Gold Egyptian ankh, the key of life cross stitch pattern

35 × 52 stitches 3 colors 2.5 × 3.7 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 9 × 10 in (the design is 2.5 × 3.7 in; 14-count has 14 squares to the inch)
Needle: Tapestry, size 24
Thread: 3 DMC colors, 2 strands at a time (DMC is the thread maker whose color numbers charts use)

Your thread palette: 3 threads ↓

DMC 783 Medium Topaz
DMC 938 Ultra Dark Coffee Brown
DMC 3822 Light Straw

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.

Download free PDF

About this pattern

A gold ankh, the looped cross of ancient Egypt that is also called the key of life, standing upright. An open oval loop stands directly on a crossbar wider than the loop, over a long straight stem. One pale gold line of light runs round the loop, out along both arms and down the stem. Bare cloth shows through the loop. The two sides mirror exactly. Dark brown outline. Full crosses only. It is 35 by 52 stitches and uses three thread colors.

35 stitches wide by 52 high: 691 full cross stitches in 3 DMC colors (Medium Topaz 783, Ultra Dark Coffee Brown 938, Light Straw 3822).

Finished size by fabric count
Fabric	Inches	Centimeters
11-count Aida	3.2 × 4.7	8.1 × 12.0
14-count Aida, or 28-count over two	2.5 × 3.7	6.3 × 9.4
16-count Aida, or 32-count over two	2.2 × 3.3	5.6 × 8.3
18-count Aida	1.9 × 2.9	4.9 × 7.3
22-count Hardanger	1.6 × 2.4	4.0 × 6.0

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

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“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 783 Medium Topaz	388	Find it
X	DMC 938 Ultra Dark Coffee Brown	186	Find it
▲	DMC 3822 Light Straw	117	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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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.