Sisters - PDF Cross Stitch Pattern

Sisters (Elsa and Anna) PDF Cross Stitch Pattern by HugSandwich

This downloadable PDF cross stitch pattern by independent designer HugSandwich features Sisters — a charming portrait of Elsa and Anna, the beloved characters from the popular animated film. Designed with beginners in mind, this pattern is a wonderful introduction to counted cross stitch, offering a compact yet expressive design that captures both characters side by side in a single composition.

What Is Being Made

The finished piece depicts Elsa and Anna as a duo portrait, stitched onto fabric as a standalone embroidery design. At a finished size of 2.07 inches wide by 3.43 inches tall (29 x 48 stitches), this is an ideal small-format project suitable for framing, greeting cards, ornaments, bookmarks, or any number of handmade gift applications. Its compact stitch count makes it approachable for newer stitchers while still delivering a recognizable and detailed character rendering.

Techniques Used

• Counted cross stitch — the primary technique, worked by following a charted grid where each symbol corresponds to a specific thread color placed over a counted number of fabric threads
• Backstitch — used for outlining and fine detail work, adding definition to the characters' features and edges; worked in DMC-310 (black) as indicated in the pattern legend

Cross stitch is a form of counted embroidery in which X-shaped stitches are formed on an evenweave or Aida fabric. Each stitch covers one square of the fabric grid, and the pattern chart acts as a map, with symbols representing individual thread colors. Backstitch is typically worked after the cross stitches are complete and uses a running stitch technique to create smooth, continuous lines that sharpen outlines and add expressive detail.

Stitches Used

• Cross stitch — the foundational stitch forming the body of the design across all color areas
• Backstitch — applied in DMC-310 for outlining and detailing

Thread Colors

The pattern uses a palette of 18 DMC stranded cotton thread colors, providing a rich range of tones to render skin, hair, clothing, and background elements for both characters. The full color legend includes:

• DMC-301 — medium brown
• DMC-310 — black (also used for backstitch outlining)
• DMC-321 — red
• DMC-413 — dark pewter grey
• DMC-498 — dark red
• DMC-754 — light peach
• DMC-792 — dark cornflower blue
• DMC-793 — medium cornflower blue
• DMC-915 — dark plum
• DMC-917 — medium plum
• DMC-948 — very light peach
• DMC-3809 — very dark turquoise
• DMC-3810 — dark turquoise
• DMC-3811 — very light turquoise (used in two symbol variants)
• DMC-3829 — very dark old gold
• DMC-3830 — terra cotta
• DMC-3865 — winter white

The cool blues and teals reflect Elsa's iconic ice-themed palette, while warmer reds, peaches, and browns evoke Anna's signature look. The combination of light skin tones and rich jewel-toned clothing colors gives the finished piece a vibrant, character-faithful appearance.

Materials Required

• Fabric: 14-count Aida cloth — the recommended fabric, featuring an evenly spaced grid of 14 holes per inch, ideal for beginners due to its clearly defined stitching squares
• Thread: