Koi Stream Bookmark

A slender koi with a forked tail swims between reeds and short ripples.

28 × 64squares

576full crosses

5colors

Design size

2.00 × 4.57 in

Cut at least 8.00 × 10.75 in of Aida

The project bundle includes the complete symbol chart, DMC thread list, stitch order and illustrated finishing plan. See the finishing steps.

Stitch mode

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Your colors & materials

Estimate includes 20% extra. Tension and thread travel can change usage.

Symbol & color	Stitches	Single-strand length	Skein equivalent	Buy if needed
A DMC 712 - Cream	179	4.53 m	0.094	1 skein
B DMC 721 - Medium Orange Spice	280	7.23 m	0.151	1 skein
C DMC 336 - Navy Blue	8	0.36 m	0.008	1 skein
D DMC 931 - Medium Antique Blue	52	1.48 m	0.031	1 skein
E DMC 367 - Dark Pistachio Green	57	1.58 m	0.033	1 skein

A six-strand 8 m skein supplies 48 m of single strands. Use matching colors from your stash, or buy at least one skein per color. Screen colors are a guide.

Use the listed DMC Article 117 six-strand cotton numbers for this palette. Names and numbers were checked against the manufacturer list; screen swatches are illustrations, not calibrated thread colors. Compare real skeins before stitching. These projects have not been physically sample-stitched.

DMC Article 117 number and name list · 5 selected thread colors; sewing thread is separate.

Also gather a blunt tapestry needle, a hoop and scissors. Estimated stitching time: 3.6–6.4 hours at 90–160 stitches/hour. This estimate has not been timed by a stitcher.

From first stitch to finish

Body center

Work the ivory cells around the fish center, leaving the orange body patch and head cells for their own color.
Head and patch

Fill the orange head and off-center body patch. Check that the two patches follow different outlines.
Forked tail

Count downward from the body to the orange tail and preserve the blank notch between its two points.
Fins and eyes

Add both ivory fins and the paired navy eyes, checking each eye position from the head edge.
Water and reeds

Stitch the separate blue ripples and lower green reed; restart between water marks to avoid threads showing through blank cloth.
Check the swimmer

Check the tail notch, fin tips and ripple gaps. Secure tails before choosing the long-edge fold lines for the bookmark.

This design includes 1 intentional single stitches in details or stepped edges. End and restart the thread when a gap is longer than five squares.

From stitches to a finished piece

Koi Stream Bookmark · 14 count Aida

A felt-backed bookmark

Keep a counted border, fold the Aida edges and hand-sew a flat felt back.

Whole chart: 2.00 × 4.57 inIncludes the empty chart squares.
Working cloth: 8.00 × 10.75 inStart with this larger piece while stitching.
Finishing trim: 3.14 × 5.71 inCut this only after stitching and all fit checks.
Finished size: 2.57 × 5.14 inThe visible finished object.
Backing: 2.57 × 5.14 inDry fit before attaching.

The entered dimensions fit. Measure your supplies before cutting.

The 8.00 × 10.75 in working cloth contains the entire finishing trim line.

Visible border on every side: 4 squares / 0.29 inKeep this blank border outside the entire chart.
Fold under on every side: 4 squares / 0.29 inThe fold allowance is added outside the visible border.

Finishing supplies

Completed Aida, with the working allowance still attached
Felt cut to the finished bookmark size
Matching sewing thread, sharp hand-sewing needle and scissors
Ruler, removable marker and clips; an iron suitable for your fabric

These are measured-layout plans and original assembly diagrams. Fabric stretch, bulk, tape adhesion and the finished object have not been physically sample-tested. Make a paper dry fit and measure your actual supplies before cutting.

Diagrams are not full-size templates. Use the written dimensions and check any printer scale before tracing.

1. Secure the stitching
On the back, pass each thread tail under several existing stitches. Remove the hoop. If your materials allow pressing, lay the work face down on a clean towel and press gently from the back.
Check: The front keeps its raised crosses; no loose thread tail reaches an edge.
Secure the stitching · schematic, not to scale
2. Count the border and fold lines
Find the edges of the entire 28 × 64 chart, including blank squares. Count 4 blank squares beyond each edge for the fold line, then 4 more for the trim line. Finished size: 2.57 × 5.14 in.
Check: Measure opposite edges before cutting. The solid outer line and the dashed fold line are different.
Count the border and fold lines · schematic, not to scale
3. Cut the larger rectangle
After the fit checks pass, trim the Aida to 3.14 × 5.71 in. Follow a fabric thread so the cut stays square. Keep the corners intact for this simple overlapping fold.
Check: Every fold line remains inside the cut fabric with the full allowance.
Cut the larger rectangle · schematic, not to scale
4. Turn the raw edges to the back
With the back facing up, fold both long edges under by 4 squares (0.29 in). Fold the short edges next. Hold the corners flat with clips; keep folds outside the visible border.
Check: The front measures the planned finished size. Reopen uneven folds before sewing.
Turn the raw edges to the back · schematic, not to scale
5. Add the felt backing
Cut felt to 2.57 × 5.14 in. Lay it on the back to cover the raw edges. Check that it reaches all folded edges without showing beyond the front; adjust only the felt after a dry fit.
Check: Aida front faces out; folded raw edges and thread tails sit between Aida and felt.
Add the felt backing · schematic, not to scale
6. Slip stitch around all four edges
Start with a small knot hidden between the layers. Pick up a tiny bite of the Aida fold and then the felt edge, alternating around all four sides. Keep stitches about 3–4 mm apart and the thread relaxed. Bury the finishing knot and tail between layers.
Check: No sewing thread crosses the stitched design. Add a small extra stitch at any open corner.
Slip stitch around all four edges · schematic, not to scale
7. Check the bookmark in use
Inspect front, back and corners, then place it between two paper sheets. If an edge curls, ease the sewing tension and flatten the fold before resewing. Keep the finished bookmark dry and avoid pulling it by the stitches.
Check: The bookmark lies flat, the felt is secure and every raw edge is covered.
Check the bookmark in use · schematic, not to scale