This post is all about the most popular cross stitch patterns for beginners.
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Busy Bee Cross Stitch Pattern
Downloadable pattern by DMC
This darling Bumblebee by DMC ranks at the top of the most popular cross stitch patterns for beginners on LoveCrafts. Sewn from 5 different colors, this FREE pattern is great for someone brand new to cross stitching.
To complete this project (and all of the projects on this list) you will need embroidery floss (download the pattern to see which colors you’ll need), aida cloth (to cross stitch on), needles and an embroidery hoop.
Consider making a set of cross stitches with these other FREE insect pattern downloads from DMC:
The Hare and the Butterfly Cross Stitch Pattern
Looking for more of a challenge? It doesn’t get much cuter than this ADORABLE hare by Designs by Lisa. Stitched in gray and brown shades on a neutral background gives this beginner cross stitch pattern a rustic feel.
Designs by Lisa cross stitch patterns rank high on the list of beginner patterns and are among the cutest animals we’ve seen in cross stitching!
Purchase and download The Hare and the Butterfly pattern instantly here. Can’t stop at just one? Consider these other cross stitch patterns by Designs by Lisa:
Even MORE animal cross stitch kits for beginners:
Follow the leader! This delightful Mother Duck Cross Stitch Kit includes your pattern, stranded cotton, needle and simple step-by-step instructions.
Calling all cat lovers! This Mama Cat Counted Cross Stitch Kit contains pre-sorted thread, 14 count light green Aida cloth, a needle and instructions.
The lovely blue background in this Wild Horse cross stitch kit is printed directly onto the Aida cloth. The kit contains pre-sorted thread, 14 count white Aida cloth with printed background, a needle and instructions.
Free Samplers!
Why not dive into a world of color and create a bold pattern using simple shapes? Each of these patterns ranked high among the most loved beginner cross stitch patterns on LoveCrafts.
Consider stitching a sampler or choose your favorite of these designs and decorate the front of a tote bag or tea towel! The possibilities are endless with these showstopping cross stitch patterns and they are all available as FREE PDF Downloads here.
Choose your favorite color pack of threads from DMC to get you started:
Love the patterns but unsure of how to use them? Consider these ideas from LoveCrafts:
Over the Rainbow Cross Stitch Patterns
Feeling a little blue? Grab a rainbow cross stitch kit from Etsy! Each one of these designs has been ranked a top selling beginner cross stitch pattern, so it seems you can’t go wrong, no matter which one you choose!
This gorgeous Rainbow Heart Cross Stitch Kit by ClimbingGoatDesigns is just waiting to be stitched. Included in your kit is: 14 count white cotton Aida fabric, a needle, DMC cotton threads (pre-sorted and ready to use), a pattern and instructions.
ClimbingGoatDesigns has even gone above an beyond, including 50% extra thread, to ensure you never run out, as well as a labelled box for storing your project.
This Rainbow Cross Stitch Kit from SimplyWishes is one of the most complete we’ve seen. They even include 1 meter of satin ribbon that you can use to hang up your finished project.
SimplyWishes also includes:
6 Skeins of bright OR pastel colored thread, white Aida cloth (25cm²), a 20cm² piece of white or yellow felt (to back your finished project), a 7″ bamboo embroidery hoop, 2 tapestry needles, pattern and instructions.
This counted cross stitch kit includes everything you need to stitch your own rainbow.
The kit includes: 14 count Aida fabric, embroidery thread, a
needle, pattern graph & instructions, and a 4 inch wooden hoop.
The completed design is 44 x 37 stitches and measures approximately 8cm x 6.5cm. It uses 9 different colours.
Whimsical Critter Cross Stitch Patterns
Of all the cutest critter cross stitch kits on Etsy, these three ranked highest in reviews and popularity! Create yourself a new companion and learn how to cross stitch along the way.
One stop shopping! Each of these kits has everything you need to complete your project!
This darling Owl Cross Stitch Kit by KnitKnotKrafts uses 8 colours, and measures approximately 7cm x 8.5cm when stitched on the 14 count Aida fabric provided. Materials include: Aida fabric, Embroidery thread, Needle, Flexi hoop, Instructions and Pattern
You’ll have everything you need to create this darling Hedgehog when you purchase the cross stitch kit. Designer CraftyKitCompany has included: 14 count Aida fabric, DMC embroidery threads, cross stitch needle, full colour pattern chart, beginners cross stitch guide, 15cm bamboo embroidery hoop. Finished size: 15cm diameter
This delightful Sea Otters Cross Stitch Kit by RachaelFaithCrafts is customizable and gives you a choice of fabric color AND PDF or paper pattern.
The kit includes a 6inch Hoop, 1 piece of aida cloth, a size 24 needle and all of the DMC threads you’ll need.
Sweet Tooth
Craving something sweet that contains ZERO calories? You’ve come to the right place!
Take your pick of these decadent dessert cross stitch patterns that all rank high in popularity on DMC and Etsy!
It doesn’t much cuter than a donut napping in a mug of coffee! DstitchshopArt brings us this amusing cross stitch pattern PDF that features black and white symbols and a DMC colors map.
The completed size of this pattern is 7.07 x8.07 inches and it uses 9 colors.
This cute little cupcake design by theworldinstitches is stitched in soft pastel shades will make delightful decoration.
The cupcake kit contains 14 count white Zweigart Aida, 5-inch Beechwood hoop, pre-sorted DMC threads, cross stitch needle and needle threader, printed colour chart and 14-page tutorial booklet.
Stitch yourself this FREE, retro-inspired pineapple upside down cake. This pattern would look fantastic in a frame, on table linen, tote bags or tea towels. Made using this set of Vibrant Stranded Cotton thread, choose your Aida cloth here and needles here.
Go Green!
Who says need to have a green thumb in order to have a few plants around the house? Stitch up one of these fantastic cross stitch patterns and they’ll never dry out – we promise!
Each of these patterns ranked high among the most popular beginner cross stitch patterns on Etsy and LoveCrafts.
The perfect house warming gift (for yourself or someone you love!) Cactus Cross Stitch Kit by MelocaDesigns is such a delightful design.
The kit includes printed cross stitch instructions, DMC stranded thread, pre-sorted thread holder, white aida fabric, an embroidery needle & hoop.
Another fantastic cross stitch pattern by MelocaDesigns, the Cactus Cross Stitch Kit includes instructions, a printed chart & key, DMC stranded thread and holder,
white aida fabric and an embroidery needle.
You are also give the option of purchasing a hoop and/or needle minder to go with your kit!
Calling All Book Lovers!
Here are some wonderful (and affordable!) books that feature beautiful cross stitch patterns for beginners. They each rank high in popularity and reviews on DMC and Amazon.
To celebrate the launch of the Mouliné 117 ™ thread, DMC invited 12 talented and original creators from different countries to create 12 exclusive charts. The result is this breathtaking book of cross stitch designs.
Purchase this book for less than $5 on the DMC website here.
Hailed “the golden encyclopedia of needlework”, the 2001 Cross Stitch Designs: The Essential Reference Book tops the Amazon list for cross stitching books for beginners.
It features designs for every occasion and category of stitching: holidays, alphabets, florals, nature, sports, children, babies, Christmas, animals, and more!
The perfect cross stitch pattern book for beginners, The Big Book of Cross-Stitch Designs provides over 800 illustrated instructions on how to prepare your fabric, and how to make your stitches. Seasoned stitchers can skip ahead to hundreds of motifs, including numbers and letters.
This post was all about the most popular Cross Stitch Patterns for beginners. This is just the first of a long list of fabulous cross stitch patterns available online.
Leave a comment below letting us know whether you’ve completed one of the cross stitches above and what your experience was. Do you have a favorite cross stitch pattern in mind? Link it below and we’ll be sure to take a look.
Please Note: For the purposes of this article, we searched “cross stitch” on Lovecrafts.com and filtered for “pattern” and “beginner”. We then sorted the results by “Most Loved”. We also searched Etsy.com for “Cross Stitch Patterns Beginners” and sorted the results by “Top Rated Customer Reviews”. We searched Amazon for “cross stitch books for beginners” and featured the top highest rated books. We searched DMC for books labelled “Best Sellers”.