Few flowers say romance like a red rose, and this design gives you three of them. A classic scarlet rose sits at the top, a deep raspberry-pink rose opens on the right, and a glowing orange-red rose fills the lower half, all joined by thorny green stems, a tight rosebud and big serrated leaves.
The pattern is worked in 15 DMC colors on a 138 × 200 stitch grid, using full cross stitches only and no blended threads. Rich shading from garnet to coral gives each petal real depth, while the background stays as bare fabric. Below you’ll find the pattern facts, materials list, color key and all four free downloads: the color chart, the black & white chart, the one-page chart and the Pattern Keeper file.
In This Article
Difficulty: Intermediate
Fabric: Aida, 14–28 count
Stitch Count: 138 × 200 stitches
Finished Size: from 4.9″ × 7.1″ (28 ct) up to 9.9″ × 14.3″ (14 ct), see the full size table in the FAQ
Colors: 15 DMC thread colors (no blends)
Stitch Method: Full cross stitch, 2 strands
Estimated Time: roughly 50–85 hours, depending on your stitching pace
Pattern Preview
Here’s a look at the first chart page, showing the top scarlet rose and the first leaves below it. Each color has its own symbol, and the grid is marked every 10 stitches so it’s easy to keep your place.
Materials & Supplies
- This pattern download: Color Chart, Black & White Chart, One Page Chart and Pattern Keeper versions are all included
- Aida fabric, 14 to 28 count. Recommended colors: White, Antique White, Cream, Ivory, Light Beige, Soft Yellow, Natural, or Natural Linen-Look Aida
- DMC embroidery floss in 15 colors: 304, 321, 350, 581, 602, 606, 699, 701, 814, 816, 890, 891, 905, 946 and 947
- Tapestry needle, size 24–26
- Embroidery scissors
- Hoop, Q-snap or scroll frame (a tall rectangular frame suits the 138 × 200 shape well)
- Use 2 strands of thread for all cross stitching
Tips for This Pattern
Before you start stitching
- DMC 321 (Red) is the biggest color by far at 3,026 stitches. Buy two or three skeins up front so all three roses come from the same dye lot.
- The petals use several close reds side by side (304, 321, 816 and 814). Sort and label these threads before you begin, and stitch under daylight so you can tell them apart.
- Work one rose at a time. Finishing a whole flower before moving on keeps the shading consistent and makes steady progress easy to see.
- The leaves mix five greens (581, 699, 701, 890 and 905). Parking your threads, rather than stitching one color across the whole leaf, can speed up these busy areas.
- DMC 890 is used for only 142 stitches, mostly in leaf veins and shadows, so one skein is plenty.
- The background is left unstitched, so avoid long thread carries on the back between roses; dark reds can shadow through light Aida.
Color & Symbol Guide
Download the Pattern
Color Chart Pattern
Watch Ad to Unlock DownloadBlack & White Chart Pattern
Watch Ad to Unlock DownloadOne Page Pattern
Watch Ad to Unlock DownloadPattern Keeper App
Watch Ad to Unlock DownloadFAQ
What brand of thread does this pattern use?
This pattern is charted for DMC brand thread. All 15 colors are listed in the color key with their DMC numbers and names.
Does this pattern use any blended colors?
No. Every stitch uses a single DMC color with 2 strands, so there’s no need to combine two shades in the needle.
What fabric size should I use?
Finished size depends on the Aida count you choose. Add at least 3″ (7–8 cm) of margin on every side for framing:
| Aida Count | Finished Size |
|---|---|
| 14 ct | 9.9″ × 14.3″ / 25.1 × 36.3 cm |
| 16 ct | 8.6″ × 12.5″ / 21.9 × 31.8 cm |
| 18 ct | 7.7″ × 11.1″ / 19.5 × 28.2 cm |
| 20 ct | 6.9″ × 10.0″ / 17.5 × 25.4 cm |
| 22 ct | 6.3″ × 9.1″ / 15.9 × 23.1 cm |
| 25 ct | 5.5″ × 8.0″ / 14.0 × 20.3 cm |
| 28 ct | 4.9″ × 7.1″ / 12.5 × 18.1 cm |
Is this a full coverage design?
No. The background is left as bare fabric, so the roses and leaves stand out against it. That keeps the total at about 16,000 stitches, fewer than a full-coverage piece of the same size.
How long does this pattern take to complete?
Plan on roughly 50–85 hours. The roses have frequent color changes in their shading, so they take a little longer per stitch than the leaves and stems.
What’s the difference between the four downloads?
The Color Chart shows colored symbols across several pages, and the Black & White Chart is the printer-friendly symbol-only version. The One Page Pattern fits the whole design on a single sheet for a quick overview. The Pattern Keeper file is made for the Pattern Keeper app, so you can mark off stitches digitally on a tablet or phone.
Conclusion
These three red roses make a timeless piece for a bedroom wall, an anniversary gift or a Valentine’s Day project. With 15 DMC colors, whole stitches only and no blends, it’s a great way to practice shading while keeping the chart easy to follow.
Pick the chart version that suits you best, gather your reds and greens, and enjoy watching each rose bloom stitch by stitch. We’d love to see your progress if you share it!
