Make a pet cross-stitch ornament in time for Christmas
Plan a pet cross-stitch Christmas ornament: the right size on 14 or 18-count Aida, how long it takes, a week-by-week timeline and how to finish it.
By The Hoop & Paw team · Published · 2 min read
A small round ornament of your pet is one of the most rewarding Christmas projects — and one of the few you can still finish if you start in November.
The right size
Aim for 3 to 4 inches across. The sample above is a 46-stitch round portrait with a wreath and a name: about 4.4 × 5.1 inches on 14-count Aida, or 3.4 × 4.0 inches on 18-count. For a classic ornament, choose 18-count.
How long it takes
A small round portrait like this is roughly 15 to 25 hours of stitching. At four or five hours a week, that's about a month — start by mid-November.
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Mid-November | Make the pattern, buy floss and fabric, start in the center |
| Late November | Finish the portrait |
| Early December | Name and wreath (quick — few colors) |
| Mid-December | Wash, press and finish as an ornament |
Settings that help
- Shape: Circle (hoop).
- Size: 45 to 55 stitches.
- Colors: 12 to 16 — small portraits look clearer with fewer.
- Border: wreath for Christmas; add a short name.
Finishing as an ornament
Back it with stiff felt or card, glue a second felt circle behind it with a ribbon loop at the top, and finish the edge with twisted cord. Step-by-step instructions are on our pet ornament page.
Running late?
Make the pattern now and give a printed preview with a promise — or give a gift card to a stitcher so they can make their own in the new year.