I'm sure you are familiar with Barbara Bergsten's cheerful designs. After all, I've posted about her work often, reently showcasing the charming roly poly Santa Stitches set...
set.http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2012/11/santa-stitches-needlepoint-off-to-the-finishers.html
...each of which was designed to teach a different decorative stitch. Here's Santa Stitches Four, which uses Stairstep stitches.
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2012/11/santa-stitches-needlepoint-off-to-the-finishers.html
Barbara just added a little bit about her design philosophy and beginning stitchers on her blog.
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2012/11/painted-stitches-needlepoint.html
If you are a shop looking for a beginner's project to teach, this is the place. You can even find stitch guides and lovely stitch diagrams for many of Barbara's designs on her website, free to download.
http://www.barbarabergstendesigns.com/stitch_guides.htm
Barbara has certainly done her part to encourage beginners. What have you done today?
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com