Free Highland Cow Cross-Stitch Pattern with DMC Codes

Stitch a characterful Highland cow with sweeping horns and a warm shaggy coat. This free printable pattern includes a DMC palette, editable chart, and PDF export.

Chart generated by StitchBitz, licensed under the StitchBitz Generated Chart License.

Source photo by Trougnouf (Benoit Brummer), licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Customise the pattern

Turn any photo or picture into a cross stitch pattern.

StitchBitz is a free cross stitch pattern generator that converts your photo or image into an editable DMC chart. Your picture stays on your device—no sign-up required, with free PDF and JPG downloads.

Upload a photo or image to make a cross stitch pattern

100% free · PNG, JPG, HEIC

or drag a file anywhere

How it works

How to make a cross stitch pattern from a photo using StitchBitz

01

Upload

Convert a photo into a cross stitch pattern directly in the browser-based app. Your photos stay on your device.

02

Isolate

Use the AI background toggle to cut out messy backgrounds before the cross stitch chart is generated.

03

Tune

Adjust the DMC color palette, fabric size, and smart stitchability sliders to reduce confetti and keep the photo readable.

04

Export

Instantly download a high-res, print-ready PDF blueprint with the symbol chart, floss list, and project details.

Real examples

See a photo become a cross stitch pattern

StitchBitz turns the colours and shapes in a picture into a counted grid using real DMC floss shades. Open any example to inspect the chart, materials, and editable pattern.

Built for real projects

From picture to a chart you can actually stitch

A useful photo-to-cross-stitch pattern maker needs to do more than pixelate an image. It should simplify the picture, map it to real thread colours, and leave you in control of the final chart.

01

Real DMC floss colours

Every generated colour is matched to a DMC thread code, so the chart maps to floss you can actually buy and stitch with.

02

Cleaner, more stitchable charts

Stitchability controls smooth noisy areas and reduce isolated confetti stitches while keeping the subject recognisable.

03

Private browser processing

Your photo is processed on your device. It is not sent to StitchBitz or stored on a server.

04

Edit before you download

Adjust colours, remove stitches, add backstitch detail, and check the floss list before exporting a PDF or JPG.

Better source, better chart

What pictures work best for cross stitch?

You can turn any image into a cross stitch pattern, but a few simple choices make the finished chart cleaner and easier to recognise.

Choose one clear subject

Pets, portraits, flowers, ornaments, and simple objects usually translate more cleanly than a crowded scene.

Look for contrast

A well-lit subject that stands apart from its background is easier to simplify into distinct thread colours.

Crop before adding detail

Frame the part you care about first. A tighter crop gives the available stitches to the subject instead of empty space.

Good to know

Photo pattern maker questions

The short version: it is free, private, editable, and designed to produce the files you need to start stitching.

Is the cross stitch pattern generator really free?

Yes. You can convert a photo, edit the generated chart, and download the finished pattern as a PDF or JPG without paying or creating an account.

Does StitchBitz upload or store my photo?

No. Pattern generation and image processing run in your browser, so your photo stays on your device.

Which picture formats can I turn into a cross stitch pattern?

StitchBitz accepts JPG, PNG, HEIC, and WebP images. Clear, well-lit pictures with a distinct subject tend to produce the easiest patterns to stitch.

What is included in the downloaded pattern?

The printable PDF includes a symbol chart, DMC floss list, and project details. You can also download a high-resolution JPG chart.

Have your own photo?

Make it into a cross-stitch pattern

Upload a photo or picture, match it to real DMC floss colours, edit the chart, and download a printable pattern for free.

Learn how to choose a photo and pattern settings
Turn your photo into a free cross stitch pattern

What You'll Need

To stitch this design, you will need a piece of Aida fabric measuring at least 15×15 cm on 14-count Aida. The full DMC floss palette for this chart uses 15 colors:

  • DMC 3011
  • DMC 938
  • DMC 367
  • DMC 801
  • DMC 762
  • DMC 520
  • DMC 3787
  • DMC 3031
  • DMC 3022
  • DMC 936
  • DMC 3371
  • DMC 632
  • DMC 648
  • DMC 844
  • DMC 3772

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Highland cow pattern beginner-friendly?

The clear horn and head silhouette helps with placement, but the layered coat shading makes this a comfortable intermediate project on 14-count Aida.

Which DMC floss colors are used for the shaggy coat?

The palette combines russet, tan, dark brown, cream, and muted meadow shades. Refer to the generated key for the exact DMC codes and stitch counts.

Can I make the Highland cow chart smaller or simpler?

Yes. The editor lets you adjust colors and individual stitches before exporting, though reducing the size may soften the fine hair and facial detail.

83 × 83
Grid Size
15×15 cm on 14-count Aida
Fabric Size
intermediate
Difficulty

Choose how StitchBitz uses optional cookies

Necessary storage keeps the site working. Analytics helps us understand pattern generation and downloads. Marketing is kept off unless you opt in for future ads and affiliate tools.