Celestial Angel Stocking - PDF

Celestial Angel Stocking Cross Stitch Pattern – Kooler Design Studio (KDS #2144)

The Celestial Angel Stocking is a beautifully detailed counted cross stitch holiday decoration pattern, designed by Barbara Baatz Hillman for Kooler Design Studio. Published under design number KDS #2144, this downloadable PDF chart is part of the Kooler Classic Charts collection and is rated as an intermediate level project. The finished piece is a classic Christmas stocking featuring a celestial angel motif, intended to be stitched and then assembled into a functional, decorative holiday stocking.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a cross-stitched Christmas stocking with an angelic, celestial design. Once the embroidery is complete, the stitched fabric is assembled with a backing fabric of your choice to create a finished, three-dimensional stocking suitable for holiday display or gifting. The design includes a personalization line — a designated area where a name or message can be added — making it ideal for creating a truly custom keepsake.

Design Specifications and Sizing

The design has a stitch count of 136 wide by 191 high, and can be stitched on a variety of Aida fabric counts to achieve different finished sizes:

• 14 Count Aida: approximately 10 inches wide by 13¾ inches high
• 16 Count Aida: approximately 8½ inches wide by 12 inches high
• 18 Count Aida: approximately 7¾ inches wide by 10¾ inches high

The pattern recommends adding 4 to 6 inches to each measurement when cutting the fabric, to allow for seam allowances and finishing. The primary recommended fabric is 14 Count White Aida.

Embroidery Techniques Used

This pattern employs three distinct embroidery techniques, each serving a specific visual purpose within the design:

• Full Cross Stitch: The primary technique used throughout the design, worked with 3 strands of floss. Cross stitch is the foundational counted embroidery method where X-shaped stitches are placed over a grid of fabric threads, building up color and form across the design.
• Backstitch: Used for outlining, detailing, and adding definition to the design. Backstitching is worked with either 1 or 2 strands of floss depending on the area, and creates smooth, continuous lines that give the angel and other elements crisp, refined edges.
• Straight Stitch: An accent technique worked with 2 strands of floss, used to add fine linear details that complement the cross stitch and backstitch work.

Materials – Floss and Thread

The pattern uses an extensive palette of DMC embroidery floss, with colors carefully selected to render the celestial angel and stocking design in rich, festive tones. The full floss list includes the following DMC thread colors:

• DMC 210 – used for both cross stitch (3 strands) and backstitch (1 strand)
• DMC 211
• DMC 312
• DMC 422
• DMC 435
• DMC 453
• DMC 500
• DMC 535
• DMC 553 – used for both cross stitch (3 strands) and backstitch (1 strand)
• DMC 606 Bright Orange-Red – requires 2 skeins
• DMC 666 Christmas Red-BRT – requires 2 skeins; also used for backstitch (1 strand)
• DMC 699
• DMC 720 – used for both cross stitch (3 strands)