Pet and Portrait Cross Stitch Guides

Dogs, cats and faces from your own photos: the eyes, the fur, the background, and how long a portrait really takes.

A portrait is the hardest thing to chart from a photo because we notice every small error in a face. These guides deal with what makes pets and people different from other subjects: getting eyes to read at a small size, keeping dark fur from turning into a flat block, handling whiskers and hair with backstitch, and choosing a background that doesn't compete with the subject. They also cover the practical side, such as what size and color count a portrait needs, how long it realistically takes, and how to plan one as a gift or a memorial. If you already have the photo, make a pet portrait pattern from your photo.