Christmas Elf Cross Stitch
Add a little handmade Christmas cheer to your holiday decorating with this adorable Christmas Elf Cross Stitch Pattern! This cheerful elf features a traditional red and green outfit, a floppy green elf hat, striped stockings, and curly shoes.
This is a fun Christmas cross stitch project that works well for holiday decorating, gifting, or displaying in an embroidery hoop. The finished design is small enough to complete without taking weeks to stitch, making it a great project for the holiday season.
The finished stitched area measures approximately 4 3/4 inches wide by 6 1/2 inches tall when stitched on 14-count Aida cloth.
Don’t forget to sign up for our daily free cross stitch pattern. We send that out via email every Monday, Wednesday and Fridays at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Christmas Elf Cross Stitch
I love the traditional Christmas colors in this little elf. The bright red, cheerful green, gold belt buckle, and striped stockings make this design perfect for displaying throughout the Christmas season.
You can stitch the design and place it in a wooden embroidery hoop for a simple finished look, or mount it in a small frame if you prefer a more traditional presentation.
Because the design is relatively small, it’s also a nice project to work on while watching your favorite Christmas movies or listening to Christmas music.
Finished Size
14-count Aida: approximately 4 3/4″ x 6 1/2″
The stitch count is approximately 66 stitches wide x 91 stitches high.
Remember that the finished size refers to the stitched design, not the amount of fabric you should cut. When preparing your fabric for a hoop or frame, leave additional fabric around the design for finishing
Materials Needed
Here are the supplies you’ll need to make this Christmas elf cross stitch.
- 14-count white Aida cloth
- Embroidery floss in the colors shown on the chart
- Cross stitch needle
- Embroidery scissors
- Embroidery hoop
- Optional needle minder
- Optional fabric marker for finding the center
- Optional magnifying light if you prefer extra visibility
Suggested Thread Colors
The pattern uses traditional Christmas colors, including:
- Green
- Red
- Brown
- Peach/skin tone
- Black
- White
- Gold/yellow
Tip: If you already have a collection of embroidery floss, this is a great pattern for using up small amounts of leftover Christmas-colored floss.
Difference in Finished Size on Aida Cloth
One of the nice things about cross stitch is that you can stitch the same pattern on different fabric counts. The number of stitches doesn’t change, but the finished size does.
The fabric count tells you how many stitches fit across one inch. A higher-count Aida produces smaller stitches and therefore a smaller finished design.
For this approximately 66 x 91 stitch design, the finished size will be approximately:
| Aida Cloth | Finished Size |
|---|---|
| 11-count | 6″ x 8 1/4″ |
| 14-count | 4 3/4″ x 6 1/2″ |
| 16-count | 4 1/8″ x 5 3/4″ |
| 18-count | 3 2/3″ x 5″ |
How Much Aida Cloth Do I Need?
Don’t cut your fabric to exactly 4 3/4″ x 6 1/2″. You’ll need extra fabric around the stitched area so you can put the project in a hoop or mount it for framing.
For a comfortable amount of fabric, I’d recommend starting with a piece at least 9″ x 11″.
This gives you plenty of room to position the design and work with the fabric while stitching. Extra fabric can be trimmed away after the project is finished.
Christmas Elf Cross Stitch Chart
The free Christmas Elf cross stitch chart is available above.
The free chart gives you everything you need to stitch this adorable Christmas design.
Optional Printable PDF
If you prefer having a printable pattern or want additional versions of the chart, an optional PDF is also available.
The PDF includes:
- Color chart
- Black and white symbol chart
- Pattern Keeper PDF
- Stitch information
- Pattern details
The Pattern Keeper version is especially convenient if you like stitching from a tablet or using a digital cross stitch app.
Tips for Stitching the Christmas Elf
Find the Center First
Before beginning, find the center of both your fabric and the chart. Starting in the center makes it much easier to keep the design properly positioned.
Use a Hoop
A small embroidery hoop makes this design particularly easy to stitch. It also makes it simple to turn your finished project directly into holiday decor.
Keep Your Stitches Consistent
For the neatest finished piece, try to make all of your top stitches run in the same direction. This helps the light reflect evenly across the stitches.
Take Your Time With the Face
The elf’s face is one of the most important areas of the design. Pay close attention to the chart when stitching the eyes, hair, ears, and facial details.
Finishing Your Christmas Elf
Once you’ve completed the stitching, wash and press your project if needed, following the care recommendations for your fabric and floss.
There are several ways you can finish your elf:
Embroidery hoop: This is probably the easiest option and makes a cute piece of Christmas wall decor.
Frame: Mount the finished stitching in a small frame for a more polished look.
Christmas ornament: With a little creative finishing, the design could also be turned into a seasonal ornament.
Gift: A handmade cross stitch makes a thoughtful Christmas gift for someone who loves handmade decorations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is the finished Christmas elf cross stitch?
The finished design measures approximately 4 3/4″ x 6 1/2″ on 14-count Aida.
What count Aida should I use?
I recommend 14-count Aida if you want the finished piece to be approximately the size listed above. You can use another count, but the finished size will change.
Can I use a different color of Aida?
Absolutely! White Aida gives the traditional look shown in the sample, but cream, ivory, light tan, or another color that works with the design can also be used.
Can I use 16-count or 18-count Aida?
Yes. The pattern can be stitched on different fabric counts. The higher the count, the smaller the finished design will be. For example, on 18-count Aida, the design will be approximately 3 2/3″ x 5″.
How much fabric should I cut?
For the 14-count version, I recommend using at least a 9″ x 11″ piece of Aida. This gives you extra fabric around the design for hooping or finishing.
Is this Christmas elf cross stitch good for beginners?
Yes! The design is a manageable size and uses traditional Christmas colors. If you’re new to cross stitch, 14-count Aida is a good choice because the squares are relatively easy to see.
Is there a free pattern?
Yes! The free Christmas Elf chart is available above. There is also an optional PDF with additional versions.
What is included in the optional PDF?
The optional PDF includes the color chart, black and white chart, and Pattern Keeper version, making it easy to choose the format you prefer.
Can I stitch this in an embroidery hoop?
Absolutely! The finished design looks especially cute displayed in a wooden embroidery hoop. You can leave it in the hoop as part of your Christmas decor or use the finished stitching for another type of finishing.
