Toadstool cross stitch pattern

About this design

This little toadstool is our go-to “first chart” for people new to counted cross stitch. Every colour sits in a solid block, so you will spend your time learning to count and to keep your stitches neat rather than juggling threads. The red cap uses DMC 321, a true Christmas red that stays bright on white Aida, and the spots are B5200 so they read as crisp highlights rather than another shade of cream.

How to work it

Start with the cap: find the centre arrows on your chart, count up to the brim and stitch the long tan rim (738) first, because it gives you a straight reference line for everything above it. Fill the red next, leaving the spots as gaps, then add the white spots last so the white thread stays clean. The stalk is a single block of 3865 — stitch it in rows, working all your bottom legs first and then crossing back. Finish with the two leaves, using the lighter green for the central veins.

Finishing ideas

At 26 × 22 stitches the design is about 1.9 × 1.6 inches on 14-count Aida, which suits a 3-inch hoop, a greetings card aperture or a bookmark. On 18-count it shrinks to under 1.5 inches — small enough for a brooch or a felt ornament.

Colour plan

DMC 321 Red does the most work, 34% of the 374 stitches, followed by DMC 3865 Winter White at 30%. Every colour is used at least 10 times, so there are no tiny one-off details to hunt for. 35% of the grid is left empty.

Working notes

1 square stands alone in its 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 10 times.