To Love, Honor and Cherish - PDF

To Love, Honor and Cherish – Cross Stitch Wedding Decoration Pattern by Kooler Design Studio

To Love, Honor and Cherish is a romantic counted cross stitch chart designed by Linda Gillum for Kooler Design Studio (KDS #2407). Released as part of the Kooler Classic Charts collection, this beginner-friendly embroidery pattern is beautifully suited as a wedding keepsake, anniversary gift, or sentimental home decoration. The design is delivered as a downloadable PDF, making it immediately accessible after purchase.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a finished decorative embroidery piece with a wedding theme, centered around the traditional vow phrase "To Love, Honor and Cherish." The design includes a dedicated personalization line (marked "Do Not Stitch" on the chart itself), allowing stitchers to add custom text — such as a couple's names or wedding date — making each finished piece truly one of a kind. The completed work is intended to be framed or displayed as a meaningful decorative item.

Design Size and Fabric

The chart has a stitch count of 108 stitches wide by 146 stitches high. The recommended fabric is 14-count White Aida, which yields a finished design size of approximately 7⅝ inches wide by 10⅜ inches tall. Stitchers who prefer a finer or more compact result can work on higher-count fabrics:

• 16-count Aida: approximately 6¾ inches wide by 9⅛ inches tall
• 18-count Aida: approximately 6 inches wide by 8 inches tall

Regardless of fabric count chosen, the pattern recommends adding 4 to 6 inches to each measurement when cutting fabric, ensuring sufficient border for framing or finishing.

Techniques and Stitches Used

This is a counted cross stitch embroidery pattern, a technique in which stitches are placed over the woven grid of evenweave or Aida fabric by counting squares on the chart. It is widely considered one of the most approachable forms of needlework, making this design ideal for beginner embroiderers as well as experienced stitchers looking for a meaningful project. The following stitch types are used:

• Full Cross Stitches – the primary stitch forming the bulk of the design, worked with 3 strands of embroidery floss
• Quarter Stitches (¼ Stitches) – used for fine detail and smooth curves, also worked with 3 strands
• Backstitch – used for outlines, lettering, and fine detail work, worked with 1 strand of floss for crisp, delicate lines
• French Knots – small, textured accent stitches worked with 1 strand of floss, adding dimensional detail to the design

Materials – Floss and Thread

The pattern is charted using DMC embroidery floss, one of the most widely available and trusted brands of six-strand cotton embroidery thread. The full color palette includes a range of soft, romantic tones appropriate for a wedding theme. Specific DMC colors called for include:

• DMC Blanc – noted as requiring 2 skeins, indicating it is used extensively throughout the design
• DMC 209, 211 – soft lavender and light lavender tones
• DMC 310, 317, 318 – black and steel grey shades for outlining and detail
• DMC 333, 341 – deep blue-violet and light periwinkle blue
• DMC 356, 413 – terracotta and dark pewter grey
• DMC 743, 745 – medium and light yellow tones
• DMC 754, 761, 775 – light peach, light salmon, and very light baby blue
• DMC 780, 783 – topaz and medium topaz gold