The dovecote

A Provençal stone dovecote, with a tree and a cypress overlooking a field of lavender in bloom and a few birds in the sky. The design is printed in colour straight onto the canvas, so there is no counting involved: you simply follow the shades as you see them.

The work is done in half cross stitch, with all the stitches slanting the same way; Pénélope canvas is stiff and double-threaded, so it can be stitched in the hand. Threads are not included: choose them separately, in tapestry wool or cotton, matching the printed colours, and use a blunt tapestry needle. The tall narrow shape suits a framed picture or a wall panel; the frame is not supplied.