Mulan and Li Shang In Love - PDF Cross Stitch Pattern

Mulan and Li Shang In Love – PDF Cross Stitch Pattern by HugSandwich

This downloadable PDF cross stitch pattern by independent designer HugSandwich features the beloved characters Mulan and Li Shang depicted together in a romantic pose. The finished design measures 1.86 inches wide by 3.36 inches tall (26 x 47 stitches), making it a charming small-format piece that is ideal for framing, greeting cards, ornaments, or embellishing accessories. The pattern is rated as beginner level, making it a wonderful entry point for those new to counted cross stitch while still offering a satisfying and detailed result for more experienced stitchers.

What Is Being Made

The finished piece is a counted cross stitch embroidery portrait of Mulan and Li Shang together, capturing the warmth and romance between the two iconic characters. At just 26 stitches wide and 47 stitches tall, the design is compact yet expressive, with enough color variation to convey character detail, clothing, and skin tones. Its small size makes it quick to complete and highly versatile for a wide range of finished projects.

Techniques Used

• Counted cross stitch – the primary technique, where each symbol on the chart corresponds to a specific colored stitch placed over a counted number of fabric threads
• Pattern reading – stitchers follow a two-page symbol grid, with each unique symbol representing a specific DMC thread color as listed in the legend
• Color blending and placement – the design uses fourteen distinct thread colors, requiring careful attention to symbol identification and color transitions to achieve the full portrait effect

Stitches Used

• Cross stitch (full cross) – the foundational stitch of the pattern, formed by two diagonal stitches crossing at the center of each fabric square, creating the pixelated portrait effect
• The compact stitch count and beginner difficulty level suggest the pattern relies primarily on full cross stitches without complex fractional stitches, making it approachable for newer embroiderers

Materials Required

• Fabric: 14 Count Aida – the pattern is specifically designed and sized for 14 count Aida cloth, a widely available evenweave fabric with a clear grid structure that makes counting stitches straightforward for beginners
• Thread: The pattern uses DMC embroidery floss in the following fourteen colors:
  • DMC-221 – deep dusty rose
  • DMC-310 – black
  • DMC-321 – red
  • DMC-704 – bright chartreuse green
  • DMC-727 – very light topaz yellow
  • DMC-797 – royal blue
  • DMC-945 – tawny peach
  • DMC-951 – light tawny
  • DMC-3022 – medium brown grey
  • DMC-3032 – medium mocha brown
  • DMC-3033 – very light mocha brown
  • DMC-3778 – light terra cotta
  • DMC-3830 – terra cotta
  • DMC-3850 – bright forest green
• Needle: A standard tapestry needle sized for 14 count Aida (typically size 24 or 26) is recommended for cross stitch on this fabric weight
• Tools: An embroidery hoop or frame is recommended to keep the Aida fabric taut and even while stitching

About the Pattern Format

The PDF pattern spans two pages and includes a clearly labeled symbol grid divided into numbered columns and rows for easy navigation. A full color legend maps each symbol directly to its corresponding