About this pattern
This memorial cardinal ornament cross stitch pattern is a gentle way to keep someone close at Christmas: a red cardinal on a snowy branch, the old saying "Cardinals appear when angels are near", and their name with the years underneath. You choose the name, whether that's Margaret, Mom, Nana or Grandpa Joe, and I've made the lettering easy to plan.
What's inside
- The full ornament chart with the sample name MARGARET and the years 1948 - 2025, in color, black and white, large print and a Pattern Keeper file
- Three alphabets with numbers: Hearth Bold for names up to 8 letters, Hearth Narrow (same height) for up to 12, and Tiny Caps for the years
- A name-spacing worksheet with a worked example, simple centering steps and a blank ornament to plan on
- Two colorways: Classic Sage and Snowy Blue
- Felt-back ornament circle templates, a real-size page, a stitch-time estimate and a progress tracker
Size: 71 x 71 stitches, about 5.1 in on 14 count, 4.4 in on 16 count or 3.9 in on 18 count. Full stitches only, 10 colors.
Finish it as a round felt-backed ornament for the tree, or display it in a 6 inch hoop (a 5 inch hoop on 16 or 18 count) on a shelf all year. It's a thoughtful sympathy gift to stitch for a friend, or a quiet project for your own first Christmas without someone.
I suggest Antique White Aida, so the snow on the branch and the white of the cardinal's eye show up softly.
Plus our free beginner cheat sheet and bonus minis with every order.
