The Bloom of Fragile Hope

A bouquet of hydrangeas and lilacs in soft pinks and lilacs, arranged in a pale ceramic jug: a floral design with plenty of colour shading, worked in counted cross stitch from the chart. The backstitch, given on a separate sheet, outlines the petals and the jug once the cross stitch is finished.

The kit includes everything needed to stitch the design, fabric included; you only need a hoop or frame and a small pair of scissors. With 49 colours and a generous stitched area it is a project that calls for some patience and a little experience. The fabric is cut well beyond the design, leaving a margin for framing the finished piece.