It is the zodiac year of the Dragon! In China, the Dragon is a symbol of wisdom, power and adventurousness. The occasion is celebrated by billions of people around the world each year and the celebrations are rich in culture and tradition that centres around the hope for good fortune and prosperity in the year ahead.
In the spirit of that celebration, Cheryl Mckinnon (Tiny Modernist) has designed a beautiful mixture of motifs to welcome the Chinese New Year (also known as the Lunar New Year). In the free download, you'll find the likes of lanterns, good luck charms and of course the zodiac Dragon to start stitching! We hope these will bring good fortune to all those who stitch them.
When is Chinese New Year?
Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year starts on Saturday 10th February 2024.
If you want to read and learn more about the Lunar New Year, there are plenty of resources available online. We like this one from China Highlights. Or this article contains 21 things you didn't know about Chinese New Year.
What is it the year of?
It is the year of the wood Dragon! The last time it was the year of the Dragon was 2012. Is your Chinese zodiac sign a Dragon? Find out here. Next year in 2025, it's the year of the snake and you'll find a cute snake design too in your free cross stitch chart sheet download. Start stitching now to get ahead!
Chinese New Year 2024: Dragon cross stitch
If you fancy stitching some of this good fortune into your life then this free pattern will do just that! You'll find 14 lovely motifs to symbolise Chinese or Lunar New Year, including a dragon plus an alphabet to add some personalisation to your stitch creations.
These motifs were designed by Cheryl Mckinnon and were originally published in Cross Stitch Crazy issue 224, January 2017. Where you'll find an additional 36 motifs to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
If you’re new to cross stitch or need an extra helping hand getting started we have plenty of useful resources available, find out how to cross stitch or learn more about cross stitch needle sizes. These two guides contain all you need to know about cross stitch, and you'll be able to start stitching today!
Chinese New Year cross stitch fact box:
- Stitching Time - Approx 2-5 hours each
- Type of Stitches - Cross stitch, backstitch
- Ease of Stitching - Beginner
What you’ll need:
- Threads - Stranded cotton as listed in the key
- Needle - Size 24 tapestry needle
- Fabric - White Aida measuring a maximum of 15x15cm (6x6in) for most designs
Chinese New Year pattern download
Click the link to download the free Chinese New Year cross stitch pattern. The download contains x2 A4 PDF containing 12 motifs plus an alphabet and an accompanying key.
We hope you loved the Chinese New Year cross stitch. If you want some other fun makes, try these adorable cross stitch cards and top up your stash. Are you looking for gifts for someone special who loves stitching? Then check out these cute needle minders or these lovely modern cross stitch kits and the printed cross stitch kits which contain everything you need to complete the whole project, ideal for those new to the craft. If you want more inspiration for cross stitch ideas be sure to browse through our large collection of free cross stitch patterns, there is something for all ages and abilities.
