Cross stitch looks complicated. It isn't. If you can make an X, you can cross stitch. This guide covers everything a complete beginner needs: supplies, how to start, basic technique, and finishing your first piece. ## What You Need ### Essential Supplies **Aida fabric** — The gridded fabric used for cross stitch. Beginners should use 14-count (14 stitches per inch). The holes are clearly visible and easy to count. **Embroidery floss** — DMC is the standard brand. Each colour has a number. You'll use 2 strands at a time (the thread comes as 6 strands twisted together — separate 2). **Tapestry needle** — Size 24 for 14-count Aida. Blunt tip so you don't split the fabric threads. **Embroidery hoop** — Optional but highly recommended. Keeps fabric taut and makes stitching easier. 6" is a good starting size. **Scissors** — Small, sharp embroidery scissors for cutting thread. **Pattern** — A chart showing where each stitch goes. Generate one free at [xstitchify.com/text](/text/) or [xstitchify.com/upload](/upload/). ### What About Kits? Beginner kits include everything: fabric, thread, needle, pattern, sometimes a hoop. Good for your first project. After that, buying supplies separately is cheaper and lets you choose your own projects. ## How to Start Cross Stitch ### Step 1: Prepare Your Fabric 1. **Cut to size** — Leave 3 inches of margin on all sides of your pattern area for framing later 2. **Find the centre** — Fold fabric in half both ways, mark the centre point with a pin 3. **Prevent fraying** — Either zigzag the edges with a sewing machine or apply masking tape 4. **Mount in hoop** — Place fabric over the inner hoop, push outer hoop over, tighten the screw ### Step 2: Prepare Your Thread 1. **Cut a length** — About 18 inches (arm's length). Longer tangles, shorter wastes time re-threading 2. **Separate strands** — Gently pull apart 2 strands from the 6-strand bundle 3. **Thread the needle** — If it's tricky, use a needle threader or fold the thread over the needle ### Step 3: Start Stitching **Where to begin:** Start near the centre of your design. This ensures it ends up centred on your fabric. **How to anchor (no knots!):** 1. Leave a 1-inch tail of thread at the back 2. Make your first few stitches, catching the tail under them 3. The tail is now secured and won't pull through **How to end:** 1. Turn fabric over 2. Weave needle under 4-5 existing stitches on the back 3. Clip the thread close ## How to Make a Cross Stitch Each X covers one square on the fabric. ### The Basic Stitch 1. **Come up** at bottom-left corner of the square (push needle from back to front) 2. **Go down** at top-right corner (front to back) 3. **Come up** at bottom-right corner 4. **Go down** at top-left corner That's one stitch: ⧵ then ⧸ = X ### The Row Method (Faster) When stitching multiple squares in a row: 1. Stitch all the bottom-left to top-right diagonals: ⧵⧵⧵⧵ 2. Come back, stitching all the top-left to bottom-right: ⧸⧸⧸⧸ This is faster and creates neater backs. ### Direction Matters **Always make your top stitch go the same direction.** Either all ⧸ on top, or all ⧵ on top — pick one and stick with it throughout the entire project. This makes the finished piece look consistent. ## Reading a Cross Stitch Pattern Patterns are grid charts where each square = one stitch. **Symbols:** Different symbols represent different thread colours. A key tells you which DMC number each symbol means. **Colours:** Some patterns show actual colours instead of symbols. Easier to read, harder to print in black and white. **Centre marks:** Lines or arrows indicating the centre of the design. Match these to your fabric centre. **Grid lines:** Every 10 squares gets a heavier line for easier counting. Our patterns at [xstitchify.com](/upload/) include: - Colour-coded grid - Symbol grid for printing - DMC colour key - Stitch count - Finished size ## Counting Tips Miscounting is the most common mistake. These help: **Use a ruler or sticky note** — Move it down the pattern as you progress, covering completed rows. **Count stitches, not holes** — The number of stitches = number of Xs, not the holes in the fabric. **Work from the centre** — Always count outward from a known reference point. **Grid your fabric** — Use a water-soluble pen to draw a grid every 10 squares matching the pattern's grid lines. Wash out when done. ## Common Beginner Mistakes ### 1. Knots Don't use them. They create bumps and can show through the fabric. Use the loop start or tuck-under method. ### 2. Thread Too Long Long thread tangles, frays, and knots. Arm's length maximum. ### 3. Tension Too Tight Don't pull stitches so tight they pucker the fabric. The X should lie flat. ### 4. Tension Too Loose Don't leave loops either. Consistent, gentle tension throughout. ### 5. Skipping Around Finish one area before jumping to another across the fabric. This keeps your back neater and uses less thread. ### 6. Wrong Count Fabric 14-count is beginner-friendly. Higher counts (18, 28) have smaller holes and require better eyesight. Don't start with linen. ## Finishing Your First Piece ### Washing If you handled the fabric a lot (you did), wash it: 1. Lukewarm water, drop of washing up liquid 2. Gently swish, no rubbing 3. Rinse thoroughly 4. Roll in clean towel to remove water 5. Lay flat to dry ### Ironing 1. Place face-down on a clean towel 2. Cover with a thin cloth 3. Iron on medium heat 4. The towel prevents flattening the stitches ### Framing Options: - **Embroidery hoop** — Clean, simple, modern - **Picture frame** — Professional look - **Pillow or ornament** — Functional finish For hoop framing: 1. Centre your work in the hoop 2. Tighten firmly 3. Trim excess fabric to 1" 4. Glue or stitch the fabric to itself at the back ## Your First Project Ideas ### Keep It Simple **Good first projects:** - A single letter or word - Small heart or star - Simple geometric pattern - 3-inch square design **Too ambitious for first project:** - Full-size sampler - Portrait from photo - Anything over 50 stitches in any direction ### Free Starter Pattern Generate your first pattern: 1. Go to [xstitchify.com/text](/text/) 2. Type "HI" or your initial 3. Select Block font (simplest) 4. Choose one colour 5. Download PDF This creates a tiny pattern perfect for learning. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How do I start a cross stitch pattern? Find the centre of your fabric and the centre of your pattern. Start stitching there, working outward. This ensures your design ends up centred. ### How do I count a cross stitch pattern? Each square on the pattern = one X stitch on your fabric. Count squares on the pattern, make the same number of stitches. Use grid lines every 10 squares to keep track. ### What size needle for 14-count Aida? Size 24 tapestry needle. It passes through the holes without splitting the fabric threads. ### How many strands of floss should I use? 2 strands for standard cross stitch on 14-count Aida. This gives good coverage without being bulky. ### Why is my cross stitch puckering? Thread tension is too tight. Pull stitches gently until the X lies flat against the fabric, no tighter. ### Can I create my own cross stitch pattern? Yes. Use a pattern generator — upload any image at [xstitchify.com/upload](/upload/) or create text at [xstitchify.com/text](/text/). The pattern downloads as a PDF with everything you need. ## Next Steps Once you've completed a simple first project: 1. **Try a longer quote** — Use the text generator 2. **Try an image** — Convert a photo with our pattern maker 3. **Experiment with colours** — Try rainbow mode 4. **Increase complexity** — More colours, larger designs ## Ready to Start? **[Create a Simple Text Pattern →](/text/)** Type a word, download the pattern, and start stitching today.