Christmas tree cross stitch pattern

About this design

The tree is three stacked tiers, each wider than the one above, with notched edges where one tier stops and the next begins. The greens are kelly green (702) on the left and the deeper 700 down the right-hand side, so the tree reads as a cone rather than a flat triangle. Three gold garlands (725) sweep across it, and red, royal blue and white baubles are scattered on top. A canary yellow star outlined in topaz sits at the tip, and the trunk stands in a small red pot.

How to work it

The silhouette is symmetrical, so begin at the centre column and stitch the dark 890 outline of the top tier, then the second and third. Once the outline is in, fill the light green, leaving gaps for garlands and baubles, then add the darker green along the right edges. Stitch the garlands next, one row at a time. The baubles are single stitches, so you can move them around or change their colours to match your own decorations. Finish with the star, trunk and pot.

Finishing ideas

At 27 × 36 stitches the tree measures about 1.9 × 2.6 inches on 14-count and 1.5 × 2 inches on 18-count. It fits a 3-inch hoop or flexi-hoop for a hanging ornament, or a standard card with a 2 × 3 inch aperture. Add a few French knots or metallic thread over the baubles if you want some sparkle.

Colour plan

DMC 702 Kelly Green does the most work, 44% of the 446 stitches, followed by DMC 890 Pistachio Grn Ult V D at 25%. DMC 797 Royal Blue (6), DMC 433 Brown Med (4), DMC BLANC White (3) and DMC 801 Coffee Brown Dk (1) are used only a little: small details worth marking on the chart so you don't miss them. 54% of the grid is left empty.

Working notes

65 squares stand alone in their colour, with no same-coloured neighbour along a side; stitch those as you pass rather than starting a new thread for each. The busiest row changes colour 11 times.