Free Witchy Cross Stitch Patterns: Black Cats & Cauldrons

By The Editorial TeamUpdated 4 min read
Three witchy Halloween cross-stitch patterns: a black kitten carrying jack-o'-lanterns, a fluffy kitten in a witch hat beside a skull, and an old witch holding a goblin over her cauldron

Here are 5 free witchy cross stitch patterns, compared side by side: black cats, a pumpkin-headed gentleman, a witch kitten and a witch with her cauldron. They are a little spooky but not scary. The quickest one takes about 63 hours to stitch; the biggest takes several months. 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 for beginners

Cross-stitch pattern of a pumpkin-headed gentleman with a glowing jack-o'-lantern face and black suit, inside an orange oval portrait framePumpkin King Portrait

Beginner · 6.0" x 8.1" · 63–105 hours

Get the free PDFWhy we picked it

Best for a front door

Cross-stitch pattern of a black kitten in a purple witch hat carrying a stack of three smiling jack-o'-lanterns spilling candy cornBlack Kitten with Jack-o'-Lanterns

Intermediate · 10.1" x 10.8" · 95–159 hours

Get the free PDFWhy we picked it

Best big project

Cross-stitch pattern of a fluffy blue-eyed kitten in a black witch hat and red bow, flashing a peace sign beside a skull, small pumpkins and a stack of old books on a stone ledgeWitch Kitten with Skull and Pumpkins

Advanced · 18.3" x 17.0" · 373–622 hours

Get the free PDFWhy we picked it

Compare the patterns

Free Witchy Cross Stitch Patterns: Black Cats & Cauldrons: difficulty, size, colors and stitching time of each pattern
PatternBest forDifficultySize (14-count)ColorsStitching timeDownload
Pumpkin King PortraitBest for beginnersBeginner6.0" x 8.1"763–105 hoursFree PDF
Black Kitten with Jack-o'-LanternsBest for a front doorIntermediate10.1" x 10.8"1495–159 hoursFree PDF
Witch Cat on a BroomstickBest matching pairIntermediate11.3" x 12.9"16129–215 hoursFree PDF
Witch at Her CauldronBest all-year decorationAdvanced15.7" x 17.2"22264–440 hoursFree PDF
Witch Kitten with Skull and PumpkinsBest big projectAdvanced18.3" x 17.0"22373–622 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 for beginners

Pumpkin King Portrait

Cross-stitch pattern of a pumpkin-headed gentleman with a glowing jack-o'-lantern face and black suit, inside an orange oval portrait frame

A man in a black suit with a jack-o'-lantern for a head, in an orange oval frame like an old family photo.

Good for: a first Halloween project, or a gallery wall of old-style frames

Difficulty
Beginner
Stitches
6,273 (84 x 113)
Finished size (14-count)
6.0" x 8.1"
Colors
7 DMC
Stitching time
63–105 hours
Fabric to cut
12" x 15"

What we like

  • Rated Beginner, with only 7 colors.
  • One color covers more than half of the design, so there are few thread changes.

Keep in mind

  • 6,273 stitches is a lot for a first project: 63 to 105 hours.

Stitching tip: Stitch the yellow eyes and mouth first, then fill the orange around them. It's easier than leaving gaps the right shape.

Best for a front door

Black Kitten with Jack-o'-Lanterns

Cross-stitch pattern of a black kitten in a purple witch hat carrying a stack of three smiling jack-o'-lanterns spilling candy corn

A black kitten in a purple witch hat, running with three pumpkins stacked on its head and candy corn falling off the top.

Good for: a front door or mantel; the bright orange is easy to see from across a room

Difficulty
Intermediate
Stitches
9,534 (141 x 151)
Finished size (14-count)
10.1" x 10.8"
Colors
14 DMC
Stitching time
95–159 hours
Fabric to cut
17" x 17"

What we like

  • Bright orange that stands out from across a room.
  • 14 colors, and only 4 are used for fewer than 60 stitches.

Keep in mind

  • 9,534 stitches.
  • The candy corn is spread all over, so you start and stop that thread often.

Stitching tip: Finish your thread after each piece of candy corn instead of carrying it across the back, or it will show through the white fabric.

Best matching pair

Witch Cat on a Broomstick

Cross-stitch pattern of a black kitten wearing a purple witch hat, flying on a broomstick while carrying an open spellbook

A black kitten in a purple hat, flying on a broomstick and holding papers sealed with purple wax.

Good for: a cat lover; hang it next to the Black Kitten as a set

Difficulty
Intermediate
Stitches
12,912 (158 x 180)
Finished size (14-count)
11.3" x 12.9"
Colors
16 DMC
Stitching time
129–215 hours
Fabric to cut
18" x 19"

What we like

  • Same hat and style as the Black Kitten, so the two hang well together.
  • 16 colors, with only 4 used for fewer than 60 stitches.

Keep in mind

  • Most of the design is two very dark colors that are hard to tell apart.
  • Needs an 18" x 19" piece of fabric.

Stitching tip: Most of the design is two very dark colors, DMC 924 and 310. Stitch in bright light and check the symbol every time you change thread.

Best all-year decoration

Witch at Her Cauldron

Cross-stitch pattern of a grinning old witch in a green robe and patterned headscarf holding a squirming green goblin above a bubbling golden cauldron

An old witch in a green robe and patchwork headscarf, laughing and holding a small goblin over her bubbling cauldron.

Good for: a kitchen wall all year, or a gift for someone who cooks

Difficulty
Advanced
Stitches
26,423 (220 x 241)
Finished size (14-count)
15.7" x 17.2"
Colors
22 DMC
Stitching time
264–440 hours
Fabric to cut
22" x 24"

What we like

  • A cartoon, so it looks funny, not scary.
  • Only 2 of its 22 colors are used for fewer than 60 stitches.

Keep in mind

  • Rated Advanced, with 26,423 stitches.
  • Needs a 22" x 24" piece of fabric and a scroll frame.

Stitching tip: The outline color, DMC 939 (very dark navy), is the most-used color. Buy all of it at once so the shade stays the same.

Best big project

Witch Kitten with Skull and Pumpkins

Cross-stitch pattern of a fluffy blue-eyed kitten in a black witch hat and red bow, flashing a peace sign beside a skull, small pumpkins and a stack of old books on a stone ledge

A fluffy cream kitten in a black witch hat and red bow, blowing a kiss next to a skull, two pumpkins and old books.

Good for: an experienced stitcher who wants one big project for the year

Difficulty
Advanced
Stitches
37,299 (256 x 238)
Finished size (14-count)
18.3" x 17.0"
Colors
22 DMC
Stitching time
373–622 hours
Fabric to cut
25" x 23"

What we like

  • The most detailed of the five: 37,299 stitches.
  • A large Halloween centerpiece that fills a wall.

Keep in mind

  • 373 to 622 hours: a project of many months.
  • Needs a 25" x 23" piece of fabric.

Stitching tip: Use a scroll frame, not a hoop. A hoop this big would crush the stitches you've already done.

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.

I’ve never stitched before. Can I start with one of these? Start with The Pumpkin King Portrait; it’s rated Beginner. Read how to cross stitch for beginners first. For the two big patterns, read how to plan a large cross stitch project before you buy fabric.

Want something less spooky? See the cute patterns or all Halloween patterns.

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