Cats, perhaps, can be considered the most beloved animals of Russians. Of course, there are many connoisseurs of faithful dogs, funny hamsters, clever budgies or unpretentious aquarium fish. However, admirers of seals are becoming more and more every year. Wayward, but cute pets are embodied in creativity and in amateur craft. Cat motif is especially popular among needlewomen and, first of all, among craftswomen to embroider with thread and beads.
Variety of schemes
Few types of creativity excite imagination as much as cross-stitch. The cat, whose embroidery pattern as if invites to start work, raises the needlewoman’s mood even in the process of creating a picture. Here the famous Cheshire sly smiles, here shows off a businesslike barbel from the unmatched collection of Margaret Sherry in a smart apron, here a tiny kitten curled up in a ball - part of the simplest monochrome design for beginning embroiderers.
The following fact is interesting: domestic developers of needlework kits give preference to cartoon cats, replacing people in everyday situations. These animals go on dates, bake pies according to old recipes, fish with a fishing rod and knit, sitting in a comfortable chair. Indeed, postmodern and related genres have embraced not only literature and cinema, but also such a seemingly autonomous cultural phenomenon as cross-stitch. A cat whose embroidery pattern was created by a Russian manufacturer almost never looks realistic.
Conversely, foreign developers for the most part strive to reflect the real features of animals in the design: a thoughtful and at the same time arrogant look, special, inherent only in cats to become and the splendor of fluffy wool. This is a classic cross-stitch. The cat (the scheme, by the way, most often has a small format) almost always stands, sits or lies in a characteristic pose for him. The exception is individual experimental projects and, of course, inimitable cats from Margaret Sherry.
Breeds
Most people like traditional pussies: British, Persians, Scottish folds. But recently, sphinx cats have been in increasing demand. This is not surprising, because they are ideal as pets for asthmatics and allergy sufferers suffering from the ubiquitous cat hair. If your hobby is cross-stitch, a cat (a pattern can be both domestic and foreign) of the Sphinx breed will be an excellent choice as the main plot of the embroidered picture.
For beginners
Animals are a rather complicated topic for embroidery with threads or beads, however, simplified designs designed for beginning embroiderers can be found in some collections. Is your goal the easiest cross-stitch pattern? A black cat on a white background (monochrome drawing) is the best option: thanks to the use of only one color and the small format of the picture, you can settle a proud handsome man on a canvas in just one evening.