Winter Bullfinch Cross Stitch Project — 18-Count Version

This is a detailed, painterly-style winter bird design based on your finished piece: a Eurasian bullfinch with a glossy black cap, vivid orange-red breast that fades toward the lower belly, gray-and-black wings, and a dark tail, perched on a snow-dusted branch against a soft, misty gray-beige background.

Fabric & Size (18-count)

• Recommended fabric: 18-count Aida (Zweigart or equivalent) in Antique White, Light Mocha, or very pale gray. These colors let the background shading blend naturally.
• Suggested stitch count: 126 wide × 140 high (good match for the proportions and level of detail in your photo).
• Finished design size on 18-count: 7" × 7¾" (17.8 × 19.7 cm).
• Fabric cut size: At least 12" × 13" (30.5 × 33 cm) to give 2½–3" margins on all sides for framing.

On 18-count you get a slightly more refined, compact look than on 14-count while still showing good texture.

Materials

• DMC 6-strand cotton floss (use 2 strands throughout for good coverage on 18-count).
• Size 26 or 28 tapestry needle.
• Embroidery hoop, Q-snap, or scroll frame.
• Optional: laying tool for even stitches.

Stitching Notes

• Work mostly in full cross stitches. Use a few ¾ stitches along the bird’s outline and the branch edges for a smoother, less “blocky” look.
• The speckled, snowy texture comes from mixing very light stitches (Blanc/B5200 and 762) among the darker background and branch colors.
• Start in the center of the bird’s body or work in sections (body first, then wings/tail, then branch and background).
• Keep tension even so the fabric texture remains visible — this helps the piece look like your original finished work.
• Skill level: Intermediate because of the close color values and blending.

Finishing

Wash gently in lukewarm water with mild soap, rinse well, and press face-down on a towel. Frame in a dark wood frame with a cream or off-white mat (exactly as in the room scene we created earlier). The dark frame makes the orange breast pop beautifully against the winter background.

This 18-count version will give you a refined, display-ready piece around 7–8 inches that sits nicely on a wall near bookshelves and a lamp. Happy stitching!