cats, dogs, birds and friends
An animal is known by its gaze, and a gaze fits in three stitches. Cats, dogs, birds: time to stitch yours.
It is what brings a portrait to life: a single stitch of white (DMC B5200) in each eye, and the animal looks back at you. For pupils and nose, a very dark brown (DMC 3371) is softer than black.
Take the photo at its eye level, in good light, then remove the background in the converter. Allow 80 stitches across for a portrait: about 15 cm (6 in) on 14-count aida.
DMC references that come up often on this subject, each with its own page.