Favorite Santas - PDF

Favorite Santas Cross Stitch Pattern by Kooler Design Studio – KDS# 1575

Favorite Santas is a charming counted cross stitch pattern designed by Linda Gillum for Kooler Design Studio (KDS# 1575), published in 2014 as part of the Kooler Classic Charts collection. This downloadable PDF pattern produces a festive holiday decoration featuring multiple Santa Claus figures rendered in a warm, classic style. The design is rated as beginner-friendly, making it an ideal project for those new to counted cross stitch as well as a satisfying quick stitch for more experienced needleworkers looking for a seasonal piece.

What Is Being Made

The finished piece is a horizontal cross stitch embroidery suitable for use as a holiday decoration. With a stitch count of 127 stitches wide by 56 stitches high, the design presents a row of favorite Santa figures in a compact, landscape-oriented composition. The finished size varies depending on the fabric count chosen:

• 14-count fabric: approximately 9 inches wide by 4 inches high
• 16-count fabric: approximately 7⅞ inches wide by 3½ inches high
• 18-count fabric: approximately 7 inches wide by 3⅛ inches high

The pattern recommends adding 4 to 6 inches to each measurement when cutting fabric to allow for framing, finishing, or mounting. Once completed, this piece works beautifully as a framed wall decoration, a banner, or the centerpiece of a seasonal display.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several classic counted cross stitch techniques that together create a detailed and textured finished image. Even beginners will find these techniques approachable with a little practice:

• Full cross stitch: The primary stitch used throughout the design, forming the solid areas of color and the main shapes of the Santa figures.
• Quarter stitch (¼ stitch): Used to refine curves and edges, giving the design a smoother, more polished outline where full stitches would appear too blocky.
• Backstitch: Applied as outlines and fine detail lines using a single strand of floss, adding definition and crispness to the finished design.
• French knots: Small, raised decorative knots worked with a single strand of floss, used to add dimensional accent details such as eyes or decorative dots.

Counted cross stitch is a form of embroidery worked on evenweave or Aida fabric, where each stitch is placed over a counted number of fabric threads or holes. The chart provides a grid-based map of the design, with each symbol corresponding to a specific floss color, allowing the stitcher to recreate the design with precision.

Stitches Used

• Full cross stitch – worked with 3 strands of embroidery floss
• Quarter stitch – worked with 3 strands of embroidery floss
• Backstitch – worked with 1 strand of embroidery floss
• French knots – worked with 1 strand of embroidery floss

Materials Referenced

The pattern is designed to be stitched on 14-count White Aida fabric, which is the most widely available and beginner-friendly evenweave fabric for counted cross stitch. Aida fabric is woven with clearly defined holes that make it easy to count and place stitches accurately. The design can also be adapted to 16-count or 18-count Aida for a smaller finished size.

The floss palette calls for DMC embroidery floss, a widely available six-strand cotton thread. The full color listing includes the following DMC thread colors:

• DMC 310 (Black) – used for full cross stitch and backstitch
• DMC 334 (Medium Baby Blue)
• DMC 436 (Tan)
• DMC 498 (Dark Red) – used for full cross stitch and backstitch
• DMC 666 (Bright Red) – used for