Hand Embroidery Guide for the Christmas Gnome & Tree Design

This design is wonderfully textured and uses classic stitches to mimic the fluffy thread-painted look shown in your reference. For an 8-inch hoop, the entire pattern can be comfortably completed with **one skein of each color**, except white and red, which may require **two skeins** due to heavy fill stitching.

Fabric & Preparation

Use **white or cream cotton**, tightly woven, stretched firmly in an 8-inch hoop.
Transfer the design using transfer paper, lightbox, or water-erase pen.

Work with **2 strands** of floss for all fill stitches, and **1 strand** for backstitch details and fine outlines.
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# **COLOR & STITCH GUIDE**

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## **The Gnome’s Hat and Coat (Warm Christmas Red)**

Use **DMC 321 (Red)** or **DMC 817 (Coral Red)** depending on your preferred warmth.

– Fill the hat and coat using **long and short stitch** to create the thick, cozy texture.
– Use directional strokes that follow the shape: downward curves on the hat, and vertical strokes on the coat.
– Add subtle shading with **DMC 347 (Very Dark Salmon)** in the lower folds using long and short stitch.
– Outline edges with **1 strand** of DMC 321 in **backstitch**.

**Skeins needed:** 2 skeins of DMC 321.
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## **Gnome’s Beard (Soft Nordic White)**

Use **DMC 3865 (Winter White)** or **B5200 (Bright White)** for a slightly sheen finish.

– Work the beard entirely in **long and short stitch**, using delicate directional curves to mimic the flow of hair.
– Add subtle depth with sparse strands of **DMC 642 (Beige Gray)** gently blended in.

**Skeins needed:** 1 skein white.
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## **Gnome’s Skin (Nose & Hands)**

Use **DMC 945 (Tawny)** or **DMC 754 (Peach)** for a soft flesh tone.

– Fill the nose with **long and short stitch** using 2 strands.
– Add a light blush effect using a thread or two of **DMC 352 (Coral)** blended into the lower part.
– The hands (mittens) are worked with **DMC 840 (Beige Brown)** in **satin stitch** for a soft rounded feel.

**Skeins needed:** 1 skein for skin, 1 skein for mittens.
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## **Boots**

Use **DMC 838 (Dark Coffee Brown)**.

– Use **fishbone stitch** for directional texture OR **densely packed long and short stitch**.
– Outline with 1 strand of DMC 838.

**Skeins needed:** 1 skein.
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# **CHRISTMAS TREE**

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## **Tree Branches**

Use **DMC 895 (Dark Hunter Green)** for the main fill and **DMC 702 (Kelly Green)** for accents.

– Fill the branches using **long and short stitch**, following the natural curve of the pine needles.
– Add cluster shading at the mid-branch area using **DMC 890 (Ultra Dark Pistachio Green)**.
– Add a few highlight touches using single stitches of **DMC 704 (Bright Chartreuse)**.

**Skeins needed:** 1 skein 895, 1 skein 702.
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## **Tree Trunk**

Use **DMC 975 (Golden Brown)** or **DMC 801 (Coffee Brown)**.

– Use **satin stitch** horizontally to give a grain-like feel.
– Outline in backstitch with one strand.

**Skeins needed:** 1 skein.
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## **Star Tree Topper**

Use **DMC 972 (Deep Canary)** for the main fill, and **DMC 307 (Lemon)** for highlights.

– Fill with **satin stitch** radiating outward to give the star a dimensional effect.
– Add a few tiny long stitches from center to tips for sparkle.

**Skeins needed:** 1 skein of 972.
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## **Ornaments**

Use:

– **DMC 666 (Bright Red)** for red baubles
– **DMC 972 or 3822 (Gold)** for gold baubles
– Each ornament is filled with **satin stitch**, using 2 strands.
– Add a tiny white highlight spot in **DMC B5200** with a single satin stitch.
– Outline with one strand for crisp edges.

**Skeins needed:** 1 skein each color.
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# **BACKGROUND DETAILS**

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## **Snowflakes**

Use **DMC 3033 (Very Light Mocha Brown)**, **Ecru**, or **DMC 3865** for subtle snowflakes.

– Snowflakes are stitched with **straight stitch** combinations and tiny 1-strand **backstitch** lines.
– Keep them light and airy.

**Skeins needed:** 1 skein (you’ll barely use any).
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# **THREAD COUNT & TOTAL SKEIN ESTIMATE FOR AN 8-INCH HOOP**

Most colors require **only 1 skein**, but heavy-fill areas need more.

You will need:

– **2 skeins Red (hat + coat)**
– **1 skein White (beard)**
– **1 skein Skin tone**
– **1 skein Mittens**
– **1 skein Brown (boots)**
– **1 skein Dark green**
– **1 skein Bright green**
– **1 skein Golden yellow (star + ornament)**
– **1 skein Red (ornaments—can share with coat if you bought 2 skeins)**
– **1 skein Brown (tree trunk)**
– **1 skein Neutral for snowflakes**

Total recommended: **11 skeins** (10 if you reuse the red).
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# **FINAL NOTES**

Work slowly on the long-and-short areas, keeping stitches short and layered. The charm of this design comes from the rich texture created by stacked stitch direction. Use a needle size **7 or 8**, and keep the fabric very taut throughout.