Catch of the Day - PDF

Catch of the Day Cross Stitch Pattern – KDS #1801 by Kooler Design Studio

Catch of the Day is a decorative cross stitch design created by Barbara Baatz Hillman and published by Kooler Design Studio, Inc. under catalog number KDS #1801. Released in 2018, this intermediate-level embroidery chart is available as a downloadable PDF, making it immediately accessible for stitchers who want to get started right away. The finished piece is intended as a decorative item, evoking a charming, nature-inspired aesthetic perfectly suited to home décor, framing, or gifting.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a single decorative embroidery design with a stitch count of 164 stitches wide by 141 stitches high. Depending on the fabric count chosen, the finished stitched area will measure approximately:

• 14 Count: 11⅝ inches wide × 10 inches high
• 16 Count: 10¼ inches wide × 8¾ inches high
• 18 Count: 9 inches wide × 7¾ inches high

Stitchers are advised to add 4–6 inches to each measurement when cutting fabric to allow adequate margin for framing or finishing. The generous size makes this an impressive display piece with rich detail throughout.

Fabric and Materials

The design is specified to be stitched on 14 Count Black Aida cloth. Aida is the most widely used evenweave fabric in counted cross stitch, featuring a uniform grid of holes that makes it easy to count and place stitches accurately. The black colorway of the Aida fabric provides a dramatic, high-contrast background that allows the vibrant thread colors to stand out with striking visual impact — a hallmark choice for designs featuring bold, colorful subjects.

All thread colors are specified in DMC embroidery floss, the industry-standard six-strand cotton thread known for its colorfast dyes and wide availability. The palette is extensive and richly varied, incorporating warm earth tones, vivid oranges and yellows, cool blues, and neutral highlights. The full list of DMC colors used includes:

• DMC 310 (Black), 349 (Dark Coral), 353 (Peach), 356 (Medium Terra Cotta)
• DMC 414 (Dark Steel Gray), 415 (Pearl Gray), 433 (Medium Brown)
• DMC 503 (Medium Blue Green), 677 (Very Light Old Gold), 726 (Light Topaz)
• DMC 730 (Very Dark Olive Green), 732 (Olive Green), 740 (Tangerine)
• DMC 742 (Light Tangerine), 745 (Light Pale Yellow), 762 (Very Light Pearl Gray)
• DMC 824 (Very Dark Blue), 826 (Medium Blue), 841 (Light Beige Brown)
• DMC 935 (Dark Avocado Green), 970 (Light Pumpkin), 972 (Deep Canary)
• DMC 976 (Medium Golden Brown), 3013 (Light Khaki Green), 3024 (Very Light Brown Gray)
• DMC 3755 (Baby Blue), 3774 (Very Light Desert Sand), 3815 (Dark Celadon Green)
• DMC 3830 (Terra Cotta), 3856 (Ultra Very Light Mahogany), Blanc (White)

Several colors — including DMC 414, 433, 826, 935, 3013, and 3024 — are used in more than one strand count or stitch type, meaning a single skein serves multiple purposes within the design. The color requiring the most skeins is DMC 3774 at 4 skeins, followed by