Easy Cross Stitch Patterns for Beginners to Print and Stitch
Start with one of these 20 free beginner cross stitch patterns. Each chart is an A4 PDF with a DMC thread legend and a symbol chart: 165–606 stitches, 8 DMC colors or fewer and up to 29 stitches wide, with charts of a single A4 page. Animals, flowers, houses and more: download one with no sign-up and no payment.
The patterns in the Video games category are original fan designs drawn as pixel art. They are not sprites from any game and have no affiliation with the games’ creators.
Beginner cross stitch patterns
Duck Cross Stitch Pattern
18 × 16 stitches · 5 DMC colors · 3 pages
165 stitches · 1.3 × 1.1 in (14 ct)
Download PDFPDF · 16 KB · p0005
Sailboat Cross Stitch Pattern
15 × 21 stitches · 6 DMC colors · 3 pages
183 stitches · 1.1 × 1.5 in (14 ct)
Download PDFPDF · 17 KB · p0040
Rabbit Cross Stitch Pattern
17 × 18 stitches · 6 DMC colors · 3 pages
202 stitches · 1.2 × 1.3 in (14 ct)
Download PDFPDF · 17 KB · p0004
Farm Chicken Cross Stitch Pattern
20 × 20 stitches · 7 DMC colors · 3 pages
210 stitches · 1.4 × 1.4 in (14 ct)
Download PDFPDF · 17 KB · p0002
Parsnip Cross Stitch Pattern
16 × 26 stitches · 7 DMC colors · 3 pages
214 stitches · 1.1 × 1.9 in (14 ct)
Download PDFPDF · 18 KB · p0001
Heart Cross Stitch Pattern
23 × 14 stitches · 4 DMC colors · 3 pages
238 stitches · 1.6 × 1.0 in (14 ct)
Download PDFPDF · 17 KB · p0030
Cactus Cross Stitch Pattern
16 × 25 stitches · 6 DMC colors · 3 pages
240 stitches · 1.1 × 1.8 in (14 ct)
Download PDFPDF · 18 KB · p0033
Watering Can Cross Stitch Pattern
26 × 16 stitches · 5 DMC colors · 3 pages
242 stitches · 1.9 × 1.1 in (14 ct)
Download PDFPDF · 18 KB · p0006
Pumpkin Cross Stitch Pattern
24 × 18 stitches · 5 DMC colors · 3 pages
273 stitches · 1.7 × 1.3 in (14 ct)
Download PDFPDF · 18 KB · p0034
Rainbow Cross Stitch Pattern
26 × 14 stitches · 7 DMC colors · 3 pages
276 stitches · 1.9 × 1.0 in (14 ct)
Download PDFPDF · 18 KB · p0035
Farm Cow Cross Stitch Pattern
26 × 16 stitches · 6 DMC colors · 3 pages
282 stitches · 1.9 × 1.1 in (14 ct)
Download PDFPDF · 19 KB · p0003
Tulip Cross Stitch Pattern
16 × 26 stitches · 4 DMC colors · 3 pages
292 stitches · 1.1 × 1.9 in (14 ct)
Download PDFPDF · 19 KB · p0031
Bee Cross Stitch Pattern
24 × 18 stitches · 5 DMC colors · 3 pages
312 stitches · 1.7 × 1.3 in (14 ct)
Download PDFPDF · 19 KB · p0038
Little House Cross Stitch Pattern
21 × 21 stitches · 8 DMC colors · 3 pages
345 stitches · 1.5 × 1.5 in (14 ct)
Download PDFPDF · 20 KB · p0041
Sunflower Cross Stitch Pattern
19 × 27 stitches · 7 DMC colors · 3 pages
351 stitches · 1.4 × 1.9 in (14 ct)
Download PDFPDF · 21 KB · p0032
Butterfly Cross Stitch Pattern
26 × 20 stitches · 5 DMC colors · 3 pages
430 stitches · 1.9 × 1.4 in (14 ct)
Download PDFPDF · 22 KB · p0037
Cat Cross Stitch Pattern
20 × 26 stitches · 7 DMC colors · 3 pages
440 stitches · 1.4 × 1.9 in (14 ct)
Download PDFPDF · 23 KB · p0036
Owl Cross Stitch Pattern
21 × 26 stitches · 8 DMC colors · 3 pages
486 stitches · 1.5 × 1.9 in (14 ct)
Download PDFPDF · 24 KB · p0039
Halloween Ghost Cross Stitch Pattern
29 × 25 stitches · 2 DMC colors · 3 pages
526 stitches · 2.1 × 1.8 in (14 ct)
Download PDFPDF · 22 KB · p0042
Halloween Candy Corn Cross Stitch Pattern
29 × 32 stitches · 4 DMC colors · 3 pages
606 stitches · 2.1 × 2.3 in (14 ct)
Download PDFPDF · 24 KB · p0050
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What makes a cross stitch pattern good for beginners
A first chart should be small, use few colors and need only full cross stitches. The patterns on this page are up to 29 stitches wide and use 8 DMC colors or fewer, so you buy few skeins and never get lost in a huge grid. Every chart is made of full cross stitches only: there is no backstitch, French knot or fractional stitch to learn.
Each PDF has a cover with the finished size on Aida 14, 16 and 18, a legend that pairs every symbol with a DMC code, and a chart with a bold line every 10 stitches to help you count. Squares without a symbol are background and stay unstitched.
How big are these beginner patterns?
The numbers are measured from the PDFs on this page, not estimated: stitches, DMC colors and A4 pages of the chart.
- Easy
- 20 patterns · 165–606 stitches · 2–8 DMC colors · up to 29 stitches wide.
- Start here for a first chart or a small, uncomplicated project; the chart takes a single A4 page.
Your first cross stitch, step by step
- Pick the smallest chartThe grid is sorted from easiest to hardest. For a very first project try “Duck Cross Stitch Pattern”: 165 stitches in 5 colors, about 1.3 × 1.1 in (14 ct).
- Print on A4 at 100%Open the PDF and print without “fit to page”, so the grid keeps its scale.
- Prepare fabric and flossUse 14 count Aida and a size 24 tapestry needle. Cut the fabric with a 2 to 3 inch (5 to 8 cm) margin on every side beyond the finished size. Cut floss about 18 inches (45 cm) long, separate the strands and use 2.
- Start in the middleFold the fabric in half twice to find its center, and start near the middle of the chart, so the design ends up centered.
- Stitch one color at a timeEach cross is two diagonals: sew a row of “/” first, then come back with the “\”. Always make the top diagonal go the same way so the stitches look even.
- Finish neatly at the backWeave the thread ends under the stitches on the back, and do not carry floss across bare fabric.
Want a first pattern of your own picture?
Upload a photo or a simple drawing to the pattern maker. To start, choose a small width and 10 colors or fewer, and preview it for free. Each new pattern costs 1 credit, and you get 1 free credit when you sign up.
Try for freeFrequently asked questions
Are these beginner cross stitch patterns free?
Yes. All 20 PDFs on this page download without a sign-up and without payment.
What is the easiest cross stitch pattern to start with?
The smallest one on this page is “Duck Cross Stitch Pattern”: 165 stitches in 5 colors, about 1.3 × 1.1 in (14 ct). All 20 patterns are at most 29 stitches wide and use 8 colors or fewer.
What supplies do I need to start cross stitch?
Aida 14 cloth, DMC floss in the colors listed in the legend, a size 24 tapestry needle and scissors. A hoop is optional but keeps the fabric taut.
How many strands of floss should I use?
On 14 count Aida the usual choice is 2 strands: separate the 6 strands of the floss and put just 2 back together.
How do I read a cross stitch chart?
Each square is one stitch, and its symbol tells you the thread: the legend pairs it with a DMC code. Bold lines every 10 stitches help you count, and blank squares stay unstitched.
Do I need to know backstitch for these patterns?
No. Every chart uses full cross stitches only.
Can I get a first pattern from my own picture?
Yes. Upload a photo or a drawing to the pattern maker, choose a small width and few colors, and preview it for free. Each new pattern costs 1 credit, and you get 1 free credit when you sign up.
Download a beginner pattern, or turn your own picture into a simple chart: the preview is free and you need no card to start.
Try for freeUpload a photo and see your pattern in seconds. No account needed to preview.