Bee Kitty Cup - #12623-KH

Bee Kitty Cup Cross Stitch Pattern #12623 by Artecy Cross Stitch

The Bee Kitty Cup (pattern number #12623-KH) is a charming counted cross stitch design released by Artecy Cross Stitch, created by designer Tereena Clarke and adapted from original artwork by celebrated animal artist Kayomi Harai. The finished piece depicts a whimsical bee-themed kitty cup scene in Kayomi Harai's signature soft, endearing style. This is a downloadable PDF pattern, making it immediately accessible after purchase, and is rated at an intermediate difficulty level, suitable for stitchers who are comfortable working across multi-page chart layouts and managing a broad palette of thread colours.

Design Dimensions and Fabric Count Options

The pattern measures 141 stitches wide by 197 stitches high, giving stitchers a generous, detailed canvas to work with. Artecy Cross Stitch provides finished size calculations across three popular fabric counts so you can choose the scale that best suits your project or framing plans:

• 14-count fabric: approximately 10.5 inches wide by 14.5 inches high (27 cm × 37 cm)
• 16-count fabric: approximately 9 inches wide by 12.5 inches high (23 cm × 32 cm)
• 18-count fabric: approximately 8 inches wide by 11 inches high (20 cm × 28 cm)

As a general rule in counted cross stitch, the higher the fabric count — meaning the more holes per inch — the smaller and finer the completed design will appear. Stitchers who prefer a larger, bolder result should opt for 14-count aida, while those who enjoy intricate, finely detailed work may prefer 18-count. The pattern notes that it can be worked on any fabric type, colour, or count of your choosing, giving you full creative flexibility.

Techniques and Stitches Used

This is a full cross stitch only pattern — meaning only full cross stitches are used throughout the entire design, with no fractional stitches, backstitch outlines, or specialty stitches required. This makes the stitching process clean and consistent, and is particularly reassuring for intermediate stitchers who may not yet be fully comfortable with quarter or three-quarter stitches.

Cross stitch itself is a form of counted embroidery in which X-shaped stitches are placed on an evenweave or aida fabric by following a charted grid. Each square on the chart corresponds to one full cross stitch on the fabric. Working from the centre of the design outward is the recommended approach, and the pattern includes centre-finding arrows along the top and left-hand sides of the chart to help you locate your starting point accurately.

Working Across Multiple Pages

Because of the design's substantial stitch count, the chart spans multiple pages. Artecy Cross Stitch uses a practical page-joining system: corner page numbers in brackets indicate which adjoining page connects at each edge, and a shaded grey overlap section of three rows appears on each page to help you align pages correctly. Importantly, this overlapping grey area should not be restitched — it is a reference guide only. The recommended approach is to stitch one page at a time, which keeps the process manageable and reduces the risk of losing your place across a large design.

Materials Required

Thread

The Bee Kitty Cup pattern calls for 52 DMC cotton embroidery floss colours. DMC is the world's most widely recognised brand of stranded cotton floss, available in hundreds of colours and sold individually or in sets at most craft retailers globally. The pattern recommends using two strands of floss for each cross stitch, which is the standard thread weight for working on 14-count to 18-count aida and produces good coverage with a neat, slightly raised texture.

Fabric

The pattern is compatible with aida cloth in 14, 16, or 18 count, as well as other evenweave fabrics. Aida is the most beginner- and intermediate-friendly choice due to its clearly defined holes and stiff weave. The pattern advises leaving at least a few inches of extra fabric on each side of