Swimming School

The printed background of blue splashes and bubbles reproduces Hannah Dale's original watercolour: the turtles are worked in counted cross stitch over the print, which stays visible around the figures and gives the scene its depth. Backstitch and a few French knots pick out the details, while the fractional stitches are only needed on the softer outlines.

The stranded cottons come ready sorted by colour on the organiser, so you can start stitching without winding or separating skeins first. A hoop or frame and a small pair of embroidery scissors are useful but not part of the kit, and neither is a frame for mounting. A good choice for stitchers with a little experience who love animal designs.