A sweet, wide-eyed cat face peeks out from the center of a golden sunflower, its round petals wrapping around like a cozy little bonnet. It’s a fun, kawaii-style design worked in DMC thread across a 200 × 186 stitch grid.
Unlike a lot of our patterns, this one is stitched edge to edge — the petals and the cat’s face are filled in completely, with no bare fabric showing through the design itself. Below you’ll find the pattern facts, materials list, color key, and all four pattern file downloads.
In This Article
Difficulty: Intermediate
Fabric: Aida, 14–28 count
Stitch Count: 200 × 186 stitches
Finished Size: from 7.1″ × 6.6″ (28 ct) up to 14.3″ × 13.3″ (14 ct) — see the full size table in the FAQ
Colors: 21 DMC thread colors
Estimated Time: roughly 30–45 hours, varying by skill level and stitching pace
Pattern Preview
Materials & Supplies
- This pattern download — the Color Chart, Black & White Chart, a One Page Pattern version, and a Pattern Keeper app file are all included
- Aida fabric, 14 to 28 count. Recommended colors: White, Antique White, Cream, Ivory, Light Beige, Soft Yellow, Natural, or Natural Linen-Look Aida
- DMC brand embroidery floss — this pattern calls for 21 colors, mostly soft golds and warm whites for the petals and face
- Tapestry needle, size 24–26
- Embroidery scissors
- Hoop, Q-snap, or scroll frame — a scroll frame is worth considering given the design is stitched edge to edge
- Use 2 strands of thread for all cross stitching
Tips for This Pattern
Before you start stitching
- With 21 colors, sort and label your floss before you start — many of the petal shades are subtly different golds, so it’s easy to mix them up without a system.
- Start with the cat’s face, since the eyes are the focal point — getting the shading right there first makes the rest of the piece easier to build around.
- Because this design is stitched edge to edge, plan for more total stitching time than the grid size alone might suggest.
- Work the petals one at a time around the circle rather than jumping between opposite sides, so the shading stays consistent all the way around.
Color & Symbol Guide
Download the Pattern
Color Chart Pattern
Watch Ad to Unlock DownloadBlack & White Chart Pattern
Watch Ad to Unlock DownloadOne Page Pattern
Watch Ad to Unlock DownloadPattern Keeper App File
Watch Ad to Unlock DownloadFAQ
What brand of thread does this pattern use?
This pattern is charted for DMC brand thread. The color key lists all 21 DMC numbers used, along with the name and stitch count for each.
What fabric size should I use?
Finished size depends on the Aida count you choose:
| Aida Count | Finished Size |
|---|---|
| 14 ct | 14.3″ × 13.3″ / 36.3 × 33.7 cm |
| 16 ct | 12.5″ × 11.6″ / 31.8 × 29.5 cm |
| 18 ct | 11.1″ × 10.3″ / 28.2 × 26.2 cm |
| 20 ct | 10.0″ × 9.3″ / 25.4 × 23.6 cm |
| 22 ct | 9.1″ × 8.5″ / 23.1 × 21.5 cm |
| 25 ct | 8.0″ × 7.4″ / 20.3 × 18.9 cm |
| 28 ct | 7.1″ × 6.6″ / 18.1 × 16.9 cm |
Is this a full coverage design?
Yes — the petals and the cat’s face are stitched throughout rather than left as bare fabric, which is what gives the finished piece its clean, rounded shape.
How long does this pattern take to complete?
Plan on roughly 30–45 hours in total. Because the design is stitched edge to edge and uses 21 subtly shaded colors, it takes longer than a similarly sized open-background pattern.
What’s included in the download?
Four files: the full-color chart, a black & white chart you can print and mark up by hand, a condensed one-page version of the pattern, and a file formatted for the Pattern Keeper app if you prefer to stitch from your phone or tablet.
Conclusion
This kawaii sunflower cat is a fun, rewarding stitch — the edge-to-edge coverage and soft, shaded petals take a bit more time than an open-background design, but the payoff is an adorably finished piece with real presence once framed.
Grab all four pattern files below, sort your floss, and settle in. We’d love to see your progress if you share it!
