Here's the last of the three stockings from the kit.

The stocking is stitched on 14 count cotton aida with two strands of cotton floss for the Xs and one strand for the backstitching. Though I washed the finished stitching and didn't have a problem with the colors running, the kit recommends setting the dye in the floss. I don't think this floss is of the best quality. It has a habit of tangling, snagging and knotting. The back of the stocking is white cotton in a batiste weight.

I'm not sure what the gold metallic thread is, but it was great to work with. It's very smooth and easy to stitch with, even when stitching with longer lengths. There is another gold, a cord about 3 times as thick as the thread, that is used as the hanging loop and is also couched around the edge of the stocking (hard to see in the scanned image). Like most metallics, it has a tendency to fray at the ends.

I made up the cross-stitched alphabet for Dale's name rather than using the alphabet suggested in the kit because my daughter wanted red letters outlined in gold. The suggested alphabet is backstitched only. The gold outlining also does not show up well.

If you'd like to learn more about various ways to finish ornaments, read the page in Needlework 101 called Ornaments: Finishing Techniques

Pattern name:	"C"
Kit Name:	Cross-stitch Ornament Kit No. 482
Designer:	Titan Needlework
Stitch Count:	42 x 66
Fabric:	14 count white cotton aida
Floss:	cotton
Cost:	gift
Copyright year:	1985

Ceres Industries Corp.
Santa Ana, CA

Back to Cameo's Corner: 1999
On to next project: Monogram Lace Hardanger Sachet