Enchanting Christmas - Christmas Picture in Anchor - Downloadable PDF

Enchanting Christmas Embroidery Picture – Anchor Cross Stitch Pattern (Free Downloadable PDF)

This free downloadable PDF pattern from Anchor, designed by Anchor Studio, guides you through creating a beautiful Christmas-themed embroidery picture measuring 18 x 19 cm once completed. Catalogued as Design No. 0060003-00709-09, this festive project is rated Easy to Intermediate and is ideal for embroiderers who are comfortable following a charted design and working with multiple thread colours. The finished piece is intended to be mounted and framed, making it a charming seasonal decoration or a heartfelt handmade gift.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a framed cross stitch picture with a Christmas motif, worked centrally onto white linen fabric. Once embroidered, pressed, and mounted, it is displayed in a picture frame, creating a decorative piece perfectly suited to festive home interiors. The design incorporates both cross stitch and backstitch elements, giving the image both solid filled areas and defined outlines or fine details.

Techniques Used

• Cross Stitch: The primary technique used throughout the design. Each square on the chart represents one cross stitch, worked over 2 fabric threads each way. As noted in the pattern tip, cross stitch should always be completed before any backstitch or straight stitch is added.
• Backstitch: Used after the cross stitch is complete to add fine lines, outlines, and detail to the design, giving the motif crisp definition and depth.
• Straight Stitch: Also referenced as a finishing technique applied after the cross stitch, used for additional linear detailing where needed.
• Fabric Preparation: Raw edges of the fabric are neatened with zigzag stitch before embroidery begins, preventing fraying during the stitching process.
• Pressing and Framing: The completed embroidery is gently pressed from the wrong side, then stretched centrally over the backing card of a picture frame and secured with masking tape. An optional layer of wadding can be added beneath the fabric for a padded, professional finish.

Stitches Used

• Cross stitch – worked over 2 fabric threads each way, using 2 strands of Anchor Stranded Cotton
• Backstitch – worked over 2 fabric threads each way for outlines and fine detail
• Straight stitch – used for additional linear accents within the design

Materials – Threads and Needles

Threads

The pattern calls for Anchor Stranded Cotton (8m skeins), worked with 2 strands throughout. The following colours are each required in a quantity of 1 skein:

• #1 (White)
• #44
• #47
• #49
• #230
• #239
• #358
• #361
• #381
• #397
• #1011
• #1045

In addition, 1 reel of Anchor Metallic #300 is required, adding a sparkling, festive shimmer to the finished design — a particularly effective touch for a Christmas-themed piece.

All Anchor threads are produced in accordance with Oeko-tex standards, with tested pH values and colours adhering to Global fastness standards. The pattern advises washing threads at the hottest temperature possible (in line with fabric specifications) using a large amount of water to minimise any potential bleeding of excess dye, particularly from darker shades.

Fabric

The design is worked on approximately 40 x 40 cm of 28-count white linen fabric. The generous fabric size allows for comfortable handling and adequate margins for framing. The 28-count evenweave ensures