Can you "fix" it by adding a few stitches so it'll more closely resemble the picture? I've had to make a few minor adjustments over the years.

I've never worked on black fabric and don't know if it runs. However, I would be very careful with it because wool does shrink as well as lose shape, pill, etc. I was a big knitter at one time and have done my fair share of ruining sweaters. Specialty yarns like mohair, angora, alpaca, etc are very sensitive to temperature and manipulation. If in doubt contact the manufacturer. Use cold water only and let it soak for a couple of minutes, rinse and roll in a towel. No squeezing and use nothing that contains fabric softener.

Hi,
I would agree with Texas about washing something with wool in it. I have done some patterns on a black background but I can't remember if I washed the material. If you decide to wash material I strongly suggest cold water.

Many thanks for the washing hints. I might try a wee corner of the fabric only to see if the black runs. As for the missing stitches, I have added a few to resemble the picture. Also with this kit you have to be really careful with the amount of wool provided; save every thread-able scrap, especially the off white #5, I barely made it; there's no leeway for mistakes nor unpicking and ruining the wool.

Congratulations, Pixie. I could never have stitched this pattern. I don't like stitching on dark fabrics and don't like dark and similar colors. I like bright and flashy stuff and frequent color changes. In other words easy to see. I tried wool once - needlepoint on canvas - and could not get the hang of it.
It's great that so many different products are available and we can all find our niche.
Does it even require washing? Usually the piece has to be ironed after washing, be very careful. Wool does not like to be ironed. I hope some of the experts here will advise on the ironing part.
It's black, so if there is a tiny bit of grime on it, it won't show.

I did Tuxedo Potted Cat for my eldest daughter, then my youngest daughter picked out the Russian Cat. So I really couldn't say no - this was just my forth project since I started to do embroidery again, after a huge break from when I did a 3 year course in the 80's. When I first started it I almost went bonkers with the black fabric and wool, but I don't give up that easily. I have plenty of time being that I'm now coming up to 69 years of age and have been retired for the past 4 years. As you say why wash it - it's not dirty, so probably just needs to be ironed face down with a cloth on top.

Hi Pixie:

What a beautiful cat. I just love this design and it must be beautiful completed. Not too long ago I tried to find out about after care for these Riolis kits with wool/acrylic blend thread and it does not seem that anyone is sure. Just a month ago I spoke to a shop owner who sells Riolis kits, and she said that other customers who had stitched the Riolis kits did not wash the piece when they were finished. Like the others here have said, proceed cautiously with washing, and especially ironing, as wool is a very delicate and fussy fiber. Please let us know what you end up doing and how things work out.

I am in the minority, I suppose, but I am never above using what few feminine wiles that I have in order to get info out of men, even by phone. Use the phone! It is cheap research. Call, or even go by, two different dry cleaners. They can tell you what their training says.

It has always worked for me, even when I spilled a full gallon of paint into my husband's new Father's Day recliner. The advice worked perfectly and no one ever could tell that anything had ever occurred! I was lucky it happened on the folowing weekend, so I think the free advice was partly because he didn't want to make a Saturday house call. Hmmm.

I decided to test a corner of the fabric in warm water to see if the dye was going to run - all good, so I went ahead with the washing, rinsed, then rolled it in a towel before pinning it to a covered coat hanger to dry. Today I ironed it under a cloth, stretched and laced it onto black card and framed it in a native NZ timber frame. It looks great - I'm really pleased with the outcome. Thank you everyone for all your helpful hints.