Yes it said it is cross stitch no other.

Red, I have this pattern in my stash and I pulled it out to tell you that the pattern is done in full stitches and back stitching. There are accent 1/2 stitches through Santa's beard and glove, but not a lot. When I work on this I'm going to do the back stitching as I go along (because I don't like doing it). Hope this helps - it's a really colorful pattern.

Maubennet, thank you for the details. I have often wondered if it isn't easier to back stitch as you progress through the pattern, I'm older now and my patience to very detailed backstitching is not what it used to be. I thought about adding some glitter using DMC jewel floss or a filament thread in certain parts of the pattern. I love the sparkle that these specialty threads give, although I have found that some are easier to work with than others. Have you ever tried using them? Have a nice day!

Red, I have tried the metallic floss. I saw on youtube that instead of using 2 threads at once then use 1 strand and do the cross stitch twice. It works a lot better and to use shorter floss so it doesn't unravel or tear. Thanks for the "have a good day". I just came from the dentist and want to crawl back into bed.

Been there and done that. I can sympathize with you. I have what you would call the other end of Hollywood teeth. Most of my front teeth have a bonding on them for when my birth mother was carrying me she was given some medication that distorted the enamel. Two years with a full set of railroad tracks didn't help either. Crowns, Caps, and Cavities...that's me! Hope you and your mouth feel better today.

I never heard of stitching a single thread twice in place of two threads with the metallic. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll have to try that. I'm assuming you make the bottom half stitch twice then crossing over with the finishing top stitch twice. Does it lay flatter this way?

I'm still trying to finish a project that is going on three years in the making and I'm getting tired of working on it. May I ask what motivates you to finish a long overdue project?