Free Fox Cross Stitch Patterns, Compared by Size and Time

By The Editorial TeamUpdated 5 min read
Three fox cross-stitch patterns side by side: a red fox curled asleep in a ring of autumn leaves, a red fox in a green scarf holding a maple leaf, and a goggle-wearing fox explorer in a green coat

Here are 7 free fox cross stitch patterns, compared side by side. They differ a lot in shape and size: one is tall and narrow, one is round, one is wide, one is a small fox with a mouse friend, and the biggest has over 25,000 stitches. Use the top picks and the table to choose the one that fits your wall and your time. Each pattern is a free PDF with the chart and the thread list.

Our top picks

Best first fox

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 for a kids' room

Cross-stitch pattern of a red fox in a green sweater lying on its stomach drawing with a teal crayon on a sheet of paperLittle Fox Drawing with a Crayon

Intermediate · 14.0" x 9.1" · 137–228 hours

Get the free PDFWhy we picked it

Best big project

Cross-stitch pattern of a fox wearing round steampunk goggles and a green traveler's coat, with an ornate Celtic-knot patterned maneRowan the Celtic Explorer Fox

Advanced · 16.0" x 17.1" · 257–428 hours

Get the free PDFWhy we picked it

Compare the patterns

Free Fox Cross Stitch Patterns, Compared by Size and Time: difficulty, size, colors and stitching time of each pattern
PatternBest forDifficultySize (14-count)ColorsStitching timeDownload
Red Fox Holding a Maple LeafBest first foxIntermediate9.2" x 11.9"13118–196 hoursFree PDF
Baby Fox in a Winter BeanieBest winter foxIntermediate12.4" x 12.4"25124–207 hoursFree PDF
Little Fox Drawing with a CrayonBest for a kids' roomIntermediate14.0" x 9.1"15137–228 hoursFree PDF
Red Fox Peeking Around a DoorBest for a narrow wallIntermediate8.3" x 13.5"15137–229 hoursFree PDF
Red Fox Curled in Autumn LeavesBest round designAdvanced12.6" x 11.4"23189–314 hoursFree PDF
Rowan the Celtic Explorer FoxBest big projectAdvanced16.0" x 17.1"21257–428 hoursFree PDF
Baby Fox and Mouse FriendBest small foxIntermediate5.5" x 4.9"2334–56 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 first fox

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, with a bag at its side.

Good for: your first fox

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 fewest colors (13) of the seven, and the fewest stitches (11,787) of the big foxes.
  • Only 2 colors are used for fewer than 60 stitches.

Keep in mind

  • Rated Intermediate, not Beginner.
  • The leaf's oranges are close to the fur's.

Stitching tip: The leaf and the fur share an orange. Keep the leaf's two oranges (DMC 728 and 3853) on opposite sides of your floss card.

Best winter fox

Baby Fox in a Winter Beanie

Cross-stitch pattern of a baby fox wearing a knit winter beanie, perched on a snowy pine branch

A baby fox in a big striped beanie, sitting on a snowy pine branch.

Good for: a winter display, from December to February

Difficulty
Intermediate
Stitches
12,422 (173 x 174)
Finished size (14-count)
12.4" x 12.4"
Colors
25 DMC
Stitching time
124–207 hours
Fabric to cut
19" x 19"

What we like

  • The only fox here with a winter theme.
  • A square shape (12.4" x 12.4") that suits a square frame.

Keep in mind

  • 25 colors, the most of the seven.
  • 10 colors are used for fewer than 60 stitches.

Stitching tip: Sort the 10 small colors onto a separate floss card so they're easy to find.

Best for a kids' room

Little Fox Drawing with a Crayon

Cross-stitch pattern of a red fox in a green sweater lying on its stomach drawing with a teal crayon on a sheet of paper

A little fox in a green sweater, lying on its tummy and drawing with a crayon.

Good for: a kids' room, above a bed or a low bookcase

Difficulty
Intermediate
Stitches
13,674 (196 x 127)
Finished size (14-count)
14.0" x 9.1"
Colors
15 DMC
Stitching time
137–228 hours
Fabric to cut
20" x 16"

What we like

  • A wide shape (14.0" x 9.1") that fits above furniture.
  • 15 colors, and only 4 are used for fewer than 60 stitches.

Keep in mind

  • 13,674 stitches.
  • The fabric must be cut wide: 20" x 16".

Stitching tip: It's wider than it is tall. Check your fabric is cut the right way round before you start.

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

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, the narrowest of the big foxes.
  • 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 together so the color matches.

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 only round design of the seven.
  • Lots of leaf colors for a rich autumn look.

Keep in mind

  • Rated Advanced, with 23 colors.
  • One wrong count early on throws off the whole circle.

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

Best big project

Rowan the Celtic Explorer Fox

Cross-stitch pattern of a fox wearing round steampunk goggles and a green traveler's coat, with an ornate Celtic-knot patterned mane

A fox explorer in round goggles and a green coat, with a mane made of curling Celtic knots.

Good for: an experienced stitcher who wants a long project

Difficulty
Advanced
Stitches
25,666 (224 x 240)
Finished size (14-count)
16.0" x 17.1"
Colors
21 DMC
Stitching time
257–428 hours
Fabric to cut
22" x 24"

What we like

  • The most detailed fox: 25,666 stitches in 21 colors.
  • The Celtic knot mane looks different from any other fox here.

Keep in mind

  • 257 to 428 hours of stitching.
  • Needs a 22" x 24" piece of fabric and a scroll frame.

Stitching tip: Finish one curl of the mane before you start the next. Jumping around makes it easy to join two curls by mistake.

Best small fox

Baby Fox and Mouse Friend

Cross-stitch pattern of a smiling baby fox sitting on grass next to a small gray mouse holding an acorn, with blue bellflowers

A smiling baby fox sitting on the grass next to a small gray mouse holding an acorn.

Good for: a child's room or a friendship gift

Difficulty
Intermediate
Stitches
3,370 (77 x 69)
Finished size (14-count)
5.5" x 4.9"
Colors
23 DMC
Stitching time
34–56 hours
Fabric to cut
12" x 11"

What we like

  • 3,370 stitches, the fewest of the foxes.
  • Fits a 6-inch hoop.

Keep in mind

  • 23 colors in a small design.
  • The outline is navy, not black, which is easy to buy wrong.

Stitching tip: Stitch the mouse corner in one sitting; it uses several tiny amounts of thread.

Which fox should you stitch?

What you need

Questions

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

Is there an easy fox pattern for beginners? No. All seven are Intermediate or Advanced. Start with an easy design from the beginner patterns, then try the Red Fox Holding a Maple Leaf.

Is there a baby fox pattern? Yes: the Baby Fox in a Winter Beanie. The Little Fox Drawing with a Crayon is also a young fox and suits a child’s room.

How do I plan a big fox like Rowan? Read how to plan a large cross stitch project before you buy fabric and thread.

Want more? See the fall patterns, all animal patterns, or how to frame and finish cross stitch.

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