18 Count Silver Flecked White Aida Cloth Precut Cross Stitch Fabric 19x21 in by Zweigart 3793/17

Stitch on Silver Flecked White, an 18 count Aida cloth by Zweigart: a white Aida woven with a fine silver metallic fleck for a frosty sparkle. The metallic thread catches the light, so even simple motifs sparkle.

A little stitcher's folklore: metallic threads were once real gold and silver wrapped around silk and kept for church and court embroidery; a touch of shimmer in the cloth nods to that tradition.

Why this fabric: 18 count Aida gives fine detail and a smooth look for portraits, small motifs and ornaments, and it matches charts written for 36 count linen worked over two. This shade suits Christmas, wedding and winter designs.

In the pack: one precut piece of Zweigart Aida, cotton woven with a metallic thread, 18 count (7 squares per cm), in Silver Flecked White. 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 26 tapestry needle, using one or two strands of floss. Press with a cool iron through a cloth to protect the shimmer.

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 265 x 300 stitches. It is a good piece to keep in the stash or to tuck into a gift for a stitching friend.