Twelfth Doctor's Companions 2 - PDF Cross Stitch Pattern

Twelfth Doctor's Companions 2 – PDF Cross Stitch Pattern by HugSandwich

This downloadable PDF cross stitch pattern by independent designer HugSandwich is a charming embroidery project celebrating the companions of the Twelfth Doctor, inspired by the beloved British science fiction series. The pattern is part of a themed collection and features two companion portrait designs presented side by side within a single charted layout, making it a wonderful piece for fans of the show who enjoy needlework as a creative hobby.

What Is Being Made

Stitchers will create a framed or displayed embroidery piece depicting two of the Twelfth Doctor's companions rendered in classic cross stitch style. Each companion is shown within their own distinct framed section of the design, complete with decorative borders and detailed facial features. The finished piece measures 4.57 inches wide by 4.17 inches tall (64 stitches wide by 66 stitches tall), making it a compact and manageable project that works beautifully as wall art, a hoop display, or a greeting card insert.

Design Details and Layout

The chart is divided into two portrait panels placed side by side. Each panel features:

• A detailed facial portrait of a companion character, with stitched expressions and hair detail rendered through careful symbol placement
• A decorative inner border framing each portrait, giving the design a polished, finished appearance
• Distinct background fills and accent symbols that differentiate each character's coloring and surrounding design elements
• Additional decorative motifs and detail work in the lower sections of each panel, suggesting clothing or accessories unique to each companion

The two panels are separated by a central dividing column of stitches, creating a diptych-style composition that reads as a unified piece when completed.

Techniques Used

Cross stitch is the primary technique used throughout this pattern. Cross stitch is a counted embroidery method in which X-shaped stitches are formed by passing thread diagonally across the intersections of an evenweave or Aida fabric. Each symbol on the chart corresponds to a specific thread color, and stitchers work row by row or color by color to build up the image. This technique is well suited to pixel-style portrait work, as each stitch acts like a single colored square in a grid, allowing for recognizable character likenesses even at small scales.

The pattern is rated as beginner difficulty, meaning that no advanced embroidery techniques such as fractional stitches, specialty stitches, or complex shading methods are required. The design relies on full cross stitches to achieve its effect, making it accessible to those who are new to counted cross stitch as well as enjoyable for more experienced stitchers looking for a quick, satisfying project.

Stitches Used

• Full cross stitch – the sole stitch type indicated by the charted symbols throughout the design

Because the pattern is beginner-friendly and compact at 64 by 66 stitches, there is no indication of backstitch outlining or specialty stitches within the provided chart content, keeping the technique requirements simple and straightforward.

Materials

The pattern is designed for use on 14 count Aida fabric, which is the most widely available and beginner-friendly evenweave fabric for cross stitch. Aida is a stiff, open-weave cotton fabric with clearly defined holes that guide needle placement, making it ideal for counted work. At 14 count, there are 14 stitches per inch, producing a finished design size of approximately 4.57 by 4.17 inches.

• Fabric: 14 count Aida
• Thread: Embroidery floss in multiple colors as indicated by the chart symbols (specific thread colors and brand are to be referenced within the full PDF key)
• Needle: A blunt-tipped tapestry needle sized for 14 count Aida, typically a size 24 or 26 tapestry needle, is recommended for cross stitch on this fabric weight
• Hoop or frame: An embroidery hoop is recommended to keep fabric taut during stitching

Pattern Format and Usage

This is a downloadable PDF pattern available directly