The Sounds of Christmas Ornaments - PDF

The Sounds of Christmas Ornaments – Cross Stitch PDF Pattern by Kooler Design Studio

The Sounds of Christmas Ornaments is a downloadable PDF cross stitch pattern designed by Barbara Baatz Hillman for Kooler Design Studio (KDS# 1157). Published in 2011, this charming pattern is part of the Kooler Classic Charts collection and is well-suited to beginner and intermediate embroiderers looking to create a set of festive holiday ornaments. The finished pieces make beautiful handmade Christmas decorations, gifts, or keepsakes.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a collection of Christmas-themed ornaments, each designed to be stitched individually and displayed as holiday decorations. Each ornament design shares the same stitch count of 48 stitches wide by 48 stitches high, making them a consistent, coordinated set. The finished size varies depending on the fabric count chosen, giving stitchers flexibility in their final presentation.

Finished Size Options Per Ornament

• 10 Count Aida: approximately 4¾ inches wide by 4¾ inches high
• 14 Count Aida: approximately 3⅜ inches wide by 3⅜ inches high
• 16 Count Aida: approximately 3 inches wide by 3 inches high
• 18 Count Aida: approximately 2⅝ inches wide by 2⅝ inches high

The pattern recommends adding 4 to 6 inches to each measurement when cutting fabric to allow adequate working margins.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several classic counted embroidery techniques that are standard in cross stitch work. Beginners will find the combination of stitches approachable, while the layering of techniques adds visual depth and detail to each ornament design.

• Cross Stitch: The primary technique used to fill in the design. Each cross stitch is worked over one square of Aida fabric using 3 strands of floss. Cross stitch involves forming an X-shaped stitch by working two diagonal stitches across a fabric intersection, and it is the foundational technique of this style of embroidery.
• Straight Stitch: Used for select detail areas, worked with either 1 or 3 strands of floss depending on the area indicated on the chart. Straight stitches are single, flat stitches used to add linear accents or fine details that cross stitch alone cannot achieve.
• Back Stitch: Used for outlining and fine detail work, worked with 1 strand of floss. Back stitch creates a continuous, clean line by working stitches backward into the end of the previous stitch, producing crisp outlines that define shapes and add definition to the finished ornaments.

Stitches Used

• Cross Stitch – 3 strands
• Straight Stitch – 1 or 3 strands
• Back Stitch – 1 strand

Materials – Fabric and Floss

The pattern is designed to be stitched on 14 Count White Aida fabric, which is the recommended base material. Aida is a woven evenweave fabric with a uniform grid of holes that makes counting and placing stitches straightforward, making it an ideal choice for beginners. Other fabric counts (10, 16, and 18 count) are also supported, allowing stitchers to adjust the finished ornament size to suit their preference.

The floss palette uses DMC stranded cotton embroidery floss in a rich selection of colors suited to a traditional Christmas color scheme. The full list of DMC thread colors specified in the pattern includes:

• DMC 300 – deep mahogany brown
• DMC 310 – black
• DMC 321 – classic Christmas red
• DMC 500 – deep forest green