The free, new Northern Woods counted thread embroidery project is a sampler of various stitches used on a small scale, and is a perfect project for people who have not yet tried this type of embroidery. The square design can be finished as a coaster (shown) with easy self-fringed edges, or you can finish them as ornaments for the tree and gift tags or knob and scissor fobs.
While this would be considered an intermediate embroidery technique, stitching a counted thread design on a small scale such as this is a great way to learn the basics involved in a counted thread project, including following a stitch chart and working the six different embroidery stitches used in the project.
To make the design appear more complex than it actually is, I have used DMC's Color Variations Thread - a pretty over-dyed floss for the red and green areas - which gives the illusion of using more than just the four colors indicated on the pattern.
While perfect for Christmas stitching (make a set of coasters as a gift!), the seasonal motifs are suitable for use all through the winter months.
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