Free Fall Cross Stitch Patterns: Cozy Autumn Animals

By The Editorial TeamUpdated 6 min read
Three autumn cross-stitch patterns in a row: a baby Highland cow among oak leaves, a red panda holding an acorn lantern, and a badger hugging a mug of spiced cider

Here are 11 free fall cross stitch patterns, compared side by side. Each one is an animal with autumn details: falling leaves, knit scarves and hats, or a hot drink. None of them is Halloween, so you can hang them from September to the end of November. Start with our top picks, then read the card for each pattern. Each one is a free PDF with the chart and the thread list.

Our top picks

Best quick fall project

Cross-stitch pattern of a brown bear cub in a green pom-pom beanie drinking from a steaming brown mugBear Cub with a Steaming Mug

Intermediate · 5.5" x 8.1" · 47–79 hours

Get the free PDFWhy we picked it

Best first big fall piece

Cross-stitch pattern of a smiling red fox in a green knit scarf holding up an orange maple leaf, with a brown satchel at its sideRed Fox Holding a Maple Leaf

Intermediate · 9.2" x 11.9" · 118–196 hours

Get the free PDFWhy we picked it

Best farmhouse piece

Cross-stitch pattern of a shaggy baby Highland cow with rosy cheeks sitting among autumn oak leaves, acorns and chanterelle mushroomsBaby Highland Cow in Autumn Leaves

Advanced · 14.6" x 14.4" · 210–350 hours

Get the free PDFWhy we picked it

Compare the patterns

Free Fall Cross Stitch Patterns: Cozy Autumn Animals: difficulty, size, colors and stitching time of each pattern
PatternBest forDifficultySize (14-count)ColorsStitching timeDownload
Bear Cub with a Steaming MugBest quick fall projectIntermediate5.5" x 8.1"1347–79 hoursFree PDF
Red Fox Holding a Maple LeafBest first big fall pieceIntermediate9.2" x 11.9"13118–196 hoursFree PDF
Red Fox Peeking Around a DoorBest for a narrow wallIntermediate8.3" x 13.5"15137–229 hoursFree PDF
Golden Puppy in a Knit ScarfBest for dog loversIntermediate9.4" x 11.9"9158–263 hoursFree PDF
Badger with Spiced CiderBest for a coffee cornerAdvanced9.3" x 11.0"14158–264 hoursFree PDF
Hedgehog in a Knit SweaterBest for a reading cornerIntermediate10.6" x 13.1"17179–299 hoursFree PDF
Red Fox Curled in Autumn LeavesBest round designAdvanced12.6" x 11.4"23189–314 hoursFree PDF
Baby Highland Cow in Autumn LeavesBest farmhouse pieceAdvanced14.6" x 14.4"18210–350 hoursFree PDF
Red Panda with an Acorn LanternBest long autumn projectAdvanced13.2" x 15.1"13211–351 hoursFree PDF
Mouse Carrying a Giant AcornBest quick fall projectBeginner5.6" x 5.2"1532–53 hoursFree PDF
Raccoon in a Pumpkin PatchBest pumpkin patchIntermediate5.7" x 5.1"2234–56 hoursFree PDF

How we compared them: every number on this page is read from the pattern's own chart, the same one in the free PDF. Stitching times assume 60 to 100 stitches an hour. All of them use full cross stitches only.

Best quick fall project

Bear Cub with a Steaming Mug

Cross-stitch pattern of a brown bear cub in a green pom-pom beanie drinking from a steaming brown mug

A brown bear cub in a green beanie, eyes closed, drinking from a steaming mug.

Good for: a fall piece you can finish in a few weeks

Difficulty
Intermediate
Stitches
4,749 (77 x 113)
Finished size (14-count)
5.5" x 8.1"
Colors
13 DMC
Stitching time
47–79 hours
Fabric to cut
12" x 15"

What we like

  • 4,749 stitches: a few weeks of evenings.
  • 13 colors, and only 2 are used for fewer than 60 stitches.

Keep in mind

  • Rated Intermediate, not Beginner.
  • The steam is a very pale gray that is hard to see on white fabric.

Stitching tip: The steam is DMC 01, a very pale gray. Stitch it in good light.

Best first big fall piece

Red Fox Holding a Maple Leaf

Cross-stitch pattern of a smiling red fox in a green knit scarf holding up an orange maple leaf, with a brown satchel at its side

A smiling red fox in a green scarf, holding up an orange maple leaf.

Good for: your first large autumn piece

Difficulty
Intermediate
Stitches
11,787 (129 x 166)
Finished size (14-count)
9.2" x 11.9"
Colors
13 DMC
Stitching time
118–196 hours
Fabric to cut
16" x 18"

What we like

  • The smallest of the large designs, with 13 colors.
  • Only 2 colors are used for fewer than 60 stitches, so you rarely stop for a single stitch.

Keep in mind

  • 11,787 stitches: plan on a few months.
  • Needs a 16" x 18" piece of fabric.

Stitching tip: Stitch the green scarf first. It's a band across the middle that helps you count the fur above and below it.

Best for a narrow wall

Red Fox Peeking Around a Door

Cross-stitch pattern of a red fox wearing a mustard-yellow knit scarf peeking around the edge of a weathered brown wooden door

A red fox in a mustard scarf leaning out from behind a wooden door.

Good for: a narrow wall next to a doorway; it's tall and thin

Difficulty
Intermediate
Stitches
13,730 (116 x 189)
Finished size (14-count)
8.3" x 13.5"
Colors
15 DMC
Stitching time
137–229 hours
Fabric to cut
15" x 20"

What we like

  • Only 8.3" wide, so it fits where a square piece won't.
  • Almost half the design is one brown, so the long rows go quickly.

Keep in mind

  • That brown needs 4 skeins bought at once.
  • Needs a tall piece of fabric: 15" x 20".

Stitching tip: The door's brown (DMC 839) needs 4 skeins. Buy them all at once so the shade matches.

Best for dog lovers

Golden Puppy in a Knit Scarf

Cross-stitch pattern of a golden-brown floppy-eared puppy wearing a chunky rust cable-knit scarf with a leaf-shaped pendant

A floppy-eared golden puppy in a chunky rust scarf.

Good for: a dog lover's wall

Difficulty
Intermediate
Stitches
15,783 (131 x 167)
Finished size (14-count)
9.4" x 11.9"
Colors
9 DMC
Stitching time
158–263 hours
Fabric to cut
16" x 18"

What we like

  • Only 9 colors, the fewest of the eleven.
  • Dark navy outlines make the face look soft.

Keep in mind

  • 15,783 stitches.
  • Large areas of golden fur can feel slow to fill.

Stitching tip: The outlines are dark navy (DMC 939), not black. Keep the navy; it makes the face softer.

Best for a coffee corner

Badger with Spiced Cider

Cross-stitch pattern of a black-and-white badger hugging a glass mug of amber spiced cider with a cinnamon stick and star anise, on a wooden table

A badger hugging a glass mug of cider with a cinnamon stick and star anise.

Good for: a kitchen or coffee corner

Difficulty
Advanced
Stitches
15,818 (130 x 154)
Finished size (14-count)
9.3" x 11.0"
Colors
14 DMC
Stitching time
158–264 hours
Fabric to cut
16" x 17"

What we like

  • Every one of its 14 colors covers a large area. None is used for fewer than 60 stitches.
  • Matches the Bear Cub and the Hedgehog: all three hold hot drinks.

Keep in mind

  • Rated Advanced.
  • The glass needs its colors stitched in the right order.

Stitching tip: Stitch the amber cider first, then add the white reflections on top.

Best for a reading corner

Hedgehog in a Knit Sweater

Cross-stitch pattern of a hedgehog wearing a teal knit beanie and brown sweater, holding a steaming mug and an orange maple leaf

A hedgehog in a knit hat and sweater, holding a steaming mug and a maple leaf.

Good for: a cozy reading corner

Difficulty
Intermediate
Stitches
17,925 (148 x 183)
Finished size (14-count)
10.6" x 13.1"
Colors
17 DMC
Stitching time
179–299 hours
Fabric to cut
17" x 20"

What we like

  • A hot drink and a maple leaf in one design.
  • Only 2 of its 17 colors are used for fewer than 60 stitches.

Keep in mind

  • 17,925 stitches.
  • The quills take care: they run at an angle, not in straight rows.

Stitching tip: Stitch the quills in short diagonal lines that follow their direction, not in straight rows.

Best round design

Red Fox Curled in Autumn Leaves

Cross-stitch pattern of a red fox curled asleep in a circular wreath of autumn oak leaves and acorns

A red fox asleep inside a round wreath of oak leaves and acorns.

Good for: a round frame

Difficulty
Advanced
Stitches
18,869 (177 x 160)
Finished size (14-count)
12.6" x 11.4"
Colors
23 DMC
Stitching time
189–314 hours
Fabric to cut
19" x 18"

What we like

  • The round wreath shape looks different from every other piece here.
  • Lots of leaf colors for a rich autumn look.

Keep in mind

  • 23 colors, the most of the eleven.
  • One miscount early on throws off the whole circle.

Stitching tip: Stitch the fox first, then do the wreath one quarter at a time.

Best farmhouse piece

Baby Highland Cow in Autumn Leaves

Cross-stitch pattern of a shaggy baby Highland cow with rosy cheeks sitting among autumn oak leaves, acorns and chanterelle mushrooms

A shaggy baby Highland cow sitting among oak leaves, acorns and mushrooms.

Good for: a farmhouse-style room

Difficulty
Advanced
Stitches
21,022 (205 x 201)
Finished size (14-count)
14.6" x 14.4"
Colors
18 DMC
Stitching time
210–350 hours
Fabric to cut
21" x 21"

What we like

  • A full autumn scene: leaves, acorns and mushrooms.
  • 18 colors, and only 3 are used for fewer than 60 stitches.

Keep in mind

  • 21,022 stitches: a long project.
  • The main tan needs 3 skeins bought together.

Stitching tip: The main tan (DMC 437) needs 3 skeins. Buy them together so the coat is one even color.

Best long autumn project

Red Panda with an Acorn Lantern

Cross-stitch pattern of a red panda in an orange pom-pom beanie and scarf holding a glowing acorn lantern, standing on autumn leaves with small pumpkins

A red panda in a beanie and scarf, holding a glowing acorn-shaped lantern among leaves and small pumpkins.

Good for: the brightest, most colorful fall wall piece

Difficulty
Advanced
Stitches
21,080 (185 x 212)
Finished size (14-count)
13.2" x 15.1"
Colors
13 DMC
Stitching time
211–351 hours
Fabric to cut
20" x 22"

What we like

  • Every one of its 13 colors covers a large area. None is used for fewer than 60 stitches.
  • Bright oranges and a glowing yellow lantern.

Keep in mind

  • 21,080 stitches, the most of the eleven.
  • The lantern's glow is a very pale yellow that is easy to miss.

Stitching tip: The lantern's glow is DMC 745, a very pale yellow. Stitch it in daylight and check it from a few feet away.

Best quick fall project

Mouse Carrying a Giant Acorn

Cross-stitch pattern of a brown mouse carrying a giant acorn with a leafy stem, walking over orange autumn leaves

A brown mouse straining to carry an acorn bigger than itself over fallen leaves.

Good for: a first fall project or a kitchen hoop

Difficulty
Beginner
Stitches
3,154 (79 x 73)
Finished size (14-count)
5.6" x 5.2"
Colors
15 DMC
Stitching time
32–53 hours
Fabric to cut
12" x 12"

What we like

  • Rated Beginner, with a bold black outline.
  • 45% of the fabric stays bare.

Keep in mind

  • Two acorn browns meet along a curved line.
  • The fallen leaves are small groups of stitches.

Stitching tip: Stitch the acorn's two browns one after the other, not back and forth.

Best pumpkin patch

Raccoon in a Pumpkin Patch

Cross-stitch pattern of a raccoon in an orange knit hat sitting among orange and green pumpkins and autumn leaves

A raccoon in an orange knit hat sitting among orange and green pumpkins and fallen leaves.

Good for: a door or mantel hoop from September to Thanksgiving

Difficulty
Intermediate
Stitches
3,367 (80 x 71)
Finished size (14-count)
5.7" x 5.1"
Colors
22 DMC
Stitching time
34–56 hours
Fabric to cut
12" x 12"

What we like

  • 3,367 stitches: a few weeks of evenings.
  • Pumpkins without anything spooky.

Keep in mind

  • 22 colors in a small design.
  • 12 colors are used for fewer than 60 stitches each.

Stitching tip: Finish the raccoon's three grays in one sitting; they're close in tone.

Which one should you stitch?

What you need

Questions

Are these patterns really free? Yes. Open a pattern, click “Get the Pattern”, and the PDF downloads. No account or email is needed.

How long do these take? At 60 to 100 stitches an hour, the Mouse takes about 32 to 53 hours and the Bear Cub about 50 to 80. The big scenes (over 18,000 stitches) take 180 hours or more, so start them a few months before you want them on the wall. Read how to plan a large cross stitch project first.

Do you have pumpkin or Thanksgiving patterns? There is no Thanksgiving pattern. The Red Panda has small pumpkins around it, and The Pumpkin King Portrait is a pumpkin-headed Halloween design that also works for fall.

What fabric do I need? 14-count white Aida. The cross stitch fabric guide shows how much to cut.

Want more? See all animal patterns. Compare all the foxes in the fox patterns guide, or move on to October with the witchy patterns. For December to February, see the winter patterns.

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