Winter House

A brick cottage under the snow, with a fir tree, a lit street lamp and two bullfinches by the steps: a winter scene worked in counted cross stitch following the full-colour symbolic chart. The fabric is white and unprinted, so you count the squares starting from the centre, as the instructions explain.

The threads come ready sorted by colour on an organiser, which keeps the 23 shades tidy while you stitch. You will also need a hoop or frame and a small pair of embroidery scissors; the picture frame is not included. Once finished, the piece makes a seasonal framed picture or can be mounted on a decorative cushion.