Ski Cats Embroidery Kit
Welcome!
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Here, you’ll find everything you need to know to get started, to stitch the pattern, and to finish and display your completed piece.
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Have questions? Explore the FAQs and don’t hesitate to reach out: needleandspruce@gmail.com.
Ski Cats Embroidery Kit Overview
Kit Contents Include:
Box to hold materials
Instructional brochure
Fabric with design printed on it
6-inch beechwood hoop
3 embroidery needles
8 DMC embroidery floss colors:
Gray - DMC 640
Medium Blue - DMC 413
Light Blue - DMC 415
Deep Blue - DMC 796
Gold - DMC 783
Light Green - DMC 470
Red - DMC 817
Black - DMC 310
Getting Started
Separate the two hoops. Center the fabric design on top of the smaller hoop, then secure it taught with the larger hoop on top. Tighten the fastener at the top, pulling the canvas tight at the same time to create a smooth, even surface to work with.
Each piece of floss is composed of 6 individual strands. You can separate these out to create thinner and thicker lines when embroidering.
Cut about an arm’s length of embroidery floss at a time and separate out your desired number of strands. Tie both ends in a double knot to keep the thread in place in the back as you begin.
As you stitch, be sure to keep tension in the thread — but don’t stitch so tight that it puckers.
And if you make a mistake or don’t like the look of something, cut it out and start that section again!
Types of Stitches in This Pattern
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Split Stitch
Good for outlines and text. You’ll use this stitch to outline the cats, lift, and mountains.
The split back stitch and the back stitch would also work for these outlines.
Begin with a straight line. Pierce this stitch from the bottom (1) and go back down a stitch away (2). Repeat (3).
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Satin Stitch
Good for filling in larger spaces. You’ll use it to fill in the lift, hat, goggles, and trees.
Begin with a straight line (1,2). Come back up from the same side as 1 to maintain stitch direction (3). Fill shape.
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Turkey Stitch
Makes fluffy piles and fringe! You’ll use this stitch to create the fuzzy portions of the hat, as well as the scarf fringe. With the hat, you’ll cut the ends very close to the fabric — just trim bits at a time until you get the desired effect. Be sure to spread out the bits of thread to get it nice and fluffy. For the scarf, you’ll cut the loops and then make one cut straight across, about half an inch from the fabric (or however long you want the scarf to be). It can be a bit tricky, so it’s highly recommended that you watch the video tutorial.
To start, begin by piecing the fabric from the top (1), leaving the unknotted tail on the front of your piece.
Bring the needle up directly next to the first stitch (2), then go down directly to the left of the first hole (3). Next, come back up in the first hole again (1) and pull the thread taut to tack down the tail. To make your first loop, g down in the fabric again (4) but do not pull tight — be sure to leave a loop of thread. Repeat this process (5,6) until you’ve achieved the desired number of loops.
You can leave the loops as-is, or cut or trim them to create various effects.
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French Knot
Makes small knot-shaped circles. You’ll use this stitch for the clouds. A colonial knot stitch would also work here.
Wrap thread around the needle and place the needle tip back near the exit point (2). Pull the thread taught while pulling the needle smoothly through to create a knot.
How to Stitch the Design
Step 1: Cats
Outline the cats using split stitch, and use satin stitch for filling in some detail.
Use 2 strands of 783 to stitch the outline of the cat on the left using split stitch. Use satin stitch to fill in the tail and back legs. Use a single strand of 817 to create dimension if desired.
Use 2 strands of 640 to stitch the outline of the cat on the right using split stitch. Use satin stitch to fill in the tail and body periphery.
Step 2: Cat Accessories
Use satin stitch and turkey stitch on the hat and scarf, and satin stitch on the goggles.
Use 1-2 strands of 640 to fill in the middle section of the hat on the cat on the left using satin stitch.
Use 3-5 strands of 415 to create the fluffy top and bottom of the hat using turkey stitch. About two rows of the stitches should suffice. Once the loops are completed, tie off the thread in the back and use a small pair of scissors to cut the loops open. Separate the threads further so they become bushier, and continue snipping closer to the fabric to create the desired fuzzy effect.
Use 2-3 strands of 470 to create the neck portion of the scarf on the cat on the right using satin stitch.
Use 2-3 strands of 470 to create loops for the flowy part of the scarf using turkey stitch. There should be about 3-5 individual loops after you tie the thread off in the back, and the loops should be about an inch long. Using a small pair of scissors, snip the loops open, and then trim to the desired length.
Use 2-3 strands of 415 to fill in the goggles on the same cat using satin stitch. Then, use 1 strand of 413 to outline the goggles and add in some texture if desired.
Use 1 strand of 310 to outline the cats’ facial features.
Step 3: Chairlift
Use 2-3 strands of 817 for the chairlift, first using satin stitch to fill in the seat and backrest, then using split stitch to outline.
Use 2-3 strands of 413 to outline the chairlift bar and cable using split stitch.
Step 4: Mountains
Use 2-3 strands of 413 to outline the mountains using split stitch. “Shade” in the mountain halves by either using split stitch or straight, uninterrupted lines.
Use 2-3 strands of 796 to underline the “shading” directly below the previously made lines.
Use 2-3 strands of 470 to make the trees, first using satin stitch to fill them in, and then making straight, uninterrupted lines to outline their “V” shape.
Step 5: Clouds
Fill in the clouds with french knots. Alternatively, use colonial knots. Satin stitch and outlining would work well here too.
Use 6 strands of 415 to fill in the clouds with french knots.
Use 2-6 strands of 796 to add darker detail to the clouds using french knots.
Finishing the Hoop
There are a number of ways to finish the back of the hoop once you’re done. One method:
Thread a needle with more than enough thread to go all the way around the circle – whatever you have leftover.
Then, using large running stitches, working about ¼ inch from the fabric edge, sew the excess cloth around the circle.
When you reach the beginning, pull both ends of thread to gather the fabric tightly and secure with a double knot.
Here’s a video for how to do this. Or if you have felt at home, consider giving this method a try!
And if you have hot glue at home, another method is to cut the excess fabric, leaving about a ¼ inch around the edge of the hoop. Then, hot glue the cut edges down along the inside hoop at the back.
Once you’re done, post a photo of your finished piece, tag @needleandspruce, and use the hashtag #needleandspruce! We love to see your creations! 🌲
