23rd Psalm - PDF

23rd Psalm Cross Stitch Chart – KDS #1929 by Kooler Design Studio

The 23rd Psalm is a counted cross stitch embroidery design created by designer Sandy Orton and published by Kooler Design Studio, Inc. under catalog number KDS #1929. Released in 2016 as part of the Kooler Classic Charts collection, this piece is a decorative embroidery project intended to be framed or displayed as a finished home decoration. The design draws its inspiration from the beloved biblical text of the 23rd Psalm, rendering it as a richly detailed needlework composition suitable for gifting, commemorating, or adorning a special space.

This is classified as an advanced-level embroidery project, making it best suited for experienced stitchers who are comfortable working with multiple stitch types, managing fine detail work, and following a complex color-coded chart across a large stitch field.

Design Specifications and Fabric

The chart is designed to be stitched on 14-Count Antique White Aida fabric, a classic even-weave ground that provides a warm, aged tone well suited to the traditional and devotional character of this design. The finished stitch count is 154 stitches wide by 224 stitches high, making this a substantial and detailed piece. Stitchers should add 4 to 6 inches to each measurement when cutting fabric to allow adequate borders for framing or finishing.

The design can also be adapted to other fabric counts, with approximate finished dimensions as follows:

• 14-Count: approximately 11 inches wide by 16 inches high
• 16-Count: approximately 9⅝ inches wide by 14 inches high
• 18-Count: approximately 8½ inches wide by 12½ inches high

Working on a higher count fabric such as 18-count will produce a smaller, finer finished piece, while 14-count yields the largest and most visible result. The choice of count affects the level of detail visible in the final work and the fineness of thread management required.

Stitches Used

The 23rd Psalm design incorporates a variety of embroidery stitches that together create depth, texture, and fine detail across the composition. These include:

• Full Cross Stitches – the primary stitch used to fill the main areas of the design, worked with 3 strands of embroidery floss for solid, rich coverage on 14-count fabric
• Quarter Stitches (¼ Stitches) – used alongside full stitches to create curved edges and refined outlines; also worked with 3 strands, allowing smooth transitions between color areas
• Half Stitches – worked with a single strand of floss, these stitches are typically used to suggest shading or lighter texture within the design
• Backstitch – used for outlining, lettering, and fine linear detail, worked with either 1 or 2 strands depending on the weight of line required; backstitching is essential in bringing the design's text and decorative elements into sharp focus
• French Knots – small, raised accent stitches worked with 1 strand of floss, adding dimensional texture to specific areas of the composition such as floral centers or decorative details

The combination of these techniques is characteristic of high-quality counted cross stitch design and requires careful attention to strand count and tension to achieve a polished, professional result.

Materials and Threads

The design uses embroidery floss as its primary thread material. The chart includes a full Floss and Symbol Listing that maps each symbol on the chart to a specific floss color, allowing stitchers to gather the correct palette before beginning. The floss is used at varying strand counts — from a single strand for delicate detail work up to three strands for bold, full-coverage stitching — giving the finished piece a range of visual weight and texture.

No yarn, knitting needles, or crochet hooks are involved in this project. The essential tools are a tapestry needle (typically a size 24 or 26 for 14-count Aida), an embroidery hoop or frame to keep the fabric taut