Free cardinal cross stitch pattern

A plump red cardinal with a black mask, a gold beak and a darker wing, 24 by 29 stitches in five DMC colors. Sized for a card, an ornament or a small hoop.

This pattern started as an AI draft and was polished by hand.

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From December 1: Open PetitMotif → Free with PetitMotif → Noël en Miniature

Symbol chart

DMC threads

5 DMC six-strand floss colors, most used first
Symbol	DMC	Color name	Stitches
▲	DMC 817	Very Dark Coral Red	248
▬	DMC 3371	Black Brown	63
✕	DMC 816	Garnet	45
■	DMC 814	Dark Garnet	19
◇	DMC 972	Deep Canary	8

Stitch it, gift it, frame it. Please don't sell it, and share this page rather than the files. Merci!

What you'll need

Fabric: 14-count Aida, a piece about 20 × 20 cm (8 × 8 in). The 24 × 29 grid comes out about 4.4 cm (1.7 in) × 5.3 cm (2.1 in) on 14-count.
Floss: 5 skeins of DMC six-strand floss, one per color (the list above). Stitch with 2 strands.
Needle: a size 24 tapestry needle.
Hoop: 10 cm (4 in).

Finished size on other fabrics

Fabric	24 × 29 stitches
11-count Aida	5.5 cm (2.2 in) × 6.7 cm (2.6 in)
14-count Aida	4.4 cm (1.7 in) × 5.3 cm (2.1 in)
16-count Aida	3.8 cm (1.5 in) × 4.6 cm (1.8 in)
18-count Aida	3.4 cm (1.3 in) × 4.1 cm (1.6 in)
28-count linen over two	4.4 cm (1.7 in) × 5.3 cm (2.1 in)

How to stitch this

Start from the center, marked by the arrows on the chart.
Red (DMC 817) is most of the bird: 248 of the 383 stitches.
The wing is filled with DMC 816 and outlined in DMC 814, a shade darker. The mask and feet are DMC 3371.

Using another brand? Most shops have a DMC conversion chart.

We haven't stitched this one yet. If you do, send us a photo.