About this pattern
Nothing says winter to me like a red cardinal against snow and evergreen. This one is fluffed up on a pine bough with a few red berries tucked underneath, and the snow sitting along the branches.
The pattern uses 10 DMC colors: three reds for the cardinal and berries, two blue-greens for the pine needles, crisp white snow with a soft blue shadow, a black-brown mask and a little orange beak. The pine needles are stitched in solid fan shapes rather than fiddly single stitches, so they come together nicely.
It's 64 x 64 stitches, about 4.6 inches square on 14 count Aida. That's perfect for a 6 inch hoop, a small square frame, or the front of a handmade Christmas card. I like it on cream fabric so the white snow stands out.
It makes a wonderful gift for a bird watcher or for someone who sees cardinals as a little visit from a loved one. It's a cheerful stitch to work on while the Christmas music plays.
