When I saw Abigail Cecile’s latest release of designs I knew I HAD to stitch this Scandinavian Santa. There’s just something about him! I think it’s partially the beautiful and vibrant colors he’s painted in. (That blue his bag of toys is painted in is one of my all time favorite colors). But also the sweet simplicity of the design itself. When the canvas came into the store I couldn’t put it down. I think I had the whole ornament finished in a day and a half.
The background is done in a darning pattern- which is a really fun and quick way to fill in a large open space. Darning patterns are made up of running stitches worked straight across the canvas. This means the stitches are worked without “backstitching.” If you flip your canvas over, you will see very little thread on the back of it. Below you will find a stitch diagram for an example of a darning pattern. Make sure you pay attention to the numbering and try it for yourself on a project at home!
I loved working on this ornament so much that we’ve kitted a limited number at Needlepoint.Com and turned it into an online class. The kit comes with a handpainted canvas, all of the threads you will need to complete the project and a stitch guide. It also includes access to technique videos that you can watch over and over again. It’s the perfect little project to squeeze in before the finishing deadlines hit!
