Birdhouse Trio - PDF

Birdhouse Trio Cross Stitch Pattern – Kooler Design Studio (KDS #2226)

The Birdhouse Trio is a charming counted cross stitch pattern designed by Kooler Design Studio, Inc., catalogued as KDS #2226 and published in 2018 as part of the Kooler Classic Charts collection. This intermediate-level embroidery design depicts a trio of birdhouses rendered in rich, naturalistic colors, making it an ideal decorative needlework project for the home. The finished piece works beautifully as a framed display, a seasonal decoration, or a thoughtful handmade gift for nature and garden enthusiasts.

What Is Being Made

Stitchers will create a single cohesive decorative embroidery featuring three birdhouses arranged as a coordinated composition. With a stitch count of 112 wide by 178 high, the design produces a finished piece of approximately 8 inches wide by 12⅝ inches tall on 14-count fabric, 7 inches wide by 11⅛ inches tall on 16-count fabric, or 6⅛ inches wide by 9⅞ inches tall on 18-count fabric. The pattern is delivered as a downloadable PDF, allowing stitchers to begin immediately after purchase.

Techniques Used

• Counted cross stitch – the primary technique, worked over the Aida fabric grid using the provided symbol chart
• Quarter stitches (¼ stitches) – used to add refined detail and smooth curved edges within the design
• Backstitch – worked in 1 or 2 strands to outline shapes, define fine lines, and add crisp definition throughout the composition
• French knots – added as decorative accent details, worked in 1 strand of floss
• Straight stitch – used selectively for additional fine linear detail

Stitches Used

• Full cross stitch – worked with 3 strands of embroidery floss throughout the main design areas
• Quarter cross stitch – worked with 3 strands for refined shaping
• Backstitch – worked with 1 strand or 2 strands depending on placement, as specified in the floss listing
• French knots – worked with 1 strand for delicate dot accents
• Straight stitch – used for fine linear embellishments

Materials Required

The design is intended to be stitched on 14-count Cream Aida fabric, which provides a warm, neutral background that complements the earthy and natural color palette of the birdhouse imagery. Stitchers should cut fabric with an additional 4 to 6 inches on each side beyond the stated finished dimensions to allow for framing or finishing.

The pattern calls for DMC embroidery floss in a broad palette of colors. The full thread list includes the following DMC color numbers:

• 150, 310, 317, 318, 407, 413, 415, 470, 472, 632, 648, 666, 720, 725, 813, 815, 820, 824, 826, 827, 898, 937, 977, 3072, 3731, 3772, 3777, 3778, 3826, 3827, 3830, 3853, and Blanc

This extensive palette spans deep blacks and charcoals, warm terracottas and browns, soft blues and greens, golden yellows, and crisp whites — all working together to render realistic, richly textured birdhouses with natural surroundings. Standard embroidery needles sized appropriately for the chosen Aida count are required; a tapestry needle with a blunt tip is traditional for counted cross stitch on Aida fabric.

Pattern Details and Difficulty

Rated at an intermediate difficulty level, the Birdhouse Trio is well suited to stitchers who are comfortable with basic cross stitch and ready to incorporate quarter