Twist and Sprout Guinea Pig Christmas Card Counted Cross Stitch Kit by Bothy Threads XMAS58

Stitch Twist and Sprout, a counted cross stitch kit by Bothy Threads — a guinea pig in a Santa hat sits on a pile of Brussels sprouts beneath the words 'Twist and Sprout' in gold.

A little stitcher's folklore: guinea pigs are neither pigs nor from Guinea; they come from the Andes of South America.

Why this kit: based on artwork by Hannah Dale of Wrendale Designs, it is stitched on speckled Aida with gold metallic lettering and mounts into a cream triple-fold card. Lana woolly thread, fluffed with the Velcro provided, gives the hat its trim.

Kit includes: 16-count Zweigart Aida printed with an exclusive speckled background, pre-sorted stranded cottons, metallic gold thread, Lana woolly thread, Velcro, a cream triple-fold card mount and envelope, a needle and a clear stitch diagram and instructions. Stitches used: full cross stitches, a few fractional stitches, back stitch and two French knots. The card mount frames the finished stitching, so no extra frame is needed.

Stitch the guinea pig and sprouts in cross stitch from the centre, then add the fractionals, gold lettering, back stitch and French knots, and mount the finished piece in the card.

Finished size: 10×16 cm (3.9×6.3 in). A cheeky card for sprout lovers and haters alike.