Welcome - PDF

Welcome Cross Stitch Pattern – KDS #2488 by Kooler Design Studio

The Welcome design, catalogue number KDS #2488, is a charming counted cross stitch decoration created by designer Sandy Orton and published by Kooler Design Studio, Inc. of Lafayette, California. Released in 2020 as part of the Kooler Classic Charts collection, this pattern is available as a downloadable PDF, making it instantly accessible for stitchers of all levels. With its welcoming sentiment and colorful motifs, it is ideally suited as a home decoration — perfect for framing, finishing as a small wall hanging, or incorporating into a decorative hoop display.

What Is Being Made

This project produces a small, decorative "Welcome" embroidery piece intended for home décor. The finished design features a warm, inviting composition with floral and decorative elements rendered in a rich palette of coordinating colors. Its compact stitch count makes it an excellent choice for a quick, satisfying finish that can be displayed in an entryway, living room, or gifted to a friend or family member.

Design Specifications

• Stitch Count: 68 stitches wide × 56 stitches high
• Finished size on 14-count fabric: approximately 4¾ inches wide × 4 inches high
• Finished size on 16-count fabric: approximately 4¼ inches wide × 3½ inches high
• Finished size on 18-count fabric: approximately 3¾ inches wide × 3 inches high
• An additional 4–6 inches should be added to each measurement when cutting fabric to allow for framing or finishing margins

Techniques Used

This pattern uses classic counted cross stitch techniques, making it approachable for beginners while still offering satisfying detail through the use of multiple stitch types. Counted cross stitch involves following a charted grid where each square corresponds to a stitch worked over the intersections of an evenweave or Aida fabric. The stitcher counts threads carefully to place each stitch in the correct position, building up the design square by square.

• Full Cross Stitches — the primary stitch forming the body of the design, worked in an X shape over one fabric square
• Backstitch — used for fine outlines, lettering definition, and detail work, creating crisp, clean lines that give the design polish and dimension
• French Knots — small, textured accent stitches that add dimensional detail to the composition, such as flower centers or decorative dots

Stitches and Strand Counts

The pattern provides clear guidance on the number of floss strands to use for each stitch type, which is important for achieving the correct coverage and texture on the chosen fabric count:

• Full Stitches: worked using 3 strands of embroidery floss
• Backstitching: worked using 1 strand of embroidery floss for fine, precise lines
• French Knots: worked using 1 or 2 strands of embroidery floss depending on the desired size of the knot

Materials Required

The pattern is designed to be stitched on 14-count White Aida fabric, which is the most widely available evenweave fabric for counted cross stitch and an excellent choice for beginners due to its clearly visible holes and stable weave. Stitchers may also choose to work the design on 16-count or 18-count Aida for a smaller finished piece. A tapestry needle — typically a size 24 or 26 — is the standard tool used for cross stitch on Aida fabric, as its blunt tip passes through the fabric holes without splitting threads.

The color palette calls for DMC embroidery floss in 16 colors, including a broad and vibrant range of shades:

• DMC 208 — deep lavender purple
• DMC 209 — medium lavender
• DMC 304 — medium red