No Ordinary Cats - PDF

No Ordinary Cats – Cross Stitch Embroidery Pattern by Kooler Design Studio (KDS #1557)

No Ordinary Cats is an advanced counted cross stitch embroidery pattern designed by Sandy Orton and published by Kooler Design Studio, Inc. under their Kooler Classic Charts collection (catalog number KDS #1557). Released in 2015, this downloadable PDF pattern is intended for experienced stitchers who enjoy detailed, character-rich needlework projects. The finished piece is designed as a decorative embroidery, making it a wonderful framed display, hoop art, or home accent for cat lovers and needlework enthusiasts alike.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a decorative embroidered artwork featuring cats as its central subject — true to its name, these are no ordinary cats. The design is rich in detail and color, requiring a high level of stitching skill to execute cleanly. With a stitch count of 140 stitches wide by 183 stitches high, this is a substantial and rewarding project that results in a striking finished piece suitable for framing or display.

Fabric and Sizing

The design is intended to be stitched on 14 Count White Aida fabric, which is the standard recommended ground for this chart. Aida cloth is a popular evenweave fabric for counted cross stitch, featuring an easy-to-see grid of holes that guides precise stitch placement. The finished design dimensions vary depending on the fabric count chosen:

• 14 Count Aida: approximately 10 inches wide by 13 inches high
• 16 Count Aida: approximately 8¾ inches wide by 11½ inches high
• 18 Count Aida: approximately 7¾ inches wide by 10¼ inches high

Stitchers are advised to add 4 to 6 inches to each measurement when cutting their fabric to allow adequate margin for framing or finishing. Higher fabric counts (such as 16 or 18 count) produce a smaller, finer finished piece, while 14 count is the most accessible for those newer to finer detail work.

Stitches Used

This is a technically demanding pattern that incorporates multiple embroidery stitch types, contributing to its advanced difficulty rating. The variety of stitches adds dimension, texture, and fine detail to the finished design. The following stitches are specified in the pattern:

• Full Cross Stitches: The primary stitch used to fill in the main areas of the design, worked using 3 strands of embroidery floss for solid, well-covered coverage on 14 Count Aida.
• Quarter Stitches (¼ Stitches): Also worked with 3 strands, these partial stitches are used to create curved edges and refined outlines, adding realism and smooth contours to the design — particularly important in detailed cat imagery.
• Backstitch: Used for outlining, detailing, and adding definition, worked with either 1 or 2 strands of floss depending on the area. Backstitch is essential in this design for creating crisp lines and separating color areas cleanly.
• French Knots: Small, textured knot stitches worked with 1 or 2 strands of floss. French knots add tactile detail and are commonly used for eyes, small dots, and decorative accents in character-based embroidery designs.
• Straight Stitches: Worked with a single strand of floss, straight stitches are used for fine linear details such as whiskers, fur texture, or delicate accent lines that would be too subtle for cross stitch coverage alone.

Techniques and Skill Level

Rated as an advanced embroidery project, No Ordinary Cats demands proficiency in managing multiple stitch types simultaneously and the ability to follow a detailed, symbol-coded color chart. The combination of full and quarter stitches requires careful attention to stitch direction and placement to achieve smooth, realistic curves. Working with varying strand counts across different stitch types — from 3-strand cross stitches down to single-strand straight stitches — means the stitcher must frequently adjust their needle and thread, calling for patience and experience.