The Day when Flowers

A delicate portrait: a girl with long auburn hair wearing a crown of roses and peonies, framed by pink and white blossom. The shading of skin, hair and petals calls for frequent colour changes, so this design suits stitchers who already have some experience of counted work and are comfortable following a chart full of soft tones.

Linen is usually worked over two threads with one strand of stranded cotton, which keeps the shading smooth; french knots and long stitches finish details such as the flowers. The frame is not included, nor are hoop and scissors: keeping the fabric taut in a hoop or scroll frame helps keep the stitches even. Once finished, it makes a picture to hang or to give as a gift.