Irises Cross Stitch PDF Pattern

Irises Cross Stitch PDF Pattern by AKxStitch

This Irises Cross Stitch PDF Pattern by independent designer AKxStitch is a beautifully detailed embroidery design featuring a classic iris floral motif rendered entirely in counted cross stitch. The finished piece measures 6 x 6 inches (15 x 15 cm) and is stitched over an 80 x 80 stitch grid, making it a satisfying square composition ideal for framing, hoop display, or incorporating into home décor projects. The pattern is delivered as a downloadable PDF, allowing crafters to access and print it immediately after purchase.

What Is Being Made

The design depicts irises, one of the most beloved subjects in botanical embroidery, rendered with rich color depth and realistic shading. The square format lends itself well to framing as a standalone artwork or as part of a series of floral cross stitch pieces. The finished size of 6 x 6 inches makes it versatile enough for small frames, embroidery hoops, cushion fronts, or greeting card inserts.

Difficulty Level and Stitch Time

Although the product listing notes an intermediate difficulty level, the pattern itself is rated by AKxStitch as Easy / Beginner, making it an excellent choice for those who have mastered the basic cross stitch and are looking to build confidence with a more colorful, multi-shade project. The estimated stitch time is approximately 35 to 50 hours, which reflects the detail involved in working with 30 thread colors across a moderately sized canvas.

Techniques Used

The primary technique throughout this pattern is the full cross stitch, worked using 2 strands of thread for solid coverage on the fabric. The pattern also incorporates backstitch, which is referenced in the PDF and is typically used in cross stitch to add fine outlines, define petal edges, add stems, and bring crisp detail to floral designs. Together, these two techniques — full cross stitch and backstitch — are the foundation of counted cross stitch embroidery and are well within reach of anyone who has completed a beginner project.

A notable feature of this design is its use of thread blending. The pattern includes 5 blended color combinations, where two different DMC thread colors are combined in the needle simultaneously — one strand of each color — to create subtle transitional hues that cannot be achieved with a single thread alone. The blended colors used in this pattern include combinations such as DMC 26 + 794, 471 + 926, 794 + 3807, 819 + 3047, and 819 + 5200. This blending technique adds painterly depth and naturalistic shading to the iris petals and foliage, giving the finished piece a more sophisticated and lifelike appearance than a purely single-color design.

Stitches Used

• Full Cross Stitch — worked with 2 strands of DMC thread; forms the main body of the design
• Backstitch — used for outlining and fine detail work, typically worked with 1 strand for precision
• Blended Cross Stitch — 5 specific color blends using 1 strand of each of two DMC colors threaded together in the needle

Materials — Threads

The pattern uses DMC stranded cotton embroidery floss in a total of 30 shades, with 5 of those shades used in blended combinations. Each color requires just 1 skein, making the shopping list straightforward and budget-friendly. The full palette includes a rich range of purples, violets, and blues for the iris blooms — including DMC 209, 210, 211, 333, 340, 341, 791, 794, 3807, and 3807 — alongside greens for the foliage such as DMC 369, 471, 472, 524, 3363, and neutrals and whites including DMC 453, 819, 3047, 3072, B5200. Soft pinks and blues like DMC 761, 775, 819, 3325, 3756 contribute to delicate shading, while DMC 310 (black) and