Village Lake Afternoon

A village on the shore of an Italian lake, with houses reflected in the water in the afternoon light: a landscape full of subtle shading, worked in counted cross stitch from the chart supplied. The 16-count Aida has a fine weave that renders small details crisply, but it does call for good light and some practice at counting.

The kit holds everything needed for the stitching itself, threads and needle included; a hoop or frame and a small pair of scissors are still useful, plus a frame of your choice once the work is done. With this many shades it is worth sorting the skeins onto a thread organiser before you start.