Home Is Where The Cat Is - PDF

Home Is Where The Cat Is – Cross Stitch Pattern PDF by Kooler Design Studio

Home Is Where The Cat Is (KDS# 1969) is a charming counted cross stitch design created by Linda Gillum for Kooler Design Studio, Inc. This beginner-friendly embroidery pattern is perfect for cat lovers and makes a delightful decorative piece for the home. The design is available as a downloadable PDF, giving stitchers instant access to the full color chart and floss listing.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a finished embroidered decoration celebrating the beloved sentiment that home is wherever your cat is. With a stitch count of 122 wide by 98 high, the completed design offers a generous, detailed image suitable for framing, finishing as a pillow, or displaying as home décor. Finished dimensions vary depending on the fabric count chosen:

• 14 Count Aida: approximately 8¾ inches wide by 7 inches high
• 16 Count Aida: approximately 7⅝ inches wide by 6⅛ inches high
• 18 Count Aida: approximately 6¾ inches wide by 5½ inches high

As recommended in the pattern, stitchers should add 4 to 6 inches to each measurement when cutting fabric to allow for framing or finishing margins.

Techniques Used

This design incorporates several classic counted cross stitch techniques, making it an excellent project for beginners who want to build core embroidery skills while also offering enough variety to keep more experienced stitchers engaged.

• Full Cross Stitch: The primary technique used to fill the design with color and form the main image.
• Quarter Stitch (¼ Stitch): Used to create smoother curves and more refined outlines within the design, adding detail and a polished look to rounded shapes.
• Backstitch: Applied with a single strand to define outlines, add fine detail, and bring crisp definition to the overall composition.
• Straight Stitch: Used selectively with 2 strands to add decorative linear details that complement the main stitching.

Stitches Used

The combination of stitches gives this design both visual depth and textural interest. Full and quarter stitches are worked using 3 strands of floss for good coverage on the Aida fabric, while backstitching is worked in 1 strand for fine, precise lines, and straight stitches are worked in 2 strands for a slightly bolder linear accent.

Materials Referenced

The pattern is designed to be stitched on 14 Count White Aida fabric, the most commonly recommended ground fabric for beginner and intermediate cross stitch projects. Aida cloth features an easy-to-see grid of holes that guides needle placement, making it ideal for those new to counted embroidery.

The floss palette references DMC stranded cotton embroidery floss throughout, with a rich and varied color range that includes the following DMC thread numbers:

• DMC 310 – Black (used for full cross stitch and backstitch)
• DMC 317 – Pewter Gray
• DMC 318 – Light Steel Gray (used for cross stitch and straight stitch)
• DMC 415 – Pearl Gray
• DMC 605 – Very Light Cranberry
• DMC 606 – Bright Orange-Red
• DMC 632 – Desert Sand (used for cross stitch and backstitch)
• DMC 704 – Bright Chartreuse
• DMC 721 – Medium Orange Spice
• DMC 722 – Light Orange Spice
• DMC 725 – Topaz
• DMC 762 – Very Light Pearl Gray
• DMC 917 – Medium Plum (used for cross stitch and backstitch)
• DMC 920 – Medium