North Woods Christmas Heirloom Stocking - PDF

North Woods Christmas Heirloom Stocking – Cross Stitch Pattern by Kooler Design Studio

The North Woods Christmas Heirloom Stocking (KDS #2090) is a beautifully detailed cross stitch embroidery pattern designed by Sandy Orton for Kooler Design Studio. Released in 2018, this downloadable PDF chart belongs to the Kooler Classic Charts collection and is rated as an advanced embroidery project, making it an ideal challenge for experienced stitchers looking to create a timeless, heirloom-quality Christmas decoration. The finished stocking is designed to be displayed as a holiday keepsake and can be personalized with a name line included in the chart layout.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a large, decorative Christmas stocking with a rich North Woods aesthetic — evoking the classic imagery of woodland holiday scenes. The finished piece is intended as a heirloom decoration, crafted to be treasured and passed down through generations. The chart includes a personalization line so stitchers can add a custom name, making each stocking uniquely meaningful.

Stitch Count and Finished Size

The design has a stitch count of 136 wide by 211 high. Depending on the fabric count used, the finished dimensions will vary:

• 12.5-count over 2 threads: approximately 10⅞ inches wide by 16½ inches tall
• 14-count: approximately 9⅝ inches wide by 15 inches tall
• 16-count: approximately 8½ inches wide by 13⅛ inches tall
• 18-count: approximately 7½ inches wide by 11⅝ inches tall

Stitchers are advised to add 4 to 6 inches to each measurement when cutting their fabric to allow adequate margins for finishing and framing the stocking.

Recommended Fabric

The design is specified to be stitched on 25-count Mushroom Lugana Evenweave fabric, worked over 2 threads, which effectively produces a 12.5-count stitching surface. Lugana is a popular evenweave fabric prized for its smooth, even texture and its ability to produce crisp, well-defined stitches — qualities that are especially important in a detailed heirloom project like this one.

Techniques Used

This is a multi-technique embroidery pattern that goes well beyond basic cross stitch, requiring proficiency in several different embroidery methods:

• Full Cross Stitch – the primary stitch forming the main body of the design, worked with 3 strands of floss over 2 threads of evenweave fabric
• Half Cross Stitch (½ Stitch) – used for shading and transitional areas, also worked with 3 strands
• Quarter Cross Stitch (¼ Stitch) – worked over 1 thread for fine detail and curved edges, using 3 strands
• Backstitch – used for outlining and defining details, worked with 1 or 2 strands of floss depending on the area
• Straight Stitch – used for fine linear details, worked with 1 or 4 strands depending on the element
• French Knots – used for textural accent details, worked with 1 strand of floss

The combination of these techniques gives the finished stocking exceptional depth, texture, and visual complexity — hallmarks of a true heirloom embroidery piece. The variation in strand counts across different stitch types allows for nuanced shading and fine detail that elevate the overall design.

Materials – Floss and Thread

The pattern uses DMC stranded cotton embroidery floss throughout. A wide palette of colors is specified, including shades of red, green, blue, gold, neutral, and brown tones that are characteristic of a classic North Woods holiday color scheme. The full color and symbol listing includes DMC numbers such as:

• DMC 221, 223 – deep and medium rose/mauve tones
• DMC 304, 815