Free cross stitch pattern ·
Free Halloween Cross Stitch Pattern: Jack-o'-Lantern Chart
| Finished size | 2.1 x 2.0 in (5.4 x 5.1 cm) design |
|---|---|
| Fabric | 14-count white Aida |
| Threads | DMC 740, 946, 310, 469 (one skein each) |
| Stitches | 474 full cross stitches, 2 strands |
| Level | Beginner |
| Time | about 4-6 hours |
| Price | Free |
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What you need
- 14-count white Aida, 8 x 8 in
- DMC floss: 740 Tangerine, 946 Medium Burnt Orange, 310 Black, 469 Avocado Green (one skein each)
- Size 24 tapestry needle, a 5 in embroidery hoop, scissors
- Felt or card for the back of the hoop
How it's made, in short
- Find the centre. Fold the Aida in half both ways; the creases cross at the centre marked on the chart.
- Stitch the face. Stitch the black eyes, nose and grin first, in the middle of the pumpkin.
- Outline and ribs. Stitch the burnt orange outline and the two curved ribs.
- Fill and stem. Fill the rest of the pumpkin with tangerine, then stitch the green stem and curl.
- Finish. Centre it in a 5 in hoop, gather the fabric at the back and cover it with felt.
Free guides: How to cross stitch · Cross stitch pattern maker · How to do a French knot in embroidery
Tips
- Stitch the face first; it is the easiest part to count from.
- Keep all your top stitches slanting the same way.
- Do not carry black thread behind the orange; it shows through white Aida.
The free pattern
One square on the chart is one cross stitch over one square of Aida.
Size: design 30 x 28 stitches = 2.1 x 2.0 in (5.4 x 5.1 cm) on 14-count Aida
Fabric: 14-count white Aida, cut 8.1 x 8.0 in (a 3 in margin all round, room for a 5 in hoop)
Threads: DMC 6-strand embroidery floss, one skein each: 740 Tangerine, 946 Medium Burnt Orange, 310 Black, 469 Avocado Green
Notions: size 24 tapestry needle, a 5 in embroidery hoop, scissors; felt or card for the back of the hoop
Strands: 2 strands for every cross stitch, over 1 square of Aida
Stitch counts: DMC 740 Tangerine: 294 stitches, DMC 946 Medium Burnt Orange: 100 stitches, DMC 310 Black: 59 stitches, DMC 469 Avocado Green: 21 stitches
Instructions
- Fold the Aida in half both ways and crease it lightly; the folds cross at the centre, which is marked with arrows on the chart. Put the fabric in the hoop.
- Stitch the black face first (the two triangle eyes, the nose and the grin), so it sits right in the middle of the pumpkin.
- Stitch the burnt orange outline and the two curved ribs, counting out from the face.
- Fill every remaining square inside the outline with tangerine.
- Stitch the green stem (3 squares wide, 5 rows tall) and the curl to its right.
- Make every cross with the top stitch in the same direction, so the pumpkin looks even.
- To start a thread, leave a 1 in tail on the back and catch it under your first few stitches; to finish, run the needle under 4-5 stitches on the back and trim.
Finishing
- Centre the design in the 5 in hoop and tighten it so the Aida is drum-tight.
- Trim the Aida to about 1 in outside the hoop, run a gathering stitch around it and pull it tight at the back.
- Glue or stitch a circle of felt or card over the back. Hang the hoop by its screw.
How we checked it: xstitchlib: legend, DMC codes, symbols, size, setup and confetti pass (474 stitches, 0 isolated). We work hard to get every number right, but mistakes can still happen; tell us at hello@craftuary.com if anything is off.
Want it on paper?
The printable PDF (US Letter and A4) is free with a Craftuary account.
Get the printable PDF freeQuestions
What size is this pumpkin cross stitch?
30 x 28 stitches: 2.1 x 2.0 inches on 14-count Aida, which fits a 5 inch hoop. On 18-count it would be about 1.7 x 1.6 inches.
How many strands do I use?
Two strands of DMC floss for every cross stitch on 14-count Aida.
How much floss do I need?
One skein each of DMC 740, 946, 310 and 469 is plenty; the counts are DMC 740 Tangerine: 294 stitches, DMC 946 Medium Burnt Orange: 100 stitches, DMC 310 Black: 59 stitches, DMC 469 Avocado Green: 21 stitches.
Is this Halloween cross stitch good for beginners?
Yes. It uses only full cross stitches in four colours, no backstitch or fractional stitches, and the face gives you an easy place to start counting.
The pictures are drawn from the pattern's own measurements and stitches; your finished piece will vary a little with your materials.
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