So, cross-stitch the moon, embroider the stars, and blast off to new creative heights. Get the issue today and break free from your earthly rut!  

Order by Sunday, January 15th, and get FREE SHIPPING! US/Canada only. Starts shipping last week of January.

From the practical and ordinary tiles to the most sublime tilework designs created in the world, tilework is an abundant source of ideas to apply to the needle arts across all categories. The designers in this issue have drawn from cultural influences and modern tilework to explore the techniques to interpret tile designs into lovingly crafted needlework projects. Quilting techniques explored in this issue are appliqué, free motion quilting, working with half-square triangles, and machine embroidery. Consider one tile as your quilt block and you have the starting point for your quilt pattern. In knitting, tilework is expressed using lacework and mosaic knitting. Mosaic knitting can be daunting for some of us but trying it out by making a cushion cover is like knitting a larger swatch. You must try crocheting Ruth Forbes’s Spring Posy Cushion Cover. This is an advanced skill-level project but worth sinking your crochet hook into. It’s made up of four “tiles” or “swatches” that display beautiful bouquets of posies in relief, mimicking embossed tiles. Breaking the project down to making one swatch at a time is an excellent way to learn intricate stitches. The issue wouldn’t be complete without embroidery options. It seems to me that embroideries in general look sculpted or chiselled, where the work is raised from the background as in many tile examples. We just scratched the surface of design possibilities! I hope you enjoy tilework as an inspiring source for your needlework designs.  

"Inspired by Landscapes"...In this issue we are fascinated with depicting landscapes across a variety of needle arts! Join us as we show you how to recreate your favourite landscapes using methods of all skill levels and artistic interpretations. We capture the essence of famous landscapes found in fine art and explore these in knitting and show you how to use your favourite photos as the basis for your original pieces of fibre art. You’ll find the content a good place to start! Only you can imagine how far you’ll take it. Before you know it, you’ll be in the zone, running across the plentiful fields of creativity with fabric and thread in hand.  

"Inspired by Words"...this heartwarming issue includes projects featuring words inspired by the Covid experience. The projects offer quilting and sewing techniques that show you the many ways to express words in your projects like working with metallic threads, ribbon machine embroidery, and creating words using quilting techniques. Words are also incorporated in knitting, embroidery, and rug hooking projects, all related to the designers’ experience of the lockdown.  

Read all about it! This issue is dedicated to exploring faces in needlework, starting with exploring several ways of making quilted portraits. Quilting may be a ton of fun, but even the simplicity of patchwork has its learning curve. Outside of the quilt block is a whole new set of design and quilting skills just waiting to be explored. I encourage you to join our designers in their captivating quilting portrait adventures and give making a quilted portrait a whirl! Some skills to explore involve a study in colour and shading, curve piecing, and photo editing capabilities. In knitting and crochet we offer three dog coat patterns, and a special feature on how to go about designing a dog coat to fit your dog. The fun never ends in the company of awesome needlework ideas!

Welcome to another thrilling Issue of ANPTmag! Architecture is the word by which all projects in this issue are inspired, exploring the shape of things and how to reproduce structures on fabric. Herein are several tutorials by our quilting experts to show you how to work from a photo of your favourite structure and the methods and products to use to accomplish the right look for the quilted piece. Architecture is also explored in knitting and crochet, talking about how the structure of a garment is key to a polished, professional look. As for cross stitch, we have castles for you!

This issue is dedicated to those who hold on to cherished textiles in the hope that one day they will be enlightened on how to repurpose them in a new fashion. Call it an upcycling issue if you will, you'll find original ways of transforming knitted and sewn clothing, threads, and cherished items into something new. Also in this issue, are topics like the Monk's cloth crisis, and which cloth is used instead for Swedish weaving, and, Diamond Petals by Judith Marquis, another tutorial on fabric manipulation that looks very much like dragon scales. It's a pleasure to announce we have a new quilting column, The Quilter's Connection, written by Heather McArthur. See what she has to say about what to do with old and worn quilts. And you don't want to miss the solution to the conundrum about stashing yarn, 'To Stash or Not to Stash' written by Knitting Contributor, Cynthia MacDougall. This is a topic we all struggle with, see how Cynthia's experience helps to put what we think of our yarn stash into perspective and clear the yarn clutter without feeling like we're giving up something precious. Enjoy the issue!

Although a rainy day can be very gloomy, it can instantly become an opportunity for crafting bliss! Imagine, raindrops on the window pane and you’re engaged in your favourite needle craft! Let us offer you some exciting suggestions of projects inspired by rainy day activities. In this issue, you’ll find quilts of all sorts inspired by games like dominoes, I spy, hopscotch and word puzzles. Cozy knits, perfect for lounging around the house, including the In the Mood Tunic, the Comfort Crescent Shawl (in the very soft Chic Sheep merino wool yarn) and Colourwash Socks from the Thoughtful Soles Series which will have you singing 'You are My Sunshine' the whole day long! There’s also a tutorial on how to attach buttons using the Designer EPIC, this in a cushion cover project that was born out of sheer button love! And then there’s the cutest duckling wearing cute red boots in the rain – can you resist it? Rainy days are a great opportunity for reorganizing your sewing studio or craft room. Let Cynthia MacDougall help you with great tips on how to sort things out and finish the job for crafting bliss! Join us for a terrific issue!

What to say about our new issue? Pay attention to the details! Details abound and enhance projects taking them from really nice to super special. Take the Purple Cornflower Quilt for example. You'll find loving words like family, love, happiness etc. We encourage you to machine embroider your favourite words across the petals and leaves. Two extraordinary teapot cozies worth taking notice of, one sewn and the other crocheted. This isn't all. There are quilted projects to make using appliqué, free motion quilting, and adding details a little out of the ordinary. Adding bling to our knitted projects, and making the Eggli Vest for a feeling of versatility, wear it 2 ways! Make the Nutcracker Tree in time for Christmas - using only black floss and a little metallic thread for stars. AND we showcase two fascinating women in the world of quilting: Lise Belanger and Galla Grotto. Don't miss their extraordinary pieces of fibre art! You know there's more in this issue...get it, enjoy it!