13 free patterns to print and stitch, from one-color starters to motifs charted from pattern books printed centuries ago. Each PDF has a symbol chart, a DMC floss list and step-by-step instructions. They're free for personal use; please don't sell or redistribute them.
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A red rose with its leaves, charted from a hand-painted Berlin woolwork design from about 1860. Six colours, all from DMC's 36-colour House Decoration pack.
Chart, key & instructionsSymbol chart, thread key and step-by-step instructions. Print at 100% for a 14-count working copy.
Floss list
DMC 367 Pistachio Green Dark, DMC 321 Red, DMC 470 Avocado Green Light, DMC 838 Beige Brown Very Dark, DMC 498 Red Dark, DMC 471 Avocado Green Very Light
After a design for Berlin wool work, about 1860. Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, 1947-78-1 · Public domain (CC0) (source)
Two motifs that alternate along a border in the same 1597 Nuremberg pattern book, in red and blue. Stitch the three shown, or keep repeating them along a towel or bookmark.
Chart, key & instructionsSymbol chart, thread key and step-by-step instructions. Print at 100% for a 14-count working copy.
Floss list
DMC 321 Red, DMC 798 Delft Blue Dark
After Johann Sibmacher, Schön Neues Modelbuch, Nuremberg, 1597 (charted on a diagonal grid; turned 45° for cross stitch). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 680648 (page 22 recto) · Public domain (CC0) (source)
Sibmacher Cross
Beginner · Cross stitch · 13 × 13 stitches · 1 color · 14ct Aida, white
A small cross with a chequered heart, charted from a pattern book printed in Nuremberg in 1597. One colour and 53 stitches: a first project you can finish in an evening.
Chart, key & instructionsSymbol chart, thread key and step-by-step instructions. Print at 100% for a 14-count working copy.
Floss list
DMC 321 Red
After Johann Sibmacher, Schön Neues Modelbuch, Nuremberg, 1597 (charted on a diagonal grid; turned 45° for cross stitch). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 680648 (page 22 recto) · Public domain (CC0) (source)
Sibmacher Crosslets
Beginner · Cross stitch · 15 × 15 stitches · 1 color · 14ct Aida, white
Four little crosses in a square, from the same 1597 Nuremberg pattern book as the Sibmacher Diamond. One colour, quick to stitch.
Chart, key & instructionsSymbol chart, thread key and step-by-step instructions. Print at 100% for a 14-count working copy.
Floss list
DMC 798 Delft Blue Dark
After Johann Sibmacher, Schön Neues Modelbuch, Nuremberg, 1597. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 680650 (page 24 recto) · Public domain (CC0) (source)
Sibmacher Diamond
Beginner · Cross stitch · 15 × 15 stitches · 1 color · 14ct Aida, white
A diamond-in-diamond square charted from a pattern book printed in Nuremberg in 1597. One colour, in the style of traditional redwork; stitch it alone or repeat it as a border.
Chart, key & instructionsSymbol chart, thread key and step-by-step instructions. Print at 100% for a 14-count working copy.
Floss list
DMC 321 Red
After Johann Sibmacher, Schön Neues Modelbuch, Nuremberg, 1597. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 680650 (page 24 recto) · Public domain (CC0) (source)
A white Spitz resting on a red cushion, charted from a Berlin woolwork design published by P. Trübe in Berlin about 1850. A bigger second project; every colour is in DMC's 36-colour House Decoration pack.
Chart, key & instructionsSymbol chart, thread key and step-by-step instructions. Print at 100% for a 14-count working copy.
Floss list
DMC 838 Beige Brown Very Dark, DMC B5200 Snow White, DMC 645 Beaver Gray Very Dark, DMC 902 Garnet Very Dark, DMC 498 Red Dark, DMC 646 Beaver Gray Dark, DMC 840 Beige Brown Medium, DMC 321 Red, DMC 729 Old Gold Medium, DMC 725 Topaz Medium Light
After “Design for Berlin Wool Work, Spitz”, P. Trübe, Berlin, about 1850. Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, 1960-59-1 · Public domain (CC0) (source)
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