Puffin Banner

28 count, stitched over 2 strands

Take a trip to the coast with this lifelike portrait, featuring one of Britain's best-loved birds - the puffin. The blue skies and pretty pink wildflowers in the picture instantly evoke that feeling of a warm summer's day, and you can almost smell the salt on the air, thanks to the level of realistic detail. Worked on 28-count evenweave, you'll recreate this stunning piece using a fairly large colour palette and lots of clever shading to create a sense of depth. A variety of stitch types are used in this densely worked design, so if you like a challenge, this project is for you. While it'll take some time to complete, that picturesque view - and compliments on your stitching abilities - are worth it. You will need: Threads: Stranded cotton, as listed in the key Needle: Size 26 tapestry needle Fabric: 28-count white evenweave measuring 45x45cm (17 3/4 x 17 3/4 in) Extras: A wooden dowel measuring 37cm (14 1/2in), backing fabric and ribbon of your choice from local stores Stitching time: Approx 75 hours Type of stitches: Cross stitch, fractionals, half cross stitch, backstitch Level: Intermediate/advanced