Simple and sweet, this little sloth would be a great beginner pattern from the list!

Look at this sassy bird!! I love the color choices she made for the sample and this is just such a fun, tropical vibe.

My kids and I LOVE BUGS, so this pattern immediately drew me in! I'm linking the kit but you can also find a PDF pattern only in her shop.

The designer of the cockatoo pattern above also has a whole book about animal patterns!

A very cool, 3-D anatomy design showing the inside of the shark, in kit form.

Another book option, this is a more detailed process called thread painting! Geared at pet portraits, this is a thorough guide of a complicated method.

I love the little flowers inside 'Francine'! Such a whimsical design.

Designed by Mollie from Wild Olive, this is the best freebie - junk food + cats! Don't forget I have a whole post full of cat embroidery patterns, too.

This is SO pretty, with wildflowers, the moon, and a gorgeous owl on top of it all.

One of my favorite sampler patterns ever - it's a cute rainbow snail when you're done!

My kids are snake crazy and lit up when they saw this one over my shoulder - it's a beautiful snake with earthy little designs along its back.

Two of my favorite things - frogs AND fungi, this is an awesome design. Don't forget I have a whole post just for mushroom embroidery patterns too!

I'm a big fan of octopi and other ocean-dwelling critters, this would look great stitched on to a shirt.

Modern and cheery, the floral crown on this bunny is fabulous, they have several similar designs with different animals too.

A denser, folk style with different animal motifs inside, for the analog pattern lovers.

I can't get enough of these tiny dogs in their tiny sweaters! This pattern has such nice texture.

I'd love to see one of these in real life! This beautiful pattern will have to do for now, a fun way to try turkeywork stitches with the fuzzy effect.

A sweet little freebie, bookish bunny with a flower crown.

I'm always drawn to the linear designs; this one includes a lion and a bear.

Delicate and pretty, this llama pattern is striking because it's realistic and head-on I think!

A bunch of small animal patterns with a more modern style.