Lemon in DMC - PAT0120 - Downloadable PDF

DMC Lemon Cross Stitch Pattern (PAT0120) – Free Downloadable PDF

This charming Lemon cross stitch pattern from DMC is a free, downloadable PDF design featuring a detailed depiction of a halved lemon rendered in classic counted cross stitch. Presented as a bilingual chart (English and French), this beginner-friendly project is ideal for those new to embroidery or looking for a quick, satisfying stitch that delivers a bright, decorative result. The finished piece measures approximately 20.5 x 7 cm on 14-count Aida fabric, making it a compact yet impactful design suitable for framing, hoop art, or incorporation into a larger botanical collection.

What Is Being Made

The design depicts a halved fruit – lemon (also referred to as Citron in the French portion of the pattern). The cross stitch chart captures the fresh, zesty character of the lemon with carefully selected thread colours that convey the bright yellow flesh, white pith, and warm golden rind. The image is presented as a colour guide both with and without backstitch, allowing stitchers to clearly understand how the outlining and detail work transforms the finished piece.

Techniques Used

• Cross Stitch (Point de Croix): The primary technique used throughout the design. Cross stitch involves forming small X-shaped stitches over the intersections of an evenweave or Aida fabric. Each stitch fills a single square of the grid, building up the image block by block. For this pattern, 2 strands of thread are used for all cross stitch elements.
• Backstitch (Point Arrière): Used as an outlining and detailing technique to define the edges of the lemon and add crispness to the finished design. Backstitch creates a continuous, smooth line and is worked with 1 strand of thread, giving finer, more precise detail than the cross stitch fill. The backstitch colour in this pattern is DMC 3820, which is also used in the cross stitch portion of the design.

Stitches Used

• Cross Stitch – worked with 2 strands of DMC Mouliné Spécial ART 117
• Backstitch – worked with 1 strand of DMC Mouliné Spécial ART 117 in colour 3820

Materials Required

Thread

All threads specified in this pattern are DMC Mouliné Spécial ART 117, the brand's iconic 6-strand divisible embroidery floss. The following colours are required, each at 1 skein:

• DMC 166 – used in cross stitch
• DMC 3865 – used in cross stitch
• DMC 677 – used in cross stitch
• DMC 307 – used in cross stitch
• DMC 3820 – used in both cross stitch and backstitch
• DMC 433 – used in cross stitch

The palette draws on warm yellows, soft whites, and golden-brown tones to authentically recreate the appearance of a freshly cut lemon.

Fabric

The pattern is designed for Aida fabric at either 14-count (5.5 pts/cm) or 16-count (6 pts/cm). Aida is the most popular fabric choice for counted cross stitch, featuring a woven grid of evenly spaced holes that makes it easy for beginners to place stitches accurately. The stated finished dimensions of approximately 20.5 x 7 cm are based on 14-count Aida.

Needle

A tapestry needle, size 24 is recommended. Tapestry needles have a blunt tip and a large eye, making them well suited to counted cross stitch on Aida fabric as they pass through the holes without splitting the fabric threads.

Pattern Format and Difficulty