Cross Stitch Kit "Mandala"

“Mandala” is a symmetrical pattern in turquoise and crimson with an openwork border.

What the picture shows

The drawing builds outwards from the centre: a dense crimson and violet core with fine ornament, then a crown of eight drops, then broad turquoise heart-shaped petals with scrolls, and along the edge a thin lace of dots and arcs. The canvas shows between the elements, so the pattern reads as light rather than solid. Twenty-four floss colours, 62 m. The symmetry makes the work easier: a quarter of the chart repeats four times. The finest elements — the drops and arcs along the edge — are stitched last, once the centre is finished.

What is in the kit

• Aida canvas, count 14, white, 400×400 mm piece
• Cotton floss, 24 colours, 62 m
• Tapestry needle
• Symbol chart
• Step-by-step instructions
• Fabric for sewing the cushion cover

Specifications

• Design size: 300×300 mm (11.81×11.81 in)
• Base: Aida canvas, count 14, white
• Floss colours: 24
• Floss length: 62 m
• Difficulty: average
• Technique: counted cross stitch

The design is 300×300 mm. Fabric for sewing the cover comes with the kit; the cushion pad is bought separately. A mandala looks equally good on a sofa and framed as a panel. Press the finished piece from the back before sewing so the stitches are not flattened and the pattern stays even. Work from the central rosette outwards: that way all the rings meet evenly.