To access these free cross-stitch alphabet books, you have to set up a free account on the Internet Archive.
Are these cross-stitch books and patterns copyright-free?
Important: While the books and scans have been made available for free, that does not mean that the works are copyright-free. In most cases, you cannot transfer the cross-stitch alphabet into your program and export as a PDF that you will sell. Please research the work: check the Internet Archive’s page for mentions of copyright (some have a line with the words “Usage” and search on different websites to get a clear confirmation that the copyright is either expired or the author weaved their copyright (and the work entered the public domain). Some digitalised assets link to museum catalogues that have information about copyright.
I am sharing these cross-stitch alphabets as resources primarily for personal use. I am not responsible if you choose to repurpose the patterns for commercial use.
Different cross-stitch alphabets by N Alexandre and C Paris (1800)
What’s inside: large decorative cross-stitch alphabets.
97 needlepoint alphabets by B. Borssuck (1975)
What’s inside: as it says on the cover – a collection of various 97 cross-stitch alphabets! The last time I tried to buy this book, the cheapest option was 70 EUR used via Amazon. It goes for over 200 EUR on Amazon, eBay, and other platforms.
Cross stitch alphabets – an indispensable collection of 50 themed A-Zs (2003)
What’s inside: A collection of cross-stitch alphabets – you will get cottagecore cross-stitch letters, floral cross-stitch alphabets, but also Art Deco, Elizabethan, Celtic, Native American, Victorian, Delft blue china cross-stitch alphebet; an absolutely gorgeous oriental cross-stitch alphabet. There are also nursery cross-stitch letters with teddies, dinos, spaceships and so on.
Letters and numbers for needlepoint by Elinor Milnor Parker (1978)
What’s inside: Classic cross-stitch alphabets. I like this book a lot because it has a lot of smaller cross-stitch letterings that go well with elaborate cross-stitch designs.
Needlepoint letters and numbers by Carol Cheney Rome (1976)
What’s inside: Classic cross-stitch alphabets that are easy to stitch but also some with more challenging combinations of full and half stitches as well as backstitch. There are also specialised alphabets: the Chinese and Hebrew cross-stitch alphabets, the International Morse code, and the Greek alphabet.
Cats: a cross stitch alphabet by Julie Hasler (1993)
What’s inside: pretty much what the cover says. A beautiful collection of cat-themed cross-stitch letters. These are more classic and elegant. For funky and colourful cat-themed cross-stitch alphabets check out “Cross stitch alphabets – an indispensable collection of 50 themed A-Zs” (scroll up) or
Decorative cross-stitch alphabets by Sterling Publishing (2001)
What’s inside: very creative and colourful cross-stitch alphabets including kitten, music, flowers, and occasion cross-stitch alphabets (Christmas, Easter). You can find the Coats of Arms cross-stitch letters or the American flag cross-stitch alphabet in this book.
365 alphabets: cross stitch all through the year by the Kooler Design Studio and the American School of Needlework (1997)
What’s inside: this is a huuuuge collection of cross-stitch alphabets!
Alphabets & samplers: 40 cross stitch and charted designs by Brenda Keyes (1993)
What’s inside: if you want some classic cross-stitch alphabets, this book is a good choice. Gaelic, Welsh, and Assisi alphabet charts, as well as Victorian and Gothic alphabets, are included in this publication.
Cross-stitcher’s big book of alphabets & borders (1994)
What’s inside: beautiful elegant cross-stitch alphabets.
Alphabet collection: 9 alphabets for personalized designs (2013)
What’s inside: a selection of nine colourful cross-stitch alphabets, similar in style to what you will find in the Cross stitch alphabets – an indispensable collection of 50 themed A-Zs (2003) book (scroll up).
The Ultimate Flower Alphabet Book by the American School of Needlework (1994)
What’s inside: a selection of floral free cross-stitch alphabets by the famous American School of Needlework.
A to Z cross-stitch samplers: the Vanessa-Ann collection (1989)
What’s inside: a collection of cross-stitch samplers and alphabets that match the style of traditional cross-stitch samplers.
