Zoemaat,
I searched all the counted cross stitch sites I'm familiar with and not one could I find a better description for the details. Hopefully ECS will come through with an answer for you. I tried to enlarge the pattern on my computer and it was hard to tell if the more outline areas were FS or BS. I don't care for too much back-stitching myself, the less the better. Of course that is age talking!!! It is a beautiful pattern!

The Kooler designs that I have seen all have lots of backstitching/outlining -- not something I like to do either.

I love to do the back stitching! It makes the picture come alive. I often use a smaller needle for the bs as it is easier to get into the right holes

~Sharon, the Contrarian

Sharon, you aren't the only one on here that values backstitching...but I use a running stitch--goes faster, back is neater. :) I also use a smaller needle when coverage is tight. :)

I just heard back from Kooler Designs and they said that there are 5 colors in straight stitch and 6 colors in backstitch. The pattern is printed in black & white and in 10 count making it easier to read. The SS and BS are printed in color making it easier to navigate. I hope this has shined a little light on your question. With the other replies, do you think you'll still do it?

Sharon, What size needle do you use for backstitching or straight stitch? I usually work on either 28 ct evenweave or 14 aida. Once in a while I'll run into a pattern that calls for 16 ct evenweave. I'm accustomed to using a size 24 needle for stitching.

I had to add this pattern to my wish list!

Thanks for all of the replies. A special thanks to redbeesz for finding out exactly how many colors use backstitch. I think I will keep this on my wishlist, not ruling it out completely. Happy that others enjoyed looking at this design. What a great community!

redbeez, I usually stitch with a size 24 needle on 14 count and 26 on all else. When back stitching, I often go down to a John James 28 petite if the stitching is full.

And yes, before someone asks, I've recently invested' in mag eyes since I prefer to stitch on higher count fabric and I have 67 5/6 old eyes. They weren't nearly as expensive as I'd been led to believe. Maybe they used to be more expensive, but if I'd known they were only about $30, I'd probably have purchased them a decade earlier.

Ergh, backstitching. :P I know it helps the design but my main beef with it is, the lines cover up the symbols! Many a time I thought I had finished with a particular color and switch to another only to find one or two spaces left because the blasted back stitching lines concealed itl!!! >_<

They can sure be a pain sometimes.