Two tortoises facing a leafy sprig, sampler motif cross stitch pattern

69 × 21 stitches 3 colors 4.9 × 1.5 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 11 × 8 in (the design is 4.9 × 1.5 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 869 Very Dark Hazelnut Brown
DMC 3362 Dark Pine Green
DMC 3829 Very Dark Old Gold

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

Two brown tortoises face each other across a leafy green sprig, worked like a band on an old sampler. Each has a high domed shell set with five gold plates, a head held up with one gold eye, two short thick legs and a pointed tail. The sprig stands on a little mound between them. Flat color with no outline, and the left side mirrors the right exactly. Full crosses only. It is 69 by 21 stitches and uses three thread colors.

69 stitches wide by 21 high: 433 full cross stitches in 3 DMC colors (Very Dark Hazelnut Brown 869, Dark Pine Green 3362, Very Dark Old Gold 3829).

Finished size by fabric count
Fabric	Inches	Centimeters
11-count Aida	6.3 × 1.9	15.9 × 4.8
14-count Aida, or 28-count over two	4.9 × 1.5	12.5 × 3.8
16-count Aida, or 32-count over two	4.3 × 1.3	11.0 × 3.3
18-count Aida	3.8 × 1.2	9.7 × 3.0
22-count Hardanger	3.1 × 1.0	8.0 × 2.4

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 869 Very Dark Hazelnut Brown	270	Find it
X	DMC 3362 Dark Pine Green	101	Find it
▲	DMC 3829 Very Dark Old Gold	62	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.