DNA strand double helix with colored base pairs cross stitch pattern

18 × 60 stitches 6 colors 1.3 × 4.3 in on 14-count

A PDF for 14-count on US Letter paper: overview, symbol charts and thread list. Change the count or paper

You will need

Fabric: 14-count Aida, cut 8 × 11 in (the design is 1.3 × 4.3 in; 14-count has 14 squares to the inch)
Needle: Tapestry, size 24
Thread: 6 DMC colors, 2 strands at a time (DMC is the thread maker whose color numbers charts use)

Your thread palette: 6 threads ↓

DMC 311 Medium Navy Blue
DMC 322 Dark Baby Blue
DMC 553 Violet
DMC 989 Forest Green
DMC 321 Red
DMC 783 Medium Topaz

Want to make it yours? opens this chart in the pattern maker, where every stitch can be changed too. Or download it just as it is.

Fabric count and finished sizeCount is the number of squares per inch. Higher count makes the same design smaller; the stitches and thread colors stay the same. Sizes shown are the stitched area; allow extra fabric for finishing.

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About this pattern

A DNA double helix standing upright like a twisted ladder, one and a half turns of it: two blue strands, one navy and one lighter blue, winding round each other and crossing three times, with twelve level rungs between them. Each rung is two colors meeting in the middle, red with gold or green with purple. There is no outline thread and there are no letters. Full crosses only. It is 18 by 60 stitches and uses six thread colors.

18 stitches wide by 60 high: 468 full cross stitches in 6 DMC colors (Medium Navy Blue 311, Dark Baby Blue 322, Violet 553 and 3 more).

Finished size by fabric count
Fabric	Inches	Centimeters
11-count Aida	1.6 × 5.5	4.2 × 13.9
14-count Aida, or 28-count over two	1.3 × 4.3	3.3 × 10.9
16-count Aida, or 32-count over two	1.1 × 3.8	2.9 × 9.5
18-count Aida	1.0 × 3.3	2.5 × 8.5
22-count Hardanger	0.8 × 2.7	2.1 × 6.9

Sizes are the stitched area. Add about 3 inches (7.5 cm) on every side when you cut your fabric.

The fabric color changes the preview only: every cross matches your chart.

Thread list & pattern notes

Check my threads and make a shopping list

“Find it” opens a search for that thread on Amazon, in a new tab. Floss Field is not affiliated with DMC or Amazon.

Symbol	Thread	Stitches	Buy
●	DMC 311 Medium Navy Blue	176	Find it
X	DMC 322 Dark Baby Blue	172	Find it
▲	DMC 553 Violet	30	Find it
+	DMC 989 Forest Green	30	Find it
■	DMC 321 Red	30	Find it
O	DMC 783 Medium Topaz	30	Find it

Suggested DMC colors. Screen colors are approximate. Previews show the exact chart.

Print the chart (opens the PDF in a new tab)

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New to cross stitch? How to cross stitch

Count is the number of squares to the inch: 14-count fabric has 14, and a higher count makes the same design smaller. DMC is the thread maker whose color numbers most charts use.