Ornament Round Reindeer Stitched

 

Create this design as a large-scale gift tag that doubles 
as a tree or wreath ornament. 

Nordic-style “stick figure” reindeer motif is 

hand cross stitched in a single color (or add contrast eye 

if desired) onto a doubled stitching layer, 

with opt. stitching buffer layer, front edge border and 

solid back round ornament silhouettes. 

Top “collar” accents are added front and back. 

Punch hole allows for tying decorative narrow ribbon or cord, 

adding hanging hook. 

Stitching chart included. 

Measures just under 3: wide x 4.125” tall when completed. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A stitching hole shape (2)

B buffer layer for stitching

C ornament front "frame"

D ornament back   E "collar" shapes (2)

2. Prepare the stitching shapes by poking through holes

to make sure any "crumbs" detach and can be

brushed away and removed. Easiest tool may be

a bent-open standard paperclip.

3. Layer and attach the stitching shapes, taking care

that all outer cut edges and stitching holes are

as precisely aligned as possible.

Once the stitching shapes are glued together,

place on a flat surface and press flat with a heavy,

flat weight such as a thick book, until thoroughly

dried, several hours or over night.

4. Assemble the supplies and tools for the embroidery

cross stitch, including red and ivory/cream 6-ply floss,

tapestry needle 24/26 size.

5. Cut a 36-40 inch length of floss, then separate

two single plies from the cut length.

6. Place the two plies together, then bend in half

to bring the four cut ends together, taking care

to even out the center loop where folded.

Thread the loops through the eye of the needle, then

pull the loop long, to leave 4-5" of the cut tails

beyond the needle eye. The loop is the long end.

7. Study the following diagram to learn how the cross stitches

are formed with a row of LEFT SLANT stitches across

the row, followed by the RIGHT SLANT stitches

coming back across the row. Always create the stitches

in the same fashion, to give the work a consistent

appearance. This may require changing the order

or placement of the numbered insertions.

8. Refer to the stitching diagram, either on screen

of from a printed copy, to identify the left end of

the bottom row of the reindeer body, where 

the first set of four "corner" holes will hold the first cross stitch 

of that row, on diagram and on stitching shape.

9. A) Insert the loaded needle UP from backside through

the top left of the four bottom left set of stitch holes.

B) Pull the the thread through, leaving approx. 5-6 inches

of the loop end still beyond the stitching surface.

C) Create the first RIGHT SLANT stitch by inserting

 the needle down through right bottom hole of the first

four of the first stitch set, then . . . 

. . . on the backside, insert the needle through

the loop and . . . 

. . . pull up tight.

10. Insert needle through the second "top" hole

on first body row, then . . . 

. . . complete the second RIGHT SLANT stitch.

Work downward to stitch the front-most foreleg

RIGHT SLANT stitches, then . . . 

. . . work back upward to complete the cross stitches

of that leg. Next, work toward right two more RIGHT SLANT

stitches, then down the second foreleg.

11. Continue the same procedure, working across body

bottom row to arrive at back legs and work downward

to complete those. Once the end of the first body row

is completed, work back toward left of work to complete

the LEFT SLANT stitches of that row.

12. When thread load has been used up, tie off

as follows:

A) carry thread to backside in the usual stitching process.

B) slide needle under 3-4 stitches, then . . . 

. . . pull thread fully through and trim excess next

to surface of stitching shape.

13. Continue to work the cross stitches upward

to complete reindeer, noting the "blank" place

that represents the "eye". Tie off at the end.

14. Position and attach the buffer cut out shape

on the backside of the stitched panel.

(This shape provides a place for the thread thickness

to lie without distorting the tree edges too much.)

15. Position and attach the front frame over

the stitching layers assembly.

16.  Position and attach the back whole ornament

panel.

17. Position and attach the accent collar shapes

on front and back.

Place the glued-up assembly under a heavy flat weight

until thoroughly dried.

18. Add a ribbon or cord knot and bow, and attach

to a decorative hook to complete the ornament.