About This God With Us Nativity Cross Stitch Pattern
This charming nativity cross stitch pattern brings the Christmas story to life in a compact 34 by 40 stitch design that works beautifully as an ornament or small framed piece. The simple yet elegant composition features the Holy Family sheltered in a stable with the radiant Star of Bethlehem shining above, all stitched on dramatic black Aida fabric that makes the colors truly pop. The pattern includes a special touch with a Swarovski crystal placement option for added sparkle.
Designed to be stitched two over one on sixteen count black Aida, this pattern creates a finished piece measuring approximately 2.2 by 2.5 inches, making it perfect for a three-inch wooden hoop finish. The chart uses nine DMC floss colors to create depth and dimension in this timeless religious scene.
Why You'll Love This God With Us Nativity Cross Stitch Pattern
I absolutely love how this pattern captures the reverence and beauty of the nativity scene in such a small format, making it achievable even when holiday time is limited. The contrast of the vibrant thread colors against the black fabric creates a stunning stained-glass window effect that feels both traditional and contemporary. I'm particularly drawn to how the addition of a single Swarovski crystal transforms the Star of Bethlehem into something truly magical. This is the kind of project that becomes a treasured family heirloom, pulled out year after year to remind us of the hope and joy at the heart of Christmas. Whether you're stitching for yourself or creating gifts for loved ones, each completed ornament carries a meaningful message that transcends the hours spent creating it.
Switch Things Up
I love how versatile this little nativity design can be with just a few creative modifications. First, consider changing the background fabric color entirely—imagine this scene stitched on deep midnight blue Aida to represent the night sky, or on cream fabric for a softer, vintage-inspired look. You could also experiment with metallics by substituting the gold thread with metallic gold floss to make that Star of Bethlehem truly shine.
Another fun variation is to add a simple backstitched border around the entire design, perhaps in gold or brown, to frame the scene before mounting it in the hoop. If you're feeling adventurous, you could scale up the pattern by stitching it on a larger count fabric or even duplicate it across fabric to create matching ornaments for your entire family.
For a completely different aesthetic, try stitching it in monochromatic shades of blue and white for an elegant Scandinavian-inspired ornament, or go bold with jewel tones for a rich, Byzantine icon appearance. You could also personalize each ornament by adding a tiny date or initial in backstitch along the bottom edge. The finishing options are endless too—instead of a wooden hoop, mount it in a small frame, turn it into a gift tag, or even create a larger piece by surrounding this central design with a decorative border of your own creation. The beauty of this pattern is that its simple structure provides the perfect foundation for your own creative interpretations!
Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them
✗ Miscounting stitches on the dark fabric—use a highlighter or magnifier to mark your place on the chart clearly
✗ Starting without centering the design properly on the fabric, which can throw off the entire composition for ornament finishing
✗ Pulling stitches too tightly on black Aida, which can cause the fabric to pucker and distort the final shape
✗ Forgetting to separate embroidery floss strands before stitching, resulting in uneven coverage and a less polished appearance
