I mostly used Lion Brand Vanna and other worsted stash yarn following a random color scheme (19 total colors were used) with the following exceptions-- all motifs were consistently Red in rounds 1 and 8 and each also contained one round of Black and one shade of Green. The finishings were also done entirely in Red.
I happen to like a particular blanket stitch join that unites the adjacent front loop of one and back loop of the other, followed by a yarnover so that every stitch as you go along, forms a seam. Most might hide that seam on the wrong side but I like the look for some projects and in this one, it is featured in Black.
I added a pom-pom trim but need to note for the future that there is probably a subtle right and wrong side to that motif, so… stitch it from the wrong side (because the bobble “closes” more to the side you’re working and is smooth and round on the opposite side).
I will likely purchase furrier hooks and attach along the sides to close the circle.
The size seems reasonable to me unlike other opinions to the contrary re this pattern. I believe you need to gauge how it will drape down and around a tree and its stand and not prejudge a flat floor measurement. I did however, size down my hook with comments in mind.
Some of the pattern directions were not altogether clear so I’m raising the difficulty bar because a beginner might not feel comfortable making several judgment calls that also include confidently deciding how to attack easing together differing numbers of stitches between the outer and inner circles upon attachment, without benefit of pattern directions.
I agree with the suggestion of attaching 3 squares and then attaching those 4 sets to the ring, which makes things far easier to control and count/ease.

PS…I over-confidently started this project 11/2013 and after finishing all 12 “squares” discovered that I had neglected to taper the motifs and therefore had ruined any thought of furthering the project. Behold…this is what I created from the fruits of my mistake….
http://ravel.me/klmag/gts (Granny’s Cabin Throw)