Discover this charming bird cross stitch featuring delicate flowers and intertwining leaves. This a great project for stitchers who enjoy dainty, nature-inspired designs.
The design sees elegant white and red flowers displayed in a heart shape, finished off with a pretty blue tit nestled in the corner! A lovely design stitched on a luxury linen fabric that will bring a breath of fresh air into your home.
Love this pattern? We have plenty more free cross stitch patterns to choose from.
Why cross stitch on linen?
With its fine finish, 28-count Cashel linen gives this design a timeless heirloom feel. Despite having a high-count fabric (smaller holes), the design uses mostly whole cross stitches with minimal backstitching, making it suitable for advanced beginners.
It’s also a great introduction to working with linen if you’ve not tried it before.
How to stitch a diamond eyelet
This design features diamond eyelet stitches. If you've never heard of them, we've got all the info you need...
Diamond eyelets are created by working a series of stitches around a central hole in a diamond shape. The tighter you pull the stitches, the larger the eyelet hole will become.
- To begin, bring the needle out at the very top of the diamond eyelet.
- Take it back down through the fabric again in the central stitch.
- Then, up again at the top of the next arm, working in either a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction.
- Take the needle back down through the same central stitch as before, and repeat around the circle, enlarging the hole slightly each time.
Top tip for this project: The diamond eyelets on this chart are worked in two strands of cotton.
How should I finish my bird cross stitch?
We’ve framed our completed project in a flexible wood-effect hoop for a charming rustic look. The design would also look lovely on a cushion for a cosy corner of your living room or a mini pillow for your bed!
This beautiful bird cross stitch design was created by Jenny van de Wiele and was originally published in The World of Cross Stitching magazine issue 276. If you would like the full issue you can purchase a digital edition of the magazine.
Cross stitch bird pattern
Key features of the Bird cross stitch
- Stitch time: Approx. 9 hours
- Stitch Types: Cross stitch, backstitch, diamond eyelets, beads
- Ease of Stitching: Intermediate
What you’ll need to make the retro cross stitch
- Fabric: Zweigart* 28-count ice blue cashel linen measuring 25x30cm (9¾x11¾in)
- Threads: Stranded cotton as listed in the key
- Needle: Size 24 tapestry needle
- Mill Hill seed beads as listed in the key
- 5x7in Oval Flexi Hoops with woodgrain effect from Siesta Frames
- Felt for backing and twine
Download the bird cross stitch pattern
- Download the Bird PDF pattern
Looking to try stitching on other fabrics?
Find out everything you need to know about cross stitch fabric with our expert guide including evenweave, aida, linen and other common fabrics.
Stitch the bird cross stitch on linen
As we’ve mentioned linen can be a more challenging fabric to stitch on, but it gives beautiful results. Thanks to the higher count fabric (meaning the holes are smaller) it’s much easier to create highly detailed and delicate stitching.
Keep experimenting with your cross stitch projects
There’s lots of ways to keep your skills sharp with cross stitch by choosing different fabrics and styles. Have you tried stitching on soluble canvas? That’s a canvas that dissolves in water used for applying cross stitch to clothing and tote bags.
Check out our how cross stitch on clothing tutorial, and try it today.
