ooking for a Free Cross Stitch Pattern Koi Fish that brings peace, beauty, and challenge to your needlework? This advanced koi fish cross stitch design immerses you in a serene underwater garden, where shimmering koi glide through lily pads, lotus blooms, and soft rays of filtered sunlight. Whether you’re a seasoned stitcher craving complexity or a nature enthusiast who appreciates aquatic themes, this counted cross stitch pattern offers a rewarding project worth every stitch.
A Breathtaking Scene in Thread: Pattern Overview
This free cross stitch design captures the quiet grace of koi fish swimming among lush underwater flora. The koi are brought to life using a balanced palette of whites, oranges, golds, and earthy grays. Every fish is finely shaded to suggest glimmering scales and flowing fins in motion. Soft sunlight filters from above, casting delicate reflections across the aquatic plants and enhancing the design’s depth.
The background vegetation includes lotus flowers, lily pads, and submerged greenery, with bubbles subtly rising to create natural rhythm and flow. It’s a visual story of tranquility and life beneath the surface—ideal for wall art, spa room décor, or a centerpiece in a nature-themed stitching collection.
Free Cross Stitch Pattern Koi Fish Difficulty Level: Advanced
This free counted cross stitch pattern is designed for experienced stitchers. Its complexity lies in:
- Dense stitch areas
- Frequent color transitions
- Highly detailed shading in fish and plants
Expect a challenging but deeply satisfying stitching experience, especially if you enjoy technical designs and realistic textures.
👕 Because stitching tiny Xs wasn’t weird enough — now it’s on a mug. You know you want one:

Recommended Fabric and Thread
To bring this underwater world to life, use high-quality materials that enhance the pattern’s detail and color vibrancy.
Suggested Fabric and Floss:
- Fabric: 14-count Aida cloth in pale blue or hand-dyed aqua shades for an aquatic backdrop
- Thread: DMC embroidery floss (full list in the chart below)
- Needles: Size 24 tapestry needles
🧵 Recommended Materials and Tools for Free Cross Stitch Pattern Koi Fish
Get the most out of your stitching session with these essential tools:
- Premium pure white cotton Fabric: 14-count Aida cloth in soft colors 👉buy on Amazon
- Floss kit with 124 vibrant skeins 👉buy on Amazon
- Set of tapestry needles made of stainless steel 👉buy on Amazon
🛠️ Additional Cross Stitch Accessories
Take your crafting comfort to the next level with these helpful additions:
- Magnifying Glasses with Light for Cross stitching 👉buy on Amazon
- Set of 12 durable 3″ bamboo embroidery hoops 👉buy on Amazon
- Beaditive Precision Craft Scissors 👉buy on Amazon
- 360° rotating beech wood thread rack with 93 spindles and inner storage 👉buy on Amazon
- Adjustable 44cm beech wood embroidery stand with 360° rotation 👉buy on Amazon
- Set of 40 fine-tip fabric pens with vibrant, permanent, non-toxic ink 👉buy on Amazon
Convert Pattern Size for 14-Count Aida
Design Size: 300 x 300 stitches
Fabric Count: 14-count Aida
How to Calculate:
- Width: 300 ÷ 14 = 21.43 inches (54.43 cm)
- Height: 300 ÷ 14 = 21.43 inches (54.43 cm)
This makes it ideal for framing or showcasing in large embroidery hoops or quilt panels.
DMC Floss Color Table
Here’s a complete list of colors used in this koi fish cross stitch chart. Each floss brings depth, contrast, and texture to the overall design.
Symbol | DMC Code | Name | Stitches |
---|---|---|---|
1 | B5200 | Snow White | 490 |
2 | 14 | Apple Green – Pale | 2566 |
3 | 16 | Chartreuse – Light | 224 |
4 | 166 | Moss Green – Medium Light | 566 |
5 | 310 | Black | 2620 |
6 | 370 | Mustard – Medium | 1874 |
7 | 371 | Mustard | 1249 |
8 | 433 | Brown – Medium | 715 |
9 | 581 | Moss Green | 980 |
10 | 640 | Beige Gray – Very Dark | 4598 |
11 | 644 | Beige Gray – Medium | 5395 |
12 | 648 | Beaver Gray – Light | 5413 |
13 | 680 | Old Gold – Dark | 978 |
14 | 704 | Chartreuse – Bright | 1444 |
15 | 739 | Tan – Ultra Very Light | 3147 |
16 | 779 | Cocoa – Dark | 1339 |
17 | 895 | Hunter Green – Very Dark | 10955 |
18 | 920 | Copper – Medium | 504 |
19 | 937 | Avocado Green – Medium | 4356 |
20 | 966 | Baby Green – Medium | 4156 |
21 | 987 | Forest Green – Dark | 2130 |
22 | 3022 | Brown Gray – Medium | 5801 |
23 | 3072 | Beaver Gray – Very Light | 4870 |
24 | 3371 | Black Brown | 5225 |
25 | 3781 | Mocha Brown – Dark | 2325 |
26 | 3815 | Celadon Green – Dark | 6787 |
27 | 3816 | Celadon Green | 3662 |
28 | 3826 | Golden Brown | 772 |
29 | 3849 | Teal Green – Light | 2949 |
30 | 3864 | Mocha Beige – Light | 1910 |
Creative Finishing Ideas
This free cross stitch chart is perfect for:
- Framing in a deep shadow box with a blue mat
- Displaying as a spa room centerpiece
- Incorporating into a quilt or cushion panel
- Pairing with other aquatic or nature-themed xstitch patterns
Personalization Tips
Want to make it yours?
- Use hand-dyed Aida fabric for a watercolor effect
- Add metallic floss in the bubbles or koi fins for a shimmer
- Stitch a custom border with your initials or a quote
- Blend it into a series of cross and stitch ocean or nature scenes
🧰 Extra Tools Worth Considering
If you’re ready to elevate your stitching setup, these are highly recommended by experienced cross stitchers.
They’re also perfect gift ideas for craft lovers.
- LED Desk or Clip-On Light – Perfect for evening stitching or working in low-light environments 👉buy on Amazon
- Portable Embroidery Organizer Bag – Keep your threads, hoops, needles, and projects neatly stored and easy to carry 👉buy on Amazon
- Water-Soluble Stabilizer Sheets – Great for beginners or working with detailed patterns 👉buy on Amazon
- Silicone Finger Protectors (Thimbles) – Help reduce discomfort during long stitching sessions 👉buy on Amazon
DOWNLOAD Free Cross Stitch Pattern Koi Fish HERE
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