It's a Zoo in Here! - PDF

It's a Zoo in Here! Cross Stitch Embroidery Pattern – KDS #1215 by Kooler Design Studio

It's a Zoo in Here! is a charming counted cross stitch embroidery design created by Linda Gillum for Kooler Design Studio (KDS #1215), a well-established independent design house based in Lafayette, California. This downloadable PDF pattern is classified as an intermediate level project and is intended to be stitched as a decorative piece — perfect for framing, displaying in a child's room, or gifting to animal lovers of all ages.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a finished embroidered decoration featuring a playful zoo-themed design. With a stitch count of 41 stitches wide by 54 stitches high, it is a compact yet detailed composition that translates beautifully across multiple fabric counts. The finished design is suitable for framing or mounting as a standalone decorative piece.

Fabric and Material Specifications

The design is intended to be stitched on 14 Count White Aida fabric, which is the standard recommendation from the designer. Aida cloth is a popular even-weave fabric widely used in counted cross stitch because its clearly defined holes make it easy to count and place stitches accurately — ideal for intermediate stitchers working with detailed, multi-element designs like this one.

• Recommended fabric: 14 Count White Aida
• Thread: Six-strand embroidery floss (specific colors listed in the pattern's floss and symbol chart)
• Strands for full and quarter stitches: 3 strands
• Strands for backstitching: 1 strand

The pattern includes a full Floss and Symbol Listing, allowing stitchers to match each symbol on the chart to its corresponding thread color with ease.

Finished Size Options

One of the practical advantages of counted cross stitch is the ability to adjust the finished size simply by choosing a different fabric count. The chart provides finished size estimates across several fabric counts:

• 10 Count Aida: approximately 4 inches wide by 5½ inches high
• 14 Count Aida: approximately 3 inches wide by 3⅞ inches high
• 16 Count Aida: approximately 2½ inches wide by 3⅜ inches high
• 18 Count Aida: approximately 2¼ inches wide by 3 inches high

As noted in the pattern, stitchers should add 4–6 inches to each measurement when cutting their fabric to allow for framing, finishing, and hoop placement.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several classic counted cross stitch techniques that are standard for intermediate-level embroidery projects:

• Full Cross Stitches: The primary stitch used to fill in the main areas of the design, worked over one square of Aida using 3 strands of floss. A full cross stitch is formed by two diagonal stitches that cross in the center, creating the characteristic X shape associated with counted cross stitch.
• Quarter Stitches (¼ Stitches): Used to add detail and refine curved edges or fine features within the design. Quarter stitches cover only one quarter of a fabric square, allowing for more precise shaping of the motifs — a technique that adds visual complexity and is a hallmark of intermediate-level patterns.
• Backstitching: Worked with a single strand of floss, backstitching is used to outline shapes, add fine details, and define the contours of the zoo animals and other design elements. This technique gives the finished piece a crisp, polished look and brings the imagery to life with clear definition.

Stitches Used

• Full Cross Stitch – worked with 3 strands of embroidery floss
• Quarter Stitch (¼ Stitch) – worked with 3 strands of embroidery floss
• Backstitch – worked with 1 strand of embroidery floss

Tools and Materials at a Glance