Carrots - PDF

Carrots Cross Stitch Embroidery Pattern by Kooler Design Studio

This Carrots pattern, catalog number KDS #2314, is a charming counted cross stitch design from Kooler Design Studio, Inc., created by designer Barbara Baatz Hillman. Published as part of the Kooler Classic Charts series, this downloadable PDF pattern is rated as a beginner-friendly project and is ideal for stitchers looking to create a decorative piece featuring a classic vegetable motif. The finished embroidery is well-suited for use as home décor, a framed decoration, or a seasonal accent piece.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a decorative embroidery piece depicting carrots, stitched onto fabric and intended for display as a home decoration. The design has a stitch count of 90 stitches wide by 80 stitches high, making it a compact and manageable project. Depending on the fabric count chosen, the finished design measures approximately:

• 14 Count fabric: 6-3/8 inches wide by 5-5/8 inches high
• 16 Count fabric: 5-5/8 inches wide by 5 inches high
• 18 Count fabric: 5 inches wide by 4-3/8 inches high

Stitchers are advised to add 4 to 6 inches to each measurement when cutting fabric to allow for framing and finishing.

Techniques Used

This pattern uses two core embroidery techniques that are fundamental to counted cross stitch work:

• Full Cross Stitch: The primary technique used to fill in the design, creating the solid areas of color that form the carrot motif. Each full cross stitch is worked using 3 strands of embroidery floss, giving the finished piece good coverage and a rich, textured appearance.
• Backstitch: Used for outlining and adding fine detail to the design. Backstitch is worked using 1 strand of embroidery floss, creating crisp, clean lines that define edges and add definition to the overall composition. This technique is essential for giving the carrots and their foliage a polished, finished look.

Counted cross stitch is a form of embroidery in which stitches are placed on an even-weave or Aida fabric by counting threads or squares on a printed chart. The regularity of the grid makes it particularly accessible for beginners while still producing professional-looking results.

Stitches Used

• Full Cross Stitch — worked with 3 strands of DMC embroidery floss
• Backstitch — worked with 1 strand of DMC embroidery floss for outlining and detail

Materials Referenced

Fabric

The design is specified to be stitched on 14 Count Beige Aida fabric. Aida cloth is the most popular fabric choice for counted cross stitch due to its clearly defined weave, which makes it easy to count stitches accurately — a particular advantage for beginner embroiderers. The beige colorway of the Aida fabric provides a warm, neutral background that complements the orange and green tones of the carrot design.

Embroidery Floss

The pattern uses DMC embroidery floss throughout. DMC is one of the most widely recognized and trusted brands of six-strand cotton embroidery floss, available at most craft and needlework retailers. The full list of DMC colors specified in this pattern includes:

• DMC 310 (Black) — 3 skeins required; used for both cross stitch and backstitch
• DMC 606 — used for cross stitch and backstitch
• DMC 742 — used for cross stitch
• DMC 745 — used for cross stitch and backstitch
• DMC 772 — used for cross stitch
• DMC 801 — used for cross stitch and backstitch
• DMC 895