From domestic pets to farm animals and wild beasts, animals portraits are one of the very nicest things to stitch! Some legendary designers, like the much-loved but sadly no longer with us Polyanna Pickering have created epic designs that can't be purchased anymore. We've been hunting down the very best cross stitch charts featuring our animals friends that you can still get hold of and start stitching today. Is your next must-stitch design on this list?
Animal cross stitch pattern: baby snow leopard
Baby animals hold special appeal for so many stitchers, and this lovely design from Jenny Barton shows a sweet snow leopard cub. Just look at those beautiful marking – you almost feel like you could stroke him! This design is part of Cross Stitch Favourites: animal friends. This special magazine collection is packed with more than 160 realistic animal and cute character designs, and is on sale now for £4.99.
Click to find out more about Cross Stitch Favourites: animal friends
Animal cross stitch pattern: labrador
You know how sometimes animals have those eyes that melt your heart? This! Jenny Barton's very good boy is a complete darling, and he can have the treat/ball/food we are holding any time he likes! Originally featured in Cross Stitch Gold 122, this design is now available as a chart download from her website for £4.49.
Click to see the labrador chart on Jenny Barton's webstore
Animal cross stitch pattern: flower crown pets
If you are looking for a slightly smaller stitch that is still crammed with character, how about this lovely quartet of pet portraits adorned with flower crowns? Whether you stitch each animal on its own, or present as a set of 4 as designer Lucie Heaton has shown here, these sweet characters will be just as adorable. The PDF download of the 4 character charts costs £4.95 from her online store.
Click here to see the chart in her online store
Animal cross stitch pattern: farmyard friends
Leave it Joanne Aston to capture the best bits of a rural life in her cross stitch designs! We love this farmyard hanging scene, which can also be stitched as separate smaller designs, too. This is another of the great charts included in Cross Stitch Favourites: animals friends.
Click to find out more about Cross Stitch Favourites: animal friends
Animal cross stitch pattern: African sunset
These silhouette animals are so cool! You can stitch the entire scene without ever having to rethread your needle, and using a vibrant background fabric does the sunset work for you! Originally featured in Cross Stitch Crazy, these stunning stitches are now available in designer Fiona Baker's online Etsy store. The PDF download costs £5
Click here to see the pattern in Fiona's etsy store
Animal cross stitch patterns: Elephant and baby
Did you know that a baby elephant is called a calf? However you word it, there is no mistaking the bond between mother in child, captured here in cross stitch by Maria Diaz. This is such an adorable portrait! You can download the chart from her online store for £3
Click here to see the chart in her online store
Animal cross stitch patterns: tiger
This could be as close to cross stitch tiger perfection as we have ever seen! No stitches are wasted in Jenny Barton's stunningly realistic portrait, brought to life with some classy greenery to frame and display this tiger so he looks his very best. This simply stunning design is available in The World of Cross Stitching issue 293, on sale in the UK on 20th March 2020.
Click here to see the latest from The World of Cross Stitching magazine
Animal cross stitch pattern: Indian elephant
Oooh, this is such a sumptuous design! It was originally created by Susan Bates for Cross Stitch Gold back in 2012, and is now available to buy from her online chart shop for £7.50. We just adore the colours on this design!
Click to see this design in Susan Bates' Etsy store
Animal cross stitch patterns: free hedgehog
This little guy is not quite on the same scale as the other projects featured here, but that's because he is a free taster from Jenny Barton's JB Cross Stitch! If you love her big designs shown here, but want to test out something smaller before committing to a larger stitch, he's your hog.
Find the free hedgehog chart on JB Cross Stitch
Animal cross stitch patterns: free on Gathered
We have many free animal cross stitch patterns for you right here on Gathered, and we'll be adding to these all the time! Our current selection includes butterflies, caterpillars, pandas, birdies and more? How about stitching this sweet mouse from Rhona Norrie?
Find the free animal cross stitch patterns
Animal cross stitch patterns: Monkey and dog cross stitch cards
These brilliant cards from Jenny Barton are great for celebrating birthdays, whatever the age of the birthday boy or girl!
Find the monkey & dog cross stitch patterns
Animal cross stitch patterns: folk art fox
Here is a very special chart that we have available as a free download on Gathered! This beautiful fox created by Durene J0nes makes a luxurious stitch for all seasons.
Find the Durene Jones cross stitch fox pattern
Animal cross stitch patterns: Otters
Cuteness overload alert! There are so many lovely animal cross stitch patterns in Little Beach Hut’s range, but we think these otters are our favourite. This would be a fun take on a family tree or birth sampler for a growing family – there is an otter couple version available too which would be good for weddings or engagements with the Otterly in Love pun as an added bonus. This kit costs £17. Find it on Little Beach Hut’s Etsy store.
Cross Stitch Favourites: animal friends
Get your paws on this gorgeous collection of animal designs! With 160 charts to choose from, you'll find just the thing to stitch this spring.There's something for every skill level, too! Click to order your copy
