you can stitch up this JOYful little hoop using only 2 very basic stitches: whipped back stitch and straight stitch. 

• whipped back stitch is a great choice for this because it looks almost exactly like the twisty green wire on a strand of twinkle lights!
• and the lights themselves are just 2 straight stitches, arranged in a super-narrow 'V' formation. easy-peasy!

to make whipped back stitch, you'll first work a foundation row of back stitches. next, using a second thread (this can be the same color or a new color) you'll work the second row.

start at the beginning of the row and whip each stitch, going under from right to left. (you won't be picking up any fabric, only going under each back stitch with the second thread. i sometimes use the blunt end of the needle for this, so i don't split the foundation stitches.)

i'm inserting a video below, for those of us who are visual learners.