Anchor Adventskalender - 0060003-00709-03 - Downloadable PDF

Anchor Adventskalender Embroidery Pattern – Downloadable PDF by Siegrun Bob-Kulbe

This free downloadable PDF embroidery pattern from Anchor, designed by Siegrun Bob-Kulbe and released by MEZ GmbH, presents a charming Advent calendar (Adventskalender) to stitch at home. Rated as a beginner-friendly project, it is an ideal introduction to counted cross stitch embroidery, combining a festive seasonal design with straightforward techniques that newcomers to the craft can confidently follow.

What Is Being Made

The finished piece is a decorative Advent calendar measuring 35 × 62 cm (excluding hanging allowance), with a central motif area of 21.5 × 31 cm. Designed to be displayed during the Christmas season, the calendar is worked on linen evenweave fabric and incorporates numbered sections typical of traditional Advent calendar designs. It is intended to be hung as a textile wall decoration.

Fabric and Materials

• Fabric: Approximately 41 × 76 cm of light green linen evenweave fabric with a count of 112 threads per 10 cm is required.
• Threads: Anchor Stranded Cotton (8 m skeins), used with 2 strands throughout. The required colours are: #1, #44, #47, #49, #230, #239, #358, #361, #381, #397, #1011, and #1045 — one skein of each.
• Metallic Thread: One skein of Anchor Metallic #300 Medium adds a subtle shimmer to the design, lending a festive sparkle to the finished calendar.
• Needle: A size 24 tapestry needle (blunt-tipped, no point) is specified. Using a blunt needle is essential for counted cross stitch, as it passes cleanly between the fabric threads without splitting them.

Techniques Used

The pattern employs two core embroidery techniques worked over 2 fabric threads in both height and width:

• Cross Stitch (Kreuzstich): The primary technique, where each square on the counted chart corresponds to one cross stitch. Cross stitches should always be completed first before any other stitches are added. In counted cross stitch, two diagonal stitches are crossed over one another to form an X shape, creating a neat, pixelated effect when worked across a grid of evenweave fabric.
• Backstitch / Running Stitch (Steppstich / Spannstich): These outline and detail stitches are worked after all cross stitches are complete. They are used to define edges, add fine lines, and bring crispness and definition to the motif — a standard finishing technique in cross stitch embroidery.

Stitching Tips and Care

• All Anchor Stranded Cotton threads used in this pattern are Oeko-Tex Standard certified, meeting recognised standards for pH values and colourfastness.
• Always use a blunt tapestry needle to avoid splitting the linen threads.
• Work all cross stitches first, then add backstitches and running stitches as finishing details.
• The Anchor Sticktwist (stranded cotton) is worked using 2 strands throughout the project.

Pattern Format and Accessibility

This pattern is available as a free downloadable PDF under design number 0060003-00709-03, published by MEZ GmbH in 2018. The counted chart format makes it straightforward to follow, with each grid square representing a single cross stitch. The beginner difficulty rating, combined with the clear stitch-order guidance, makes this an accessible and rewarding seasonal project for those new to counted cross stitch embroidery as well as for more experienced stitchers looking for a festive make.