DLTK's Crafts for Kids
Christmas Cross Stitch Pattern

A few beginner cross stitch patterns for children to make for Christmas!  The first pattern works well as a bookmark (you might want to make it a bit taller) on 8 or 11 count aida cloth (though those counts are a bit harder for the kids to use as the stitches are smaller).  The holly and star patterns would make a cute pillow on 6 or 8 count aida -- just cut a piece of matching fabric to the same size as the finished project, sew together and stuff -- add a little bit of cinnamon and/or clove to the stuffing to give it a nice scent.

They also makes a nice picture on plastic canvas or 6 count aida (terrific for beginners!).

The words on this project require backstitching.  If you're just starting to learn cross stitch, you can skip the words.  (For example, on the first Christmas pattern, you can just cut the words off the pattern template before giving it to the child).

To learn more about cross stitching (including ideas on how to turn projects into bookmarks, pillows or pictures), check out our "How to Cross Stitch" directions.

When I do these projects with the girls, I encourage them fill in the backgrounds with cross stitch instead of leaving it unstitched.  The long rows of single colored stitches are terrific practice.  But it's completely up to you!  It does make the project take a lot longer.

Materials:

• printer,
• paper,
• embroidery floss:

  Template 1:  see the template for recommendations for the colors needed

  Template 2:  light green, dark green, red and white
  
  Template 3:  dark blue and yellow

  • feel free to substitute colors!
    • If your child wants blue ornaments on the tree don't get stuck... just substitute blue floss for the red.
    • If you have left over floss lying around you can use that too (ex:  brown for "Merry Christmas" instead of red).
• Aida cloth with a low number (6 count Aida is 6 stitches per inch while 10 count is 10 stitches per inch...  The lower the number, the bigger the project ends up being and the easier it is for a beginner to complete)
  OR
• plastic canvas.
• embroidery hoop (a must! unless you're using plastic canvas).
• needle (20 or 22 work well, but any that fit 3 strands of floss will do).

Dimensions:

• Christmas tree pattern (first template)
  • 6 count aida:    5.2 x 7.0 inches
  • 8 count aida:    3.9 x 5.25 inches
  • 11 count aida:  2.8 x 3.8 inches.
• Holly pattern (second template)
  • 6 count aida:    6.7 x 5.0 inches
  • 8 count aida:    5.0 x 3.8 inches
  • 11 count aida:  3.6 x 2.7 inches.
• Star pattern (third template)
  • 6 count aida:    9.5 x 7.5 inches
  • 8 count aida:    7.1 x 5.6 inches
  • 11 count aida:  5.2 x 4.1 inches

Cross Stitch Instructions:

• Print out the template of choice (we have two different templates to choose from).
• Fold cloth in half and then in half again to find the center.
• Place hoop around cloth.  Start as close to center as you can.
• Cut about 18 inch pieces of floss and divide in half (so you have 3 strands of floss to work with).
• Start cross stitching!  To learn more about cross stitching, check out our "How to Cross Stitch" directions.

Cross Stitch Templates:

• Close template window when done printing to return to this screen.
• Set page margins to zero if you have trouble fitting the template on one page (FILE, PAGE SETUP or FILE, PRINTER SETUP in most browsers).

Tree Template    (color)   or   (B&W)

Holly Template   (color)   or   (B&W)

Star Template     (color)   or   (B&W)

Printable version of these instructions