I enjoy watching the change of season that appears on our back deck in the late summer. The sun sets earlier and earlier, and the evenings cool off just a bit a bit every night. The leaves and pine cones start to tumble out of the nearby trees and onto the deck. And sometimes when I’m very lucky — and very quiet — I catch a front-row seat to a critter showing off.
That is EXACTLY what happened to me this past week, and it’s the reason I chose this design as the newest member of my Whispers of Fall pattern series.
The Pine Cone Incident Of 2026
I was sitting out on the back deck enjoying a quiet afternoon when a squirrel hopped up onto our outdoor couch. He had a pine cone clutched in his little paws like he’d just found a treasure chest that needed opening. And what followed was a one of the most methodical procedures I’ve ever seen from one of the critters out back…and we do get a lot of critters back there.
He started taking that pine cone apart scale by scale, working his way around it from top to bottom like he was trying to defuse a bomb. I assume he was trying to harvest some seeds to hide for the winter. But scale after scale, he kept coming up empty. And the tiny pile of scales grew in the seat corner of the wicker couch as he sat on the back of it. I noticed his expression seemed to be changing. I know this may sound silly, but that squirrel started looking annoyed and disgusted. Stitchy friends, I have never seen ANYTHING like it. I didn’t know squirrels could look annoyed.
I couldn’t stop thinking about that little guy and his fruitless (or is that seed-less?) quest. I could totally relate to that feeling of putting time into something that just wasn’t going to happen feeling annoyed by the wasted effort. So when I sat down with my cross stitch pattern software and my vault of graphic design elements, I decided the squirrel’s chipmunk cousin deserved to have that same busy, treasure-hunting energy created in floss.
Meet the Pattern
This design is a full-coverage piece and has a different feel from most things I’ve charted this year. Rather than a simple portrait, the whole piece looks like it’s been painted directly onto a canvas — soft blending, rich textures, and a warm artistic quality that makes it feel more like a framed painting than a typical cross stitch pattern.
At the center of it all is an absolutely adorable chipmunk, cheeks probably filling up with delicious nuts and berries for the winter, nestled right into the heart of everything that autumn has to offer. Surrounding him is a gorgeous scattering of the season’s best treasures:
- Autumn leaves in various stages of turning color
- Plump orange pumpkins
- Pine cones (scattered generously, in honor of you-know-who)
- Wild berries tucked away here and there
- And a few nuts because someone in this design actually found their seeds
The whole piece is stitched in a rich palette of browns, oranges, and reds — warm, cozy colors that make you want to grab a blanket and a mug of something spiced.
Pattern Details
I wanted this one to feel accessible no matter your stitching background, so here is what you’ll find when you download it:
- Two sizes available: 300 x 300 stitches and 400 x 400 stitches, so you can pick whichever fits the detail level you like…or your patience level
- 69 DMC floss colors to capture all that painting-like depth and shading
- Large-print chart — because squinting at tiny symbols is nobody’s idea of a relaxing evening, and I want this to be easy on your eyes from the very first stitch to the last
Whether you are a longtime stitcher looking for a satisfying autumn project or someone newer who wants a beautiful piece and extra detail to challenge you, this pattern is designed to meet you where you are.
Grab Your Free Pattern
Ready to bring this little guy (and his much tidier approach to pine cones) to life in floss? You can download the free pattern(s) right here on the blog — just look for the download link(s) below.
I would love nothing more than to see your finished stitches, whichever size you choose. Tag your progress or finished piece so I can cheer you on along the way — watching this community’s projects come to life is honestly one of my favorite parts of doing this.
Want more cozy, free patterns like this one delivered straight to you?
This chipmunk is just the beginning of what’s blooming (or should I say falling) in the Whispers of Fall series. If you’d like a heads-up the moment new patterns drop, along with a peek behind the scenes at what I am charting next, join the newsletter! It’s the easiest way to make sure you never miss a free pattern release.
A little support goes a long way
If this pattern brightened your day, made you laugh at disgruntled woodland creatures, or gave you the fall project you didn’t know you needed — consider buying me a coffee on Ko-fi! Every bit helps me keep designing and sharing free patterns like this one, and it means more than you know.
Thanks so much for stopping by and stitching along with me this season. May your floss stay untangled, and your autumn be full of cozy little treasures of your own. Happy stitching!
