Off the cuff

The cuff on this stocking is about 10-1/2 inches wide and three inches deep.  The background was done with Vineyard Silk Classic Natural in a Nobuko stitch, which works up quickly and compensates easily around the letters.

For the name, I sought the advice of the in-house calligrapher at Needle Nicely in Vero Beach, Florida (www.needlenicely.com).  Owner Mary Agnes Rhudy Cussen sent me samples of a large assortment of styles--serifed, sans-serifed, straight, italic and script.  I chose the "Andrew" font, which is 22 canvas threads high and a perfect fit for the intended space.

Using the chart created by the calligrapher, I transferred the letters to the canvas with a permanent marker.  The name was stitched in basketweave using Silk & Ivory Holly.  While a bit of a tight fit on 18-ct. canvas, S & I stands up well against the VSC background and the color blends with the dark green surrounding the nutcracker.