28 Count White Gray Mini Dots Cashel Linen Precut Cross Stitch Fabric 19x27 in by Zweigart 3281/1129

Stitch on White Gray Mini Dots, a 28 count Cashel linen by Zweigart: a white linen printed with tiny gray mini dots. The pattern is printed, so the fabric does the decorating and your stitching sits on top.

A little stitcher's folklore: scattered dots on old linen were once worked by hand as seeding stitches to fill a background; a printed dot fabric gives that scattered look ready-made.

Why this fabric: Cashel is a 28 count linen, a little more open than Belfast, so it is easy on the eyes and the most forgiving linen to start with. Worked over two it gives 14 stitches per inch, the scale of 14 count Aida. This shade suits playful modern designs and small motifs where the print can show through.

In the pack: one precut piece of Zweigart Cashel, 100% linen, 28 count (11.2 threads per cm), in White Gray Mini Dots. Not included: chart, floss, needle and hoop, sold separately.

Getting started: overcast the edges, fold to find the centre and stitch over two threads with a size 26 tapestry needle, using two strands of floss. The pattern is printed, so each piece varies a little; buy enough for a whole project at once, and test a corner before washing a finished piece.

Size: 48 x 68 cm (19 x 27 in). Worked over two with a 2 in margin all round, it fits a design of about 205 x 315 stitches. Pair it with a chart and floss for a ready-to-start stitching gift.