Flowers and Bicycle

A watercolour garden scene: a bicycle resting against the wall, climbing flowers around the window and pots of geraniums on either side. The soft shading of Willem Haenraets' artwork is built up with cross stitch, half cross stitch and long stitch, with outlines worked in back stitch — a project for stitchers with some experience who enjoy subtle colour changes.

Everything needed for the stitching is in the kit; hoop and frame are not included, including the frame shown in the photograph. On 27 count fabric the design is usually worked over two threads, with one or two strands of stranded cotton depending on the coverage you prefer. Once finished, the piece looks its best framed.