“Using a variety of stitches and lots of clever
shading, Carol has once again captured a
rather idyllic little corner of the English
countryside. I am sure it will make a
challenging yet rewarding stitch.”
Fiona Baker, Technical Editor
Spring sky
We’ve chosen an ice
blue evenweave for
the background of this
design, as it creates the
feel of a bright spring
day – it’s the perfect
backdrop for my cherry
blossom trees in shades
of pink, blue and red.
Gently down
the stream
Tied up to the wall,
ready for a gentle trip
down the river, a little
rowing boat adds extra
detail in the foreground
of this scene. I’ve used a
bit of backstitch here, to
help define the boat, as
well as some touches
on the house to add
detail to the windows.CAROL THORNTON’S
Designer Secrets
Spring cottage
Stitch in natural daylight
or with a Daylight bulb,
as there are lots of similar
stone and grey shades
used for the cottageStitch tip
Cross stitch in two strands
DMC Anchor Madeira
209 98 803 lilac
211 342 801 light lilac
307 289 104 yellow
369 1043 1309 almond green
3 7 0 8 5 5 2111 k h a k i
372 853 2110 light khaki
453 231 1806 shell grey
472 253 1414 let tuce gre en
502 877 1703 sage green
613 831 2109 beige
646 8581 1812 stone grey
648 900 1814 light stone grey
712 926 2101 cream
747 158 1104 sky blue
762 234 1804 grey
793 176 906 cornflower blue
800 144 908 blue
819 271 501 baby pink
893 33 413 carnation pink
907 255 1308 green
932 1033 1710 delft blue
3011 845 1607 field green
3033 391 1908 brown
3345 268 1406 forest green
3364 260 1603 pine green
3688 66 605 pink
3689 49 607 light pink
3799 236 1713 charcoal grey
3813 1042 1701 light sage green
3865 2 2403 natural white
Backstitch in one strand- –––– 3799 236 1713 charcoal grey
French knots in one strand
3688 66 605 pink
3689 49 607 light pink
STITCH COUNT 160 high x 160 wide
DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) –
29x29cm (11½x11½in)
SKEINS NEEDED 2x646 (stone grey), 2x648 (light
stone grey), 2x3011 (field green), 2x3865 (natural white)
STITCHED BY Hazel Henry
This design was stitched using DMC stranded cotton on
28-count evenweave over two threads of the fabric
Spring cottage key