Cross-Stitch

Charts, patterns and everything needlepoint

Year of the Horse Cross Stitch Patterns

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The Lunar New Year begins on Feb. 17, 2026, and ushers in the year of the horse. To celebrate, let’s check out some year of the horse cross stitch patterns. 

This 2026 lunar new year cross stitch pattern from Ptashka Lo reminds me a bit of the Olympics, which is appropriate since the winter Olympics will be taking place during the Lunar New Year. The pattern is 96 by 59 stitches and uses three colors. You can choose different colors for the lettering or the horse and for the background as well. 

Poms and Knots has a pretty pink horse to celebrate the new year. This one includes lanterns and measures 93 by 90 stitches. It’s shown on 16 count fabric which makes the design 5.8 by 5.6 inches, or 14.8 by 14.3 cm. It can be done with two or three colors, and with or without metallic thread as you like. 

This year’s horse is actually the fire horse, so you can honor that, too, with this fire horse cross stitch pattern from Ansta Shops. The pattern uses 11 colors and is 175 by 140 stitches. That comes out to about 12.5 by 10 inches, or 31.8 by 25.4 cm on 14 count fabric. 

Make a horse from red flowers with this striking monochrome design from Stitch Heart UA. It calls for 4 colors and is 95 by 89 stitches, 0r about 6.8 by 6.4 inches/17.3 by 16.2 cm on 14 count fabric.

Use a single shade of red plus white to make Lady Stitchicorn‘s red horse design, which looks like a sketch more than a cross stitch pattern. At 51 by 42 stitches it measures 3.6 by 3.1 inches or a little more than 9 by 7.8 cm, when stitched up on 14 count fabric. The sample shown is 16 count fabric and in a 3-inch hoop. 

Another take on the floral horse comes from Stonelane 1827, which has this lovely single color project that measures 199 by 200 stitches. That comes out to about 14 inches square, or 35.5 cm. 

Or make this one from Care Cross Stitch, which uses the negative space to outline the horse. It uses 3 colors and comes out to about 8 inches/20.32 cm on 16 count fabric. 

I love the My Little Pony vibes of this one from Crossweb. It’s 70 by 70 stitches and uses 12 colors. On 14 count fabric it comes out to 5 inches/12.7 cm square. 

10 Crochet Blankets For Horse Lovers [Crochet]

5 Dream Horse Coloring Pages [Card Making]

6 Free Horse Coloring Pages [Card Making]

A dala horse for Christmas [Needle Work]

Dala Horse Ornament – DIY tutorial [Felting]

Have you read?

Backpack Cross Stitch Patterns

These backpack cross stitch patterns aren’t like the backpacks you would use for school, but they might inspire you to go on a different sort of adventure, and pack your sense of humor. 

When it comes to funny cross stitch, this Adventure Awaits rubber ducky cross stitch pattern from Relaxing Hobby Studio is super cute. It uses nine colors and measures 52 by 75 stitches, which comes out to about 3.8 by 5.4 inches, or 9.7 by 13.8 cm, on 14 count fabric. 

I also love this little pigeon adventurer from Happy Cross Stitchers. Actually, with hoodie and sneakers this pigeon does look like he’s ready for school! This one measures 88 by 138 stitches and uses 13 colors. On 14 count fabric it comes out to about 6.2 by 9.8 inches, or 15.97 by 25.04 cm.

This sleepy cat is ready for an adventure as soon as they wake up from their nap. This sweet design from MoonLit Patterns features a kitty curled up on a backpack and wearing a knight’s helmet. This project uses 19 colors and measures 130 by 130 stitches. That makes it about 9.3 inches square, or 23.6 cm, when stitched on 14 count fabric. 

Or stitch up this backpack filled with flowers from Owl and Thread. This looks like just the bag you’d want to have for a walk in the forest or a spring meadow. The design is 71 by 90 stitches and uses 32 colors. On 14 count fabric it comes out to about 5 by 6.4 inches, or 12.9 16.3 cm.

I also like this kind of watercolor look girl with a backpack pattern from StitchALong Studios. You can change the color of hair and clothes as you like. As shown it uses 20 colors and is 90 by 132 stitches. That’s 6.375 by 9.375 inches, or 16 by 24 cm, if you work on 14 count fabric. 

If you’re looking for a design with more of a fall or winter look, check out this girl with a backpack wearing a hat and coat from GlamourXStitch. At 150 by 150 stitches, this one uses 26 colors. It comes out to 10.71 inches, or 27.2 cm, on 14 count fabric.