NOTE: Click each diagram for an enlarged view.

1. Find center of fabric by folding it in half both ways; mark with thread or washable marker.

2. Using 18-inch (46 cm.) strands, separate plies. Place the required number of plies (2) side by side and thread needle.

3. Determine starting point by finding center of design (marked by side arrows on chart) and counting up and left from center to symbol at upper left corner.  Begin stitching at this point.

4. Place fabric in hoop. Pull floss through fabric leaving 1" extending on wrong side. Hold in place so that end is overcast by first stitches taken. Never knot thread.

5. Work all the stitches in an area of the same color at one time.

6. Work each stitch according to Figure 1, crossing each “X” in the same direction.

7. To end thread, weave through several stitches on the wrong side. Cut end close to work.

8. Fill in background of border using Anchor Floss in color 976.

9. After stitching background of border, backstitch tiny stars on top of each tree using 1 strand Anchor 1 Metallic gold. Stitch stars as an X with a horizontal stitch through it (Figure 2).

10. Work all cross-stitch first, including quarter stitches, then do backstitching (Figure 3) and french knots last (Figure 4).

Backstitch
1. Star on larger tree using Anchor 1 Metallic gold (2 strands).

2. Strings from reindeer’s antlers using Anchor Metallic gold (2 strands). Attach a tiny bow at top of each (1 strand).

3. Tie bows at top of boots using Anchor black (1 strand).

4. Form whiskers by running floss (382) under from one side of face and out on the other, allowing whiskers to hang loosely from either side of face (see photo).

5. All other backstitching using Anchor 382.

French Knots
(Steps a and b)
1. Eyes on Santa and large reindeer use 2 strands of Anchor 382.

2. Eyes on tiny reindeer in pocket use 1 strand of Anchor 382.

Quarter (1/4) Cross-stitch (Fig 5):
Come up at 1; then go down at 2, crossing only 1 thread on the Lugana fabric instead of 2. On the chart, quarter stitches are indicated in one half a square where backstitching crosses diagonally.

If thread twists while stitching, let needle dangle so that thread unwinds.

Mark off sections of stitches on chart as you work.

Prevent threads shadowing through on the front of project by ending threads, rather than making long stitches on back of work.

Work from left to right, starting at the top. Avoid jumping from one area of design to another, as it is easy to miscount.