Secret Rendezvous

A scene straight out of a period novel: the gilded carriage waits on the path, two grey horses stand harnessed, a small dog sniffs about in the foreground and a castle rises behind the blossoming trees. The whole picture is worked in counted cross stitch on unprinted white Aida, following the colour symbol chart — start from the centre and work area by area.

With 47 colours and a generous design, this is a project to enjoy slowly and suits stitchers with some experience. The threads come ready sorted on the organiser, so there is no sorting to do before you begin; a hoop or frame and good light help a great deal. The frame is not included: the finished piece makes a wide horizontal picture.