Generating thread stitch coloring data for an in-line thread coloring process

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions, which when executed by one or more processors of a control unit, cause the processors to:

• obtain first thread stitch coloring data based on a digital representation that is to be produced as a decorative thread pattern, the first thread stitch coloring da a having a set of color representations assigned to a corresponding set of thread source representations;
• obtain at least one thread color boundary from the first thread stitch coloring data, each thread color boundary defining a color change from a first color to a second color among said set of color representations;
• determine residual stitch data based on the at least one thread color boundary, the residual stitch data being indicative of a amber of residual stitches required in order to carry out said color change in an in-line thread coloring process;
• and
• generate second thread stitch coloring data based on the residual stitch data such that the color change of the first thread stitch coloring data is accounted for in the in-line thread coloring process, the second thread stitch coloring data having a set of color representations assigned to a single thread source representation.