14 Count Light Basalt Splash Aida Cloth Precut Cross Stitch Fabric 19x21 in by Zweigart 3706/1329

Stitch on Light Basalt Splash, a 14 count Aida cloth by Zweigart: a white Aida printed with light basalt-gray paint-splash speckles. 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: 14 count Aida is the most popular cross stitch fabric and the standard for most kits. The clear blocks make counting easy, so it is ideal for beginners, children and bold designs. This shade suits playful modern designs and small motifs where the print can show through.

In the pack: one precut piece of Zweigart Aida, 100% cotton, 14 count (5.4 squares per cm), in Light Basalt Splash. Not included: chart, floss, needle and hoop, sold separately.

Getting started: overcast or tape the edges, fold to find the centre and stitch one cross over each block with a size 24 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 53 cm (19 x 21 in). Stitched one cross per block with a 2 in margin all round, it fits a design of about 205 x 235 stitches. One piece is plenty for a framed sampler, a pillow front or several small ornaments.