DMC Beagle - PAT1495S - Downloadable PDF

DMC Beagle Cross Stitch Pattern (PAT1495S) – Free Downloadable PDF

This free downloadable PDF pattern from DMC features an adorable Beagle dog design worked in coloured cross stitch with backstitch detailing. Released as part of the DMC Library collection, this intermediate-level embroidery chart is ideal for stitchers who are comfortable with basic cross stitch and are ready to add definition and depth through backstitch outlining. The finished piece captures the classic markings and expressive character of the Beagle breed, making it a charming project for dog lovers and needlework enthusiasts alike.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a detailed portrait-style Beagle motif worked on cross stitch fabric. The design uses a carefully chosen palette of DMC Mouliné Spécial thread colours to recreate the Beagle's characteristic tricolour coat — warm browns, rich dark tones, and neutral shades — resulting in a realistic and visually appealing finished piece suitable for framing, mounting, or incorporating into a larger needlework project.

Techniques Used

• Cross Stitch: The primary technique used throughout the design. Each cross stitch is formed by two diagonal stitches crossing at the centre of a fabric square, building up the image block by block from the coloured chart provided.
• Backstitch: Used to add fine outlines, definition, and detail to the Beagle's features — such as facial contours, fur texture, and other fine lines — that cross stitch alone cannot achieve. Backstitch is worked after the cross stitch is complete, following the separate backstitch diagramme included in the PDF.

Stitches Used

• Cross stitch – the foundational stitch for filling in the coloured areas of the design
• Backstitch – worked as an outline and detail stitch over the completed cross stitch areas

Thread Colours

The pattern calls for the following DMC Mouliné Spécial thread shades, as listed in the chart key:

• DMC 3031 – a very dark mocha brown, used for deep shadow areas and rich dark markings
• DMC 801 – a dark coffee brown, adding warmth and mid-tone depth
• DMC 435 – a light brown, contributing to the warmer, lighter areas of the coat
• DMC 3863 – a medium mocha beige, used extensively throughout the design for natural fur tones
• DMC 06 – providing additional tonal variation within the palette

Together, these shades create a naturalistic, blended appearance that gives the Beagle portrait its lifelike quality. The DMC Mouliné Spécial range is a 6-strand divisible cotton embroidery floss, allowing stitchers to adjust the number of strands used depending on the fabric count and desired coverage.

Materials Required

• DMC Mouliné Spécial embroidery thread in the shades listed above (117MC range)
• DMC cross stitch fabric – an evenweave or Aida fabric suitable for counted cross stitch
• A tapestry needle appropriate for the chosen fabric count
• An embroidery hoop or frame to keep the fabric taut while stitching
• Small scissors for trimming thread ends

Pattern Format and Difficulty

The PAT1495S PDF includes a coloured cross stitch chart alongside a separate backstitch diagramme, making it straightforward to follow both stages of the stitching process. The pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, meaning it is best suited to stitchers who are already familiar with reading a cross stitch chart and working basic stitches, but who may not yet have extensive experience with complex shading or multi-colour projects. The combination of several closely related brown and beige tones requires some attention to thread organisation to ensure the correct shades are used in the right areas.