Free Cross Stitch Patterns: 5 Beginner PDFs to Download
Here are five free cross stitch patterns to download as PDFs. We designed them for beginners: each one is small, uses whole cross stitches only, and needs between one and five colors. Every PDF has a color chart with symbols, a DMC thread key, and the stitch count.
Heart
15 x 13 stitches. About 1.1 x 0.9 inches on 14-count Aida. 1 color: red.
The easiest one. One color, no color changes.
Download the Heart PDF
Star
15 x 14 stitches. About 1.1 x 1.0 inches on 14-count Aida. 1 color: yellow.
One color, with points that teach you to count carefully.
Download the Star PDF
Tulip
13 x 19 stitches. About 0.9 x 1.4 inches on 14-count Aida. 2 colors: pink and green.
Your first color change, with a thin stem.
Download the Tulip PDF
Strawberry
13 x 15 stitches. About 0.9 x 1.1 inches on 14-count Aida. 3 colors: red, green and yellow.
Single seed stitches inside a block of red.
Download the Strawberry PDF
Little House
15 x 15 stitches. About 1.1 x 1.1 inches on 14-count Aida. 5 colors.
The most colors. Good practice for blocks and straight edges.
Download the Little House PDF
What is in each PDF
- A chart where each square is one cross stitch
- A color and a symbol in every square, so it works in color or black-and-white print
- Heavy lines every 5 squares for easy counting
- Pink arrows that mark the center, where you start
- A thread key with DMC floss numbers and the number of stitches in each color
What you need
- A piece of 14-count Aida, about 6 inches square. That leaves a wide margin around every design here.
- DMC six-strand floss in the colors on the key. One skein of each is far more than enough.
- A size 24 tapestry needle
- A 4 or 5 inch hoop, if you like to use one
- Small scissors
The patterns use these DMC colors: 321 Red, 604 Light Cranberry, 702 Kelly Green, 743 Medium Yellow, 798 Dark Delft Blue, and 310 Black. You can swap in any colors you like.
How to stitch them
- Fold the fabric in half both ways to find the center.
- Find the center of the chart with the pink arrows.
- Cut about 18 inches of floss and separate two strands. See our cross stitch thread guide.
- Start at the center and count out from there. Stitch one color at a time.
- Make every top stitch slant the same way.
New to cross stitch? Read how to cross stitch for beginners first.
Which one first?
| Pattern | Stitches | Colors | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heart | 124 | 1 | Your very first stitches |
| Star | 104 | 1 | Counting practice |
| Tulip | 117 | 2 | Your first color change |
| Strawberry | 124 | 3 | Single stitches inside a block |
| Little House | 141 | 5 | Several colors and straight edges |
Ideas for the finished pieces
- Leave one in a small hoop as a wall decoration.
- Mount one on a blank greeting card.
- Stitch several on one piece of fabric to make a sampler.
- Frame one. See how to frame cross stitch.
Change the size
The patterns come out a little over an inch across on 14-count Aida. On 11-count they come out bigger, and on 18-count smaller. Check any size with our fabric calculator.
Make your own
When you finish these, try designing one. Print our free graph paper and follow how to make your own cross stitch pattern.
Terms of use
These patterns are free for personal use. Stitch them, gift what you stitch, and print copies for a class. Please do not sell the PDFs or post the files elsewhere. Link to this page instead.
