Can you give me some ideas on how to make cross-stitched ornaments look extra special?

If you put your stitchery into a small “ornament frame”, make sure you put a pretty ribbon tied in a neat bow on the top. If the design is appropriate and the frame is not too large, you might consider adding lace all around it.

A twisted cord made from floss in the colors used in the cross-stitch may be used in lieu of ribbon on an “ornament frame”. If you sew your ornaments into mini-pillows or “puffs”, a twisted cord around the edge and as a hanger will be quite special. A twisted cord trim is easy to make…you can purchase the Kreinik Custom Corder & Weight or make your own.

Cut your thread 5-6 times as long as the desired finish length. Tie the two ends of the thread together, forming a continuous loop. Pin the knotted end onto a firm surface or get someone to hold it. Place a pencil through the loop end and begin twisting, maintaining a firm tension on it. When the thread is so tightly twisted that when the tension is eased it begins to twist up on itself, pull it out firm again and twist a little bit more. Still maintaining a firm tension on the cord, place a finger in the middle of the cord and fold it at this point so that the pencil and pin are together at one end. Stroke the cord as you release the tension and it will create a nice trim. You can knot the ends or tie them off with a piece of thread. For a thicker cord use a thicker thread or cut your thread twice as long and double it before you begin twisting. You may blend several colors if you wish. For a “candy cane” two-color twist-trim, cut each of two colors half the suggested length, knot end to end, put the knots in the middle, hold the two loop ends and proceed as above. Sew the trim on your ornament using one of the colors in the trim and following the twist of the trim.

Information from Cross Country Stitching Magazine columns "Ask Judie" - Judie Solomon, Thistle Needleworks & "Carol’s Crafty Corner" - Carol Rice, The Craft Menagerie

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