DMC Scottish Terrier - PAT1504S - Downloadable PDF

DMC Scottish Terrier Cross Stitch Pattern (PAT1504S) – Free Downloadable PDF

This free downloadable PDF pattern from the DMC Library guides embroidery enthusiasts through creating a charming Scottish Terrier portrait in coloured cross stitch with backstitch. Rated as an intermediate level project, it is a wonderful choice for stitchers who are comfortable with basic cross stitch and are ready to add detail and dimension through additional techniques. The pattern is presented bilingually in both English and French, reflecting DMC's international reach.

What Is Being Made

The finished piece is a decorative cross stitch portrait of a Scottish Terrier, capturing the breed's distinctive silhouette, wiry coat texture, and characterful expression. The design uses a carefully selected palette of DMC stranded cotton thread colours to render realistic shading and depth across the dog's fur, face, and body. This type of pet portrait design is perennially popular in the cross stitch world, making it a meaningful project for dog lovers and needlework enthusiasts alike.

Techniques Used

• Coloured Cross Stitch: The primary technique used throughout the design. Each cross stitch is formed by two diagonal stitches crossing at the centre, worked over a grid to build up the image square by square. The coloured chart clearly maps which DMC thread colour belongs in each position.
• Backstitch: Used as an outlining and detail technique to define the edges of the Scottish Terrier's form, add fine lines, and enhance the overall crispness of the finished piece. Backstitch is worked in a continuous line, with the needle returning to the end of the previous stitch to create a solid, unbroken line — ideal for capturing the fine facial features and fur texture of the Scottie.

Stitches Used

• Cross Stitch – the foundational stitch of the entire design, worked from a colour-coded chart
• Backstitch – applied for outlines and fine detail work as indicated on the backstitch diagram included in the PDF

Colours and Materials

The pattern specifies the following DMC stranded cotton thread colours, which together create the realistic tonal range of the Scottish Terrier's coat and features:

• DMC 310 – Black, used for deep shadow and strong contrast areas
• DMC 336 – Navy Blue, adding depth to darker tonal areas
• DMC 349 – Dark Coral, providing warm accent tones
• DMC 414 – Dark Steel Grey, a key mid-tone for the Scottie's characteristic grey coat
• DMC 415 – Pearl Grey, used extensively for lighter fur areas and highlights
• DMC 762 – Very Light Pearl Grey, for the palest highlights and soft transitions
• DMC 816 – Garnet, contributing rich warm tones
• DMC B5200 – Snow White, for the brightest highlights and crisp light areas

As with all cross stitch projects, this design is typically worked on evenweave or Aida fabric, with the stitch count and fabric count determining the final size of the piece. DMC stranded cotton embroidery floss is the recommended thread, and a blunt-tipped tapestry needle appropriate to the chosen fabric count is used throughout. The PDF includes a getting started section covering the essential tool kit needed to complete the project.

Pattern Format and Accessibility

The PAT1504S pattern is available as a free downloadable PDF from DMC, part of the extensive DMC Library collection. The PDF spans multiple pages and includes both a coloured cross stitch chart and a dedicated backstitch diagram, ensuring that stitchers at the intermediate level have clear visual guidance for every stage of the project. The bilingual presentation in English and French makes it accessible to a wide international audience.