Hi there. This is a kit that means it has everythings in one package. the pattern, the floss, the material, and the needle. this kit is going to be 15 3/4 X 13 3/4 and it has black Aida cloth 14 count.

I am aware of that, but do not want to use the fabric included as I really do not want to use black. I usually avoid kits for that reason as it does not leave me the option to change fabric or thread colors if I want to.

You can do this cross stitch on another color of 14 c Aida cloth and then frame it and hang it on your wall. Maybe you can choose a gray or blue. It will look nice.

Lab I agree with you about kits especially ones this expensive. You can change the fabric and I have done that. The colors you suggest would be good. I guess it just depends on how bad you want to do this picture. I looked around thinking may-be someone might have it as just a download pattern, but no such luck. Sorry I couldn't be more help. This is why 90% of my stitching is just from patterns so I can choose my own preferences without too much expense.

Aida is not expensive & you can use the black for another project. You have a lot of color choices.

I would favor a water tone: dark teal, or a marine blue green.

I love the black; however, how about blue or dark blue. You can also get the marbled fabric which will look like the sky, that would be pretty.

That's the good thing about cross stitching, you can change up anything you want to, color (s) of floss, fabric, etc. Then put the fabric that came with the kit in your stash for another project. How cool is that?

Good Luck. Love the pattern.

lab, it is a stunning piece. Once you receive the kit and see the floss colors you can then make your choice of fabric color. Aida is very affordable. You appear to be an advanced stitcher and will easily find use for the black fabric. If you do change it, then I would go with jlhewes' suggestion and us a water tone.

Can Troy Riegle provide a list of the colors?

Good luck and keep us posted.

PS I like the taupe color in the neck but if you use it then there would be no contrast.