Cat, Bats & Pumpkin - PDF

Cat, Bats & Pumpkin Cross Stitch Pattern by Kooler Design Studio

This charming Halloween-themed cross stitch design, Cat, Bats & Pumpkin (KDS #2443), is a Kooler Classic Chart created by designer Barbara Baatz Hillman and published by Kooler Design Studio, Inc. of Lafayette, California. Available as a downloadable PDF, this beginner-friendly embroidery pattern captures the playful spirit of the Halloween season, featuring a classic trio of holiday motifs: a cat, bats, and a pumpkin. The compact, nearly square composition makes it an ideal project for stitchers who want to create seasonal decorations, framed pieces, or ornaments without committing to a large or complex design.

Design Overview and Finished Size

The pattern is charted on a grid with a stitch count of 73 wide by 72 high, producing a nearly square finished design. Depending on the fabric count chosen, the completed embroidery measures as follows:

• 14 Count Aida: approximately 5-1/8 inches wide by 5-1/8 inches high
• 16 Count Aida: approximately 4-1/2 inches wide by 4-1/2 inches high
• 18 Count Aida: approximately 4 inches wide by 4 inches high

Stitchers are advised to add 4 to 6 inches to each measurement when cutting fabric, ensuring enough border for framing, finishing, or mounting. The recommended ground fabric is 14 Count White Aida, which provides clear, evenly spaced holes ideal for beginners learning to count and place stitches accurately.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs three classic counted embroidery techniques, each serving a distinct visual purpose in the finished piece:

• Cross Stitch (Full Stitches): The primary technique used to fill in the main areas of color and form. Full cross stitches are worked using 3 strands of floss, giving the design a rich, well-covered appearance on 14 Count Aida.
• French Knots: Used as accent stitches to add texture and fine detail — for example, to suggest eyes or decorative dots. French knots in this pattern are worked with 1 strand of floss, keeping them small and precise.
• Backstitch: Used for outlining, defining edges, and adding fine linear details that bring the cat, bats, and pumpkin to life. Backstitching is also worked with 1 strand of floss, producing crisp, clean lines without overwhelming the filled areas.

Stitches at a Glance

• Full Cross Stitch — 3 strands of DMC floss
• French Knots — 1 strand of DMC floss
• Backstitch — 1 strand of DMC floss

Materials: Floss and Thread Colors

The pattern uses DMC stranded cotton embroidery floss exclusively, with a palette carefully chosen to evoke the warm, festive tones of Halloween. The full color and symbol listing includes the following DMC thread numbers:

• DMC 155 — a soft blue-violet, used for cross stitch
• DMC 310 — black, used for cross stitch, backstitch, and French knots
• DMC 413 — dark pewter grey, used for cross stitch
• DMC 415 — pearl grey, used for cross stitch
• DMC 700 — bright Christmas green, used for cross stitch
• DMC 702 — Kelly green, used for cross stitch
• DMC 704 — bright chartreuse, used for cross stitch
• DMC 741 — medium tangerine, used for cross stitch
• DMC 743 — medium yellow, used for cross stitch