Back in January I mentioned my New Years resolutions, among the cross stitching ones was stitching Emily Peacock’s ‘HUG’ cushion which came as a freebie with Crossstitcher Magazine back in December ’09. I started it in January, but once the materials for the ‘mystery’ wedding sampler arrived in February it was pretty much abandoned.
This month however I had a sudden urge to stitch something with a bit of colour, so when UFO week at the Crossstitchforum started on the 1st I joined in. I should probably explain that UFO stands for UnFinished Object, and the cross stitch forum where I spend some of my time has a UFO week from the 1st to the 7th every month.
In any case, I went into UFO week with the goal of completing the H, and on the 5th this was un fait accompli. As I have a few things to stitch in May I’m going to leave it at that and get going on more birthday cards, there are after all a few more family birthday’s in May, although it’s not as crazy as August.
Here is a picture of how the cushion should look when completed, this is the tapestry version, not the cross stitch version, but the design and colours are pretty much the same.
I recently found out that Miso Funky sell the cross stitch pattern for the KISS cushion, so I shall be acquiring that in the near future.
Now back to the project I’m actually stitching; here is a picture of my complete progress on the ‘HUG’ cushion. My aida is a bit messy after being in the hoop but I’m not going to worry about that until everything is done. The border is the same for the length of the design so the next step is to extend it so it’s over the area where the U will appear, but that will have to wait till next month.
And here is a picture of just the H. I have to admit I didn’t think the green would go very well with the other colours, but now that it’s stitched up it looks great.
The ‘HUG’ cushion is designed by Emily Peacock and stitched on 11 count white aida using three strands of DMC floss as recommended in the chart. All colours used are as charted.
May 10, 2010 @ 11:50:54
Looking great! I have this chart too and fully intend to stitch it at some point, although I think I may make a mini version on a higher count – either 14 or 18 count, as I have an abundance of both. I love the style of it and the colour combinations.
May 10, 2010 @ 20:56:32
I thought about doing it on 16 count, but I have to admit I quite like the chunkiness 3 strands gives it on 11 count
May 18, 2010 @ 17:13:49
Thank you so much for including me in your blog… I hope that soon you will not feel the need to be a member of the UFO Club!
Emily
x
May 18, 2010 @ 21:45:19
Thanks for taking the time to stop by my blog
I too hope I will soon be out of the club and ready to make up my cushion 
Thanks for the fun designs
Jun 08, 2010 @ 23:50:07
It’s looking great! Inspiring me to start stitching it too!
Oct 27, 2010 @ 20:28:53
Love the look of the cushion.
Could you tell me how big the design will be as I was so taken with the design that i’ve just purchased the chart but unsure how much aida to get.
Thanks
Nov 09, 2010 @ 12:50:31
Hi Lesley, thanks for your lovely comment. The size of the cushion does of course depend on what kind aida you get. I stuck with the recommended 11-count so my finished design will be 22 x 62 cm or 8 1/2 x 24 1/2 inches. With the extra fabric allowance for sewing it up my piece of fabric is 35 x 75 cm. The actual stitch count is 93 x 267.
Hope this helps, and good luck with your own stitching xx
Nov 23, 2010 @ 15:17:17
could anyone tell me the wool colours I need ?
many thanks
Sarah
Nov 24, 2010 @ 18:24:14
I adore this cross stitch design I saw the Kiss cushion last night on Kirsty Allsop’s home made show. I’ve just been onto Emily Peacocks website and the cost for the large tapestry cushion is £75, as someone who hasn’t cross stitched in years do you think this is a reasonable price for the whole kit including wool?
Dec 28, 2010 @ 02:44:55
Sarah – Unfortunately I have no idea what the wool colors are as I’ve stitched it with DMC cotton on aida, so not the tapestry version.
Emma – I believe the prices on Emily’s website are the norm for other tapestry kits as well, I don’t do them myself so don’t have much experience with them.
The cross stitch on aida version is much cheaper but you have to kit it up yourself. The chart is available from Misofunky (you can find the link in my post) for £8, and of course floss and fabric is available from all good stitchy shops
Hope this helps
Jan 08, 2011 @ 13:10:12
HI
Could you please tell me if the coloured band at the top and bottom are three rows or four. I have ordered both kiss and hug charts but because of the demand there is a delay but I would like to get started and atleast get the coloured bands and brown bands out of the way. I have already worked out the brown band
Thanks
Helen
Jan 08, 2011 @ 14:23:24
Hi Helen, I’d love to help you out however I feel that giving this information would interfere with the chart’s copyright.
Oct 17, 2011 @ 13:48:12
iv just finished my ‘hug’ cross stitch till some told me i needed to put the cream colour around the ‘hug’ letters too and not to leave it blank what is best to do??
Oct 17, 2011 @ 14:46:34
You are supposed to do that with the tapestry version, but it’s not necessary with the cross stitched version as the holes are much smaller. The chart doesn’t call for it, so it’s entirely a case of what you want to do. I’ve not not sewn mine into a cushion yet, but when i do I plan to back the stitching with white backing fabric so that you can’t see through the holes. Hope this helps.
Mar 19, 2012 @ 13:23:56
Hi, have the chart for the hug cushion, going to cross stitch it, can anybody recommend a good website to purchase threads please
Jul 19, 2012 @ 13:18:49
I have just come across my copy of the HUG chart from cross stitching magazine and it is one of the many things I have been meaning to do! Just had a look on Sew and So website they have all the supplies,I have used them before and they are very good and send out very quickly. Sandra
Jul 20, 2012 @ 18:43:04
I’m a big fan of SewandSo myself, Sandra!
Aug 05, 2012 @ 19:24:23
Hi,
Did you notice any mistakes on the free hug chart? I’ve just started mine and on the page join in the chart there is a discression of 1 stitich on the U and G. On the first half there is 4 stitches of brown at the bottom and the second there is 5, meaning half the U will be bigger than the other. Tad annoyed as I’ve spent my weekend stitching it and the chart is wrong.
Thanks
Sarah