Free Horse Cross Stitch Pattern: Chestnut Portrait (PDF)
Download a free chestnut horse cross stitch pattern PDF with a 100 x 100 grid, 15 colors, four printable chart pages and a floss-and-symbol key.
Stitch a chestnut horse portrait with a dark mane, upright ears and a cream blaze. This free horse cross stitch pattern includes an eight-page PDF with a project guide, four chart pages and a floss-and-symbol key. Download it directly without an account.
The stitched preview above comes from the downloadable PDF. Use the PDF's numbered charts and 15-color floss key together for stitch placement and thread selection.
Pattern details and finished size
The specifications below come from the downloadable PDF, titled "Minimal Chestnut Horse Portrait."
| Detail | PDF specification |
|---|---|
| Chart size | 100 x 100 stitches |
| Total stitches | 10,000 full cross stitches, including the background |
| Palette | 15 colors, with DMC numbers and symbols in the PDF |
| Backstitch | None |
| Suggested fabric | 14-count Aida |
| Thread setting | 2 strands |
| Finished size on 14-count Aida | About 7.1 x 7.1 inches / 18.1 x 18.1 cm |
| Suggested fabric cut | About 13.1 x 13.1 inches / 33.4 x 33.4 cm |
This is a full-coverage square: the pale background is stitched too. The suggested fabric cut includes 3 inches / 7.6 cm of extra fabric on every side for handling and finishing.
To calculate the stitched width on another fabric count, divide 100 by the count in squares per inch. On 16-count Aida, for example, the design measures 6.25 inches square before adding a border. See our Aida fabric count guide for more help choosing fabric.
From horse illustration to stitched portrait
The original artwork uses broad chestnut shapes, a dark flowing mane and a light facial marking. Those strong contrasts keep the horse recognizable when the image becomes a grid of stitches.
Have a favorite horse photo of your own? Upload your picture to Crosspic to create a separate, personalized pattern. Crop close enough to keep the face prominent, choose a clear image with good light, and compare the eye, ears and blaze in the preview before downloading. Our photo preparation guide explains how cropping and background detail affect a chart.
What is included in the free PDF?
The eight-page download contains a cover, a stitch preview, a project guide, four numbered chart pages and a floss-and-symbol key. The four chart sections fit together as follows:
| Chart section | Columns | Rows |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1-59 | 1-81 |
| 2 | 57-100 | 1-81 |
| 3 | 1-59 | 79-100 |
| 4 | 57-100 | 79-100 |
Adjacent chart pages repeat three stitches. Stitch each overlap only once. Match the row and column numbers when moving between pages; the small page map shows where the next section belongs.
Print one chart page first to check symbol legibility before printing the complete file. Keep the final key page beside your work, and use the bold ten-stitch grid lines to check your position. For more guidance, read how to read a cross stitch chart and prepare a pattern for printing.
Choosing floss and planning the project
Use the PDF's 15-color key when organizing your threads. Its main shades include DMC 301 for the chestnut coat, 938 and 898 for dark areas, and 746 for much of the pale background. Compare thread numbers against physical floss or a thread card rather than choosing by screen color. The PDF's thread estimates include 15% extra; actual usage depends on your stitching and how you carry thread.
The design uses full cross stitches with no backstitch, but 10,000 stitches make it a substantial project. The eye, muzzle and mane edges need careful counting. It suits someone comfortable following a symbol chart who wants a horse portrait to work on over multiple sessions.
You can choose to leave the background unstitched, but that changes the supplied design and its thread requirements. Identify background squares from the chart rather than skipping every pale stitch: light shades also define the horse's blaze.
Download the free horse pattern
Download the free chestnut horse cross stitch pattern (PDF)
For another animal project, browse the free cross stitch pattern collection, including our puppy pattern and ginger cat pattern.
To make your next project personal, turn your own horse or pet photo into a cross stitch pattern. Upload your image, adjust the chart size and palette, and check the preview before downloading your custom pattern.