DMC Hounds Embroidery Pattern - PAT1744 - Downloadable PDF

DMC Hounds Embroidery Pattern (PAT1744) – Free Downloadable PDF by DMC

The DMC Hounds Embroidery Pattern (PAT1744) is a free downloadable PDF from the DMC Library (Bibliothèque DMC) that guides embroiderers through creating a detailed, painterly depiction of chiens de chasse — hunting hounds. The finished design measures approximately 15.5 cm × 16.5 cm, making it a beautifully sized piece suitable for framing, hoop display, or incorporation into a larger textile project. This pattern is rated advanced beginner, meaning it is accessible to those who have a grasp of basic embroidery but are ready to explore more nuanced, multi-stitch techniques that build realistic texture and depth.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a richly rendered embroidered portrait of hunting hounds, rendered in a naturalistic, illustrative style. The design uses a warm, earthy palette with carefully mapped colour zones to capture the fur, shading, and fine details of the dogs' forms. The result is a classic, heritage-style embroidery piece with a timeless appeal — reminiscent of traditional sporting art and countryside motifs.

Techniques and Stitches Used

The pattern employs four distinct embroidery stitches, each assigned a letter code in the technical chart to guide placement across the design:

• Long and Short Stitch (Passé empiétant) – Code A: The primary stitch used throughout the design, worked with 4 strands of DMC Mouliné Spécial. Long and short stitch is the cornerstone of needle painting and thread painting techniques. By alternating longer and shorter stitches in successive rows, embroiderers can blend colours seamlessly to create smooth gradients and lifelike shading — essential for rendering the soft, layered texture of a dog's coat.
• Satin Stitch (Passé plat) – Code B: Also worked with 4 strands, satin stitch fills areas with smooth, closely packed parallel stitches that lie flat against the fabric. It is ideal for solid colour zones such as markings, ears, or other defined areas of the hounds' bodies where a clean, polished finish is desired.
• Stem Stitch (Point de tige) – Code C: Worked with 2 strands, stem stitch is a classic outline and linear stitch that creates a neat, rope-like line. In this design it is used to define contours, fine details, and structural lines — adding crispness and definition to the composition.
• French Knot (Point de nœud) – Code D: Also worked with 2 strands, French knots are small, raised, knotted stitches formed by wrapping the thread around the needle before inserting it back into the fabric. They add tactile texture and are commonly used for eyes, nostrils, and small accent details that benefit from a three-dimensional quality.

Colour Palette and Thread Materials

The pattern calls for DMC Mouliné Spécial Art 117 embroidery floss — DMC's iconic, universally recognised six-strand cotton thread known for its consistent dye quality, sheen, and wide colour range. The design uses 11 colours, each requiring one skein, carefully chosen to build a warm, naturalistic palette:

• DMC 3865 – Winter White (lightest highlight tones)
• DMC 01 – White Tin
• DMC 3799 – Very Dark Pewter Grey
• DMC 310 – Black (deepest shadows and outlines)
• DMC 3852 – Very Dark Straw
• DMC 783 – Medium Topaz
• DMC 435 – Very Light Brown
• DMC 3862 – Dark Mocha Beige
• DMC 801 – Dark Coffee Brown
• DMC 436 – Tan
• DMC 434 – Light Brown

Together, these shades span a spectrum from near-white through warm golden tones to rich dark browns and black, enabling