All The World's A Stage

A little parade of Shakespearean characters, each one labelled with the play above his or her head: an armoured king, Bottom with his donkey's ears, Hamlet and his skull. The long, narrow shape suits a landscape frame above a bookcase or in a study, and it always raises a smile with theatre lovers.

The design is worked on white Aida from a counted chart; alongside cross stitch you will use back stitch for the outlines and French knots for the facial details, both easy to pick up from the enclosed instructions. A frame is not included; a hoop and a small pair of embroidery scissors are handy to have beside you.