Forget me not

A gentle scene by Anita Jeram: two mice cuddling under the blue flowers of a forget-me-not, with the motto worked in back stitch. The design is stitched in counted cross stitch on Aida, following the chart square by square, and the stranded cottons come already sorted on a card organiser, so there is nothing to prepare before you begin.

Alongside the kit it helps to have a hoop or frame and a small pair of embroidery scissors; the frame shown in the photo is not included. The handful of French knots is easy to pick up and gives the flower centres a little texture. The finished piece suits a small wall frame or makes a keepsake gift.