All stitches are cross stitch. 'Hortulus' was a poem written by a German monk, Walafrid Strabo, in the 9th century. The name translates to 'little garden' and refers to the herbs grown for the order's apothecary monk. The center image is an ancient one used in some of the oldest filet crochet, but here he is surrounded by an art deco style floral border. Maybe the wood violets are what he needs for that remedy he is so deeply pondering as he gazes at his fire? Kathy Bungard