Top Dog

A tower of comical dogs climbing on each other's backs, drawn by Margaret Sherry: grinning faces, wagging tails and plenty of shaded fur in beige, grey and brown. The tall narrow shape suits a portrait frame, in a hallway or above the dog bed.

The design is worked in counted cross stitch on white Aida, following the chart; backstitch outlines the shapes and French knots pick out eyes and noses. Nothing here is technically hard, though the many shades call for care in reading the symbols. The frame is not included; a hoop or frame to hold the fabric is also handy.