Free cross stitch alphabet patterns
Six counted cross stitch alphabets, from tiny letters for bookmarks to a classic serif sampler alphabet. Print the charts, or type your own words to get a full pattern.
Pick an alphabet
| Alphabet | Capitals | On 14-count | Lowercase | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiny | 5 stitches | 0.36 in | Yes | Bookmarks, dates, labels |
| Small | 6 stitches | 0.43 in | Yes | Names on ornaments and bibs |
| Classic | 7 stitches | 0.50 in | Yes | Names, words and quotes |
| Sampler | 9 stitches | 0.64 in | No | Samplers and records |
| Bold | 10 stitches | 0.71 in | Yes | Cushions and signs |
| Large | 13 stitches | 0.93 in | Yes | Wall hangings and headlines |
Tiny cross stitch alphabet
The smallest readable alphabet. Use it for bookmarks, dates, initials and labels under a design. Capitals are 5 stitches tall: 0.36 in on 14-count, 0.31 in on 16-count and 0.28 in on 18-count. Includes lowercase, numbers, & and a heart.
Stitch your own words in Tiny Open the capitals as a pattern
Small cross stitch alphabet
Neat little letters for names on ornaments, baby bibs and the corner of a bigger piece. Capitals are 6 stitches tall: 0.43 in on 14-count, 0.38 in on 16-count and 0.33 in on 18-count. Includes lowercase, numbers, & and a heart.
Stitch your own words in Small Open the capitals as a pattern
Classic cross stitch alphabet
A clear everyday alphabet with lowercase, for names, short words and quotes. Capitals are 7 stitches tall: 0.50 in on 14-count, 0.44 in on 16-count and 0.39 in on 18-count. Includes lowercase, numbers, & and a heart.
Stitch your own words in Classic Open the capitals as a pattern
Sampler cross stitch alphabet
A traditional serif alphabet of capitals, for samplers, wedding and birth records, and monograms. Capitals are 9 stitches tall: 0.64 in on 14-count, 0.56 in on 16-count and 0.50 in on 18-count. Capitals, numbers, & and a heart.
Stitch your own words in Sampler Open the capitals as a pattern
Bold cross stitch alphabet
Thick letters that read from across the room, for cushions, signs and door hangers. Capitals are 10 stitches tall: 0.71 in on 14-count, 0.63 in on 16-count and 0.56 in on 18-count. Includes lowercase, numbers, & and a heart.
Stitch your own words in Bold Open the capitals as a pattern
Large cross stitch alphabet
Big letters with smooth curves, for wall hangings, headlines and pieces on high-count fabric. Capitals are 13 stitches tall: 0.93 in on 14-count, 0.81 in on 16-count and 0.72 in on 18-count. Includes lowercase, numbers, & and a heart.
Stitch your own words in Large Open the capitals as a pattern
Spacing letters and words
- Between letters: 1 blank square for small alphabets, 2 for Sampler and the larger fonts.
- Between words: 3 or 4 blank squares, about the width of a narrow letter.
- Between lines: 2 or 3 blank rows, more if the line below has tall capitals.
- Centre it: count the width of your word, find the middle, and start there from the centre of your fabric.
The cross stitch text generator does all of this for you. Turn a photo into a pattern with the cross stitch pattern maker, or print cross stitch graph paper to plan your own lettering. The same alphabets work for plastic canvas letters and filet crochet letters.
Questions
How do I cross stitch letters from an alphabet chart?
Each square on the chart is one cross stitch. Plan your word on graph paper or in the text generator first, leaving 1 or 2 blank squares between letters and 2 or 3 between words, then stitch from the centre of the word outwards so it sits in the middle of your fabric.
How tall will the letters be?
Divide the letter height in stitches by your fabric count. The 9-stitch Sampler capitals are 0.64 inches (16 mm) tall on 14-count Aida and half an inch on 18-count.
Can I make a name or a quote from these alphabets?
Yes. Type it into the cross stitch text generator and pick the same font: it spaces the letters for you and gives a full pattern with the thread list, fabric size and a printable PDF.
Can I use these alphabets in patterns I sell?
Yes. The Sampler alphabet is our own design and the other fonts are free bitmap fonts (public domain and MIT licence), so you can stitch and sell what you make with them.
How do I print an alphabet chart?
Open the chart image and print it, or open the alphabet as a pattern to download a PDF with a grid, centre marks and row numbers.