Osaka Spring

A fantasy shoe designed by Sally King for the Shoe Art Collection, built from Japanese motifs: breaking waves shaping the heel, a bonsai on the platform, scattered pink blossom and a crane crossing the sky. It is worked in counted cross stitch on plain white Aida, with a little back stitch for the outlines and a single French knot.

Everything you need to stitch is in the box, threads included: you only need scissors and, if you like your fabric taut, a hoop or frame. The kit comes in plastic-free packaging, so it is easy to give as a present. The finished piece looks well framed, ideally without glass touching the stitches; the frame is not included.