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DLTK's Holiday Crafts for Kids
Christmas Themed 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.


Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.

Materials:

bulletprinter
bulletpaper
  
bulletembroidery 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
  
bulletfeel free to substitute colors!
bulletIf your child wants blue ornaments on the tree don't get stuck... just substitute blue floss for the red.
bulletIf you have left over floss lying around you can use that too (ex:  brown for "Merry Christmas" instead of red)
  

bulletAida 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
bulletplastic canvas
  
bulletembroidery hoop (a must! unless you're using plastic canvas)
  
bulletneedle (20 or 22 work well, but any that fit 3 strands of floss will do)

 

Dimensions:

bulletChristmas tree pattern (first template)
bullet6 count aida:    5.2 x 7.0 inches
bullet8 count aida:    3.9 x 5.25 inches
bullet11 count aida:  2.8 x 3.8 inches
  
bulletHolly pattern (second template)
bullet6 count aida:    6.7 x 5.0 inches
bullet8 count aida:    5.0 x 3.8 inches
bullet11 count aida:  3.6 x 2.7 inches
  
bulletStar pattern (third template)
bullet6 count aida:    9.5 x 7.5 inches
bullet8 count aida:    7.1 x 5.6 inches
bullet11 count aida:  5.2 x 4.1 inches

Instructions:

bulletPrint out the template of choice (we have two different templates to choose from)
  
bulletfold cloth in half and then in half again to find the center.
  
bulletplace hoop around cloth.  Start as close to center as you can
  
bulletcut about 18 inch pieces of floss and divide in half (so you have 3 strands of floss to work with)
  
bulletStart cross stitching!  To learn more about cross stitching, check out our "How to Cross Stitch" directions.
  
  
  
bulletClose the template window after printing to return to this screen.
 
bulletSet 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