I had planned on doing a free Christmas pattern eventually, but Laura from Bugs and Fishes organized a Christmas link up that got my butt in gear! So here it is, before Thanksgiving even, so you have plenty of time to stitch it up before Christmas!

I couldn’t decide what I wanted to do for the link up project and kept changing my mind. Eventually I had a sketch book page full of various animals wearing Santa hats and various winter hats and scarves, and I knew I had my pattern.

Right now you’re just getting the raccoon (he’s new and improved from his first appearance as a button!) but eventually I plan on making a few more patterns.

I used plastic canvas for the first time and was pleasantly surprised. It sort of reminded me of working on the laser cut pendants. I like that the plastic canvas makes the ornament stiffer and I also didn’t have to worry about fabric edges fraying if I used Aida. His hat is a metallic Kreinik braid, but I don’t think my photos really capture it well. The red has a nice sparkle and the white is shiny enough to show up against the white of the canvas. If you are using regular thread, you might want to use a slightly off white color for the brim and ball of the hat so that you can see it better.

To attach the plastic canvas to the felt circle I used white thread and just made cross stitches along the edge. I originally had it in my head that I would whip stitch around the edges with a contrasting color, but the hole placement made that tricky. Instead I went for subtle and used the white because it blends in. For the ribbon I threaded it onto a big needle and just poked a hole right into the felt. I wasn’t positive it would work, but it did!

So here you go, my Christmas gift to you, a raccoon wearing a Santa hat. He doesn’t have to be an ornament, it would also be pretty cute as a Christmas card. I also debated working on Aida cloth and framing it in a hoop for the ornament. Use your imagination, and I’d love to see what you could up with! Send me an email with a picture – rebecca (at) hugsarefun.com or tag me in a photo on Instagram – @hugsarefun

Download the PDF here – Santa Raccoon
There are more free patterns to download here, and patterns to purchase here at my Etsy.