free hand-embroidery patterns

To say I’m behind in posting links to free patterns is an understatement! Enjoy these designs dating back to the first of the year.

This week, we’ve gathered the greatest hand-embroidery patterns for you to try! We offer something for everyone, whether you’re a novice or an expert. Our free patterns range from simple cross-stitch designs to more complicated flower and animal motifs. With so many designs to select from, you’re bound to find one that matches your taste. Our designs are extremely simple to follow, so even if you’re a novice, you’ll be able to complete your project with ease. So why not give it a shot? You’ll be shocked at how quickly you can accomplish your own embroidered creations. It’s also a terrific way to find creative expression and unwind after a busy day. So take your needles.

Please note that these patterns were free at the time of writing these cross-stitch articles. Lots of free cross stitch and embroidery patterns come and go online, so if you find a great pattern or perhaps one of the links to the cross stitch patterns below does not work, then please drop a comment below and let us know.

Looking for more curated lists? Check out these Embroidery and Needlework Patterns.  For supplies, we highly recommend purchasing directly from DMC threads.

1. Let’s Make the Most of this Beautiful Day (6-page PDF) from Speckless
2. Ingalls motif of the late 1800s from Turkey Feathers
3. Give More sampler from Down to Earth (via Jenny of Elefantz)
4. Hearts from Spot Colors
5. Fruit and flowers (2 motifs) from Broderie d’Antan
6. Gollum valentine from Cations Designs
7. Sweet snail by The Noble Wife
8. Spring Rain doodle from Primitives by the Light of the Moon
9. Vintage daisy rooster, hen, and chick (5 motifs) from Faster, Kittykill! Blog! Blog!
10. Hope from Hudson’s Holidays
11. Chick digital stamp suitable for embroidery from Paper Digital Stamps (via Heather at CraftGossip’s stamping blog)
12. Happy Easter digital stamp suitable for embroidery from Desert Diva (via Heather at CraftGossip’s stamping blog)
13. Coffee Time from Hudson’s Holidays
14. Simple Posies from Primitives by the Light of the Moon
15. Tiny Easter Eggs from Wild Olive
16. Boy with Easter egg digital stamp suitable for embroidery from Sliekje Digital Stamps (via Heather at CraftGossip’s stamping blog)
17. Basic bird from We Love French Knots
18. Butterfly from Shawkl
19. Flower motif suitable for shadow work from Royce’s Hub
20. Beehive digital stamp suitable for embroidery from Scrap Happy Paper Crafter (via Heather at CraftGossip’s stamping blog)
21. Easter bunny digital stamp suitable for embroidery from Back to Paper (via Heather at CraftGossip’s stamping blog)
22. Kitty Cat in a Basket from Hudson’s Holidays
23. Cross and Crown of Thorns from Needle ‘n’ Thread
24. Cherry from Bird Brain Designs
25. Vintage lazy-daisy butterfly from Maureen’s Vintage Acquisitions
26. Borders (4 designs) from Broderie d’Antan
27. Vintage girl with silver knife from JafaBrit’s Art
28. Peacock digital stamp suitable for embroidery from Little Musings (via Francine of CraftGossip’s scrapbooking blog)