Winter Cardinal Cross Stitch Pattern (Free PDF)
A bright red cardinal with its crest, black mask and orange beak, perched on a winter branch with holly leaves and red berries. Cardinals are a favorite winter bird in the US and a classic of holiday cross stitch.
Size46 × 40
Colors9
Stitches644
LevelIntermediate
About this pattern
The design is 46 stitches wide and 40 stitches high, with 644 full cross stitches in 9 DMC colors: Red (321), Garnet Medium (815), Black (310), Tangerine (740), Brown Medium (433), Coffee Brown Dark (801), Green (699), Forest Green Very Dark (986), White (Blanc). It is rated intermediate.
Finished size
| Fabric | Finished size | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| 11-count | 4.2 × 3.6 in | 10.6 × 9.2 cm |
| 14-count | 3.3 × 2.9 in | 8.3 × 7.3 cm |
| 16-count | 2.9 × 2.5 in | 7.3 × 6.3 cm |
| 18-count | 2.6 × 2.2 in | 6.5 × 5.6 cm |
Ideas for using it
- Winter hoop
- Christmas card
- Memorial gift (cardinals are often seen as a sign of a loved one)
Stitching tips
- Stitch the black mask and the beak first; they set the bird's expression.
- The darker red wing gives the body its shape, so keep the two reds apart.
- Add a few white stitches on the branch for snow.
This pattern is free for personal use. You may sell a few finished pieces you stitched yourself; please do not share or sell the chart file. See the terms.
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