Two fluffy cats share a fence rail in a sunflower-filled garden, with blue tits perched on a laundry line strung with tiny socks and a striped shirt overhead. It’s a warm, storybook scene worked entirely in PNK im. Kirova thread across a wide 375 × 260 stitch grid.
This is a richly blended design — many of the shading colors are stitched as two thread numbers combined in the needle rather than a single solid color, which is what gives the cats’ fur and the sunlit sky their soft, painterly depth. Below you’ll find the pattern facts, materials list, color key, and both the color and black & white chart downloads.
In This Article
Difficulty: Advanced (large project)
Fabric: Aida, 14–18 count
Stitch Count: 375 × 260 stitches
Finished Size: from 20.8″ × 14.4″ (18 ct) up to 26.8″ × 18.6″ (14 ct) — see the full size table in the FAQ
Colors: 98 PNK im. Kirova thread colors (31 solid + 67 blends)
Estimated Time: roughly 150–280 hours, varying by skill level, stitching pace, and how quickly you work through the blends
Pattern Preview
Materials & Supplies
- This pattern download — both the Color Chart and Black & White Chart versions are included
- Aida fabric, 14 to 18 count
- PNK im. Kirova brand embroidery floss — this pattern calls for 98 thread colors: 31 solid colors plus 67 blended colors (not DMC or Gamma — see the color key below for exact numbers)
- For blend colors, use one strand each of the two listed thread numbers combined in the same needle — not two strands of a single color
- Tapestry needle, size 24–26
- Embroidery scissors
- Hoop, Q-snap, or scroll frame — a scroll frame is worth considering given how wide this design is (375 stitches)
- Use 2 strands of thread total for each cross stitch
Tips for This Pattern
Before you start stitching
- This pattern has an unusually high number of blended colors — 67 of the 98 total. Sort your floss into solids and blends separately, and pre-pair the blend strands into labeled bobbins in batches before you start. This is the single biggest time-saver for a design like this one.
- Because the design is wide rather than tall, a scroll frame lets you work across it in sections without constantly repositioning a hoop.
- Work in vertical or horizontal blocks — left to right, or top to bottom — rather than trying to complete one element (like a cat) fully before moving on.
- Good, consistent light matters even more here than usual, since many of the blended shades sit close together in the cats’ fur and the sky shading.
- Keep the included color key close by throughout — with this many colors and blends, it’s easy to lose track of which two numbers make up a given blend.
Color & Symbol Guide
Download the Pattern
Color Chart Pattern
Watch Ad to Unlock DownloadBlack & White Chart Pattern
Watch Ad to Unlock DownloadFAQ
What brand of thread does this pattern use?
This pattern is charted for PNK im. Kirova brand thread — not DMC and not Gamma. The color key lists the exact thread numbers, including which two numbers make up each blended color, so check it rather than a DMC or Gamma number you may already know.
What does “BLEND” mean on the color key?
A blend color is stitched using one strand each of two different thread numbers held together in the same needle, rather than two strands of a single color. This pattern has 67 blend colors out of 98 total — a large share of the design — which is what gives the shading its soft, layered look.
Can I substitute DMC or Anchor thread instead of PNK im. Kirova?
Yes, with a conversion chart, though matches are approximate rather than exact. Given how many blended shades this design relies on, it’s worth test-stitching a small swatch of a few blends in your substituted brand before committing to the full piece.
What fabric size should I use?
Finished size depends on the Aida count you choose:
| Aida Count | Finished Size |
|---|---|
| 14 ct | 26.8″ × 18.6″ / 68.0 × 47.2 cm |
| 16 ct | 23.4″ × 16.3″ / 59.5 × 41.3 cm |
| 18 ct | 20.8″ × 14.4″ / 52.9 × 36.7 cm |
| 20 ct | 18.8″ × 13.0″ / 47.6 × 33.0 cm |
| 22 ct | 17.0″ × 11.8″ / 43.3 × 30.0 cm |
| 25 ct | 15.0″ × 10.4″ / 38.1 × 26.4 cm |
| 28 ct | 13.4″ × 9.3″ / 34.0 × 23.6 cm |
Is this a full coverage design?
Yes — the background is stitched throughout rather than left as bare fabric, which is part of why the finished piece looks so complete once framed.
How long does this pattern take to complete?
Plan on roughly 150–280 hours in total. This design is large on its own, and the heavy use of blended colors adds real prep and stitching time on top of that — many stitchers work a piece like this over the better part of a year.
Are both the color and black & white charts included?
Yes, both versions are included in the download — use whichever you prefer to stitch from, or print the black & white version to mark up by hand.
Conclusion
This garden scene is a genuine long-term project — between the wide 375-stitch canvas, the 98-color palette, and the 67 blended shades, it asks for patience more than speed. But that same blending is exactly what gives the cats’ fur, the sunflowers, and the summer sky their soft, painted depth once it’s finished.
Grab both chart versions below, sort your floss, and settle in. We’d love to see your progress if you share it!
