Koi Pond in DMC - PAT0078 - Downloadable PDF

Koi Pond Embroidery Pattern by Irem Yazici for DMC – Free Downloadable PDF (PAT0078)

Koi Pond is a charming hand embroidery design created by designer Irem Yazici and published under the Baobap label in partnership with DMC. Available as a free downloadable PDF, this pattern is rated beginner level, making it an ideal starting point for those new to embroidery while still offering a rewarding and decorative finished piece. The design depicts a koi pond scene worked at a recommended size of 13.5 cm x 13.5 cm, creating a compact and frameable motif full of colour and life.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a hand-embroidered koi pond composition, stitched onto fabric of your choice. The design features the flowing forms and rich colours associated with ornamental koi fish set within a pond environment, rendered through a carefully curated palette of eleven thread colours. Once complete, the piece works beautifully as a framed artwork, hoop display, or decorative textile accent.

Techniques Used

The pattern uses three core embroidery techniques, each assigned a specific code letter within the technical chart to guide the stitcher clearly:

• Satin Stitch (Point passé plat) – Code A: Worked using 3 strands of thread, satin stitch forms smooth, closely packed parallel stitches that fill shapes with solid, lustrous colour. It is the primary filling technique in this design and is ideal for rendering the sleek, rounded bodies of koi fish and other large design elements.
• Backstitch (Point arrière) – Code B: Worked using 2 strands of thread, backstitch creates clean, continuous lines used for outlining shapes and adding fine detail. It is one of the most fundamental embroidery stitches and helps define the edges of the koi and other design elements with precision.
• French Knot (Point de Noeud) – Code C: French knots add textural dimension and are used as accent details within the composition. They are formed by wrapping the thread around the needle before inserting it back into the fabric, creating a small, raised dot of thread on the surface.

Stitches Used

• Satin Stitch – for filled areas, using 3 strands
• Backstitch – for outlines and detail lines, using 2 strands
• French Knot – for decorative texture and accent points

Materials and Threads

The pattern is designed specifically around DMC threads, making it straightforward to source the exact colours called for in the design. Two thread ranges are used:

• DMC Mouliné Spécial ART 117 S – the classic six-strand divisible cotton embroidery floss, used throughout the design for its wide colour range and consistent quality.
• DMC Mouliné Satin ART W1008F – a satin-finish thread that adds a subtle sheen to select areas of the design, enhancing the luminous, watery quality of the koi pond scene.

The full colour palette comprises eleven colours, each requiring one skein, as follows:

• DMC 3855 – used for both colour positions A1 and A5
• DMC 3825 – colour A2
• DMC 3340 – colour A3
• DMC 606 – colour A4
• DMC 153 – colour A6
• DMC 3716 – colour A7
• DMC 3713 – colour A8
• DMC 3848 – colour A9
• DMC 934 – colour A10
• DMC 733 – colour A11

This palette blends warm oranges, corals, and pinks with cooler greens and teals,