Rainbow Cone in DMC - PAT0792 - Downloadable PDF

Rainbow Cone Cross Stitch Pattern – DMC PAT0792 (Free Downloadable PDF)

The Rainbow Cone (also known as Cône Arc-en-Ciel in French) is a charming and colourful cross stitch embroidery design published by DMC as part of the DMC Library collection. This free downloadable PDF pattern is a wonderful project for intermediate embroiderers looking to practise precise colour placement and clean finishing techniques. The finished piece depicts a cheerful ice cream cone rendered in a full spectrum of rainbow colours, making it a playful and eye-catching decorative embroidery suitable for framing, hoop art, or personalised gifts.

What Is Being Made

The project produces a coloured cross stitch embroidery of a rainbow-themed ice cream cone. The design uses multiple thread colours to create the signature rainbow gradient effect across the scoops of the cone, resulting in a vibrant and detailed finished piece. The pattern is presented as a coloured cross stitch chart with backstitch, meaning the design includes both filled colour areas and fine outline or detail work.

Techniques Used

• Cross Stitch: The primary technique used throughout the design. Cross stitch involves forming small X-shaped stitches on an even-weave fabric by working two diagonal stitches across each other. The coloured chart guides the embroiderer in placing each stitch in the correct colour to build up the image.
• Backstitch: Used in addition to the cross stitch fill to add fine outlines, definition, and detail to the design. Backstitch creates a continuous line of stitches worked backwards along the stitching path, giving crisp edges and enhancing the overall appearance of the finished piece.
• Colour Blending and Placement: Working with multiple DMC Mouliné Spécial thread colours requires careful attention to the chart to achieve the rainbow gradient effect accurately across the cone design.

Stitches Used

• Cross Stitch – the foundational stitch forming the body of the design
• Backstitch – used for outlines and fine detail work over or around the cross stitched areas

Materials Required

Thread

The pattern calls for DMC Mouliné Spécial Embroidery Thread (117MC), the brand's iconic six-strand divisible cotton embroidery floss. Multiple colours are required to achieve the full rainbow effect of the design. DMC Mouliné Spécial is widely regarded for its colourfast properties, smooth finish, and extensive colour range, making it ideal for detailed cross stitch work.

Fabric

The recommended fabric is Aida cross stitch fabric, a stiff, even-weave cotton cloth with a clearly defined grid of holes that makes counting and placing stitches straightforward. Aida is the most commonly used fabric for counted cross stitch and is particularly well-suited to intermediate projects like this one, where accurate colour placement across a multi-coloured design is essential.

Additional Tools

Standard embroidery tools such as a tapestry needle (blunt-tipped to pass through the Aida holes without splitting the fabric), an embroidery hoop or frame to keep the fabric taut, and small scissors for trimming threads are recommended for completing this project neatly.

Pattern Format and Availability

The Rainbow Cone pattern is available as a free downloadable PDF directly from DMC via the DMC Library at www.dmc.com. The PDF includes the full coloured cross stitch chart alongside the backstitch diagram, presented in both English and French. The pattern is published under © DMC 2018, with all rights reserved worldwide. Embroiderers are encouraged to share their finished creations using the hashtag #dmcthreads across DMC's social media communities on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube.