Cosmos Flower in DMC - PAT0864 - Downloadable PDF

DMC Cosmos Flower Cross Stitch Pattern (PAT0864) – Free Downloadable PDF

This free downloadable PDF pattern from the DMC Library guides embroiderers through creating a delicate Cosmos Flower design in full colour cross stitch. Measuring approximately 9.5 x 8 cm (3.74 x 3.14 inches), this charming botanical motif is an ideal project for intermediate embroiderers looking to refine their counted cross stitch skills while producing a beautiful, frameable piece of needlework.

About the Design

The Cosmos Flower (also known as Fleur Cosmos in French, reflecting the pattern's bilingual English and French presentation) is rendered in a realistic, colourful style. The finished design captures the soft, layered petals and fine detail characteristic of the cosmos bloom, making it a popular choice for botanical embroidery enthusiasts. The compact finished size makes it versatile — suitable for framing, mounting on greeting cards, decorating a hoop, or incorporating into a larger textile project.

Stitches and Techniques Used

This pattern combines two classic embroidery techniques to achieve both solid coverage and fine linear detail:

• Coloured Cross Stitch: The primary stitch used throughout the design. Each cross stitch is formed by working two diagonal stitches over a counted number of fabric threads, creating an X shape. Working from a counted chart, stitchers follow the colour-coded diagram to place each stitch precisely, building up the image square by square. This technique is the foundation of counted cross stitch embroidery and produces a neat, uniform texture across the design.
• Backstitch: Used to add fine outlines, detail lines, and definition to the design. Backstitch creates a continuous, smooth line and is typically worked after the cross stitch coverage is complete. In botanical designs like this Cosmos Flower, backstitch is essential for defining petal edges, stems, and other delicate features, giving the finished piece a crisp, polished appearance.

Materials Required

Embroidery Thread

The pattern is designed to be stitched using DMC Mouliné Spécial Étoile™ embroidery thread. This is DMC's premium stranded cotton thread range, known for its smooth twist, rich colour range, and consistent quality. The pattern references colour C600 specifically, which is part of the Étoile™ range — threads that incorporate a subtle sparkle or sheen alongside their vibrant colour, adding a gentle luminosity to the finished stitching. As with standard DMC Mouliné, the thread is stranded and can be separated to use fewer strands depending on the fabric count and desired coverage.

Fabric

The pattern calls for DMC Cross Stitch Fabric / Aida. Aida is a specialist evenweave fabric woven with an open, grid-like structure that makes it easy to count stitches and pass the needle through without splitting threads. The finished design size of 9.5 x 8 cm is based on a specific fabric count — the higher the count (number of stitches per inch), the smaller the individual stitches and the finer the finished design. The pattern notes that 14-count Aida is the most common and is recommended as a starting point, making this design accessible even to those relatively new to counted cross stitch.

Needles and Tools

• Cross Stitch Needle: A blunt-tipped tapestry needle is used for cross stitch on Aida fabric. The blunt point slides through the fabric holes without piercing the threads, ensuring clean, even stitches.
• Embroidery Hoop: Listed as optional but recommended. A hoop keeps the fabric taut during stitching, helping to maintain even tension and prevent the fabric from puckering or distorting as the design builds up.
• Scissors: A small, sharp pair of embroidery scissors is essential for trimming thread ends neatly.

Pattern Format and Skill Level

Supplied as a downloadable PDF, the pattern includes a coloured cross stitch chart alongside a backstitch diagram, presented in both English and French. The chart uses a colour-coded grid system where each square represents one cross stitch, allowing stitchers to work directly from the printed or on-screen chart. Rated as intermediate