Kittens Cat Needlepoint Canvas by Seg de Paris SE926.199

Stitch Kittens, a printed needlepoint canvas by Seg de Paris: two fluffy tabby kittens sitting side by side on a garden wall framed by green leaves.

A little stitcher's folklore: cats have kept people company since ancient Egypt, and stitchers say every needlework basket needs a cat to guard it. Needlepoint on printed canvas grew out of the great French tapestry tradition, and half stitch is the same stitch used on many antique chair seats and cushions.

Why this canvas: the full-colour print shows exactly where each shade goes, so there is no chart to count and you can simply relax and stitch; it is printed on genuine Zweigart canvas in France, so the mesh stays square and the colours stay crisp from the first stitch to the last; and buying the threads yourself means you choose the look: Colbert wool for a classic tapestry finish, or Mouliné and Pearl cotton for a finer sheen.

Canvas includes: one Zweigart 10-count canvas (100% cotton, 40 holes per 10 cm), designed and printed in France with the design in full colour, and a thread list naming the DMC Mouliné, Colbert wool, Retors and Pearl cotton shades to buy. Stitch used: half stitch. Not included: threads, needle and frame, which are sold separately.

Match each printed colour to the thread list, then cover the canvas in half stitch, working the main shapes first and the background last. Mounting the canvas on stretcher bars or a frame keeps it square, and a tapestry needle size 20 to 22 suits the 10-count mesh.

Canvas size: 40×50 cm (15.7×19.7 in). A classic size for a framed tapestry picture or a pillow front. It looks at home in a reading nook, a bedroom or a living room, and makes a thoughtful gift for cat owners and anyone who loves cats.