The old manor

A country manor house with its turret reflected in the still water of a pond, a white swan gliding past and flowering shrubs in the foreground: a classic, large-format subject worked in half cross stitch over a design already printed on the canvas. There is no counting involved, you simply cover the printed colours stitch by stitch.

Threads are not included: the required materials list suggests the matching DMC Soft Cotton colours, which can be added to the cart in one go. You will also need a blunt tapestry needle and, if you prefer to work with the canvas taut, a frame. Once finished, the piece is usually framed as a wall picture; the frame is not supplied.