Beginners guide to cross stitch
Want to know where to start with a new sewing hobby? Your first stop should be my beginners guide to cross stitch. I came to love cross stitch quite late. It is often a craft introduced to children as it is a quick and easy one to pick up.
Yet I only started it when I was in my late twenties. I was looking for something I could work on whilst watching the t.v and wanted something I could make for gifts. Since then I have stitched hundreds of patterns and designed many more. So how did I get started? If your keen to have a go here is my beginners guide to cross stitch.
What is the easiest cross stitch for beginners?
Cross stitch patterns that use only full crosses and no speciality stitches like French knots or backstitch are the easiest cross stitch patterns for beginners.
How do you start cross stitch?
How to start a cross stitch project
If you've never stitched before, then read through these simple instructions to help you stitch a cross stitch embroidery pattern
Materials
- 14 count white aida
- DMC embroidery threads -
Tools
- Pattern
- Embroidery needle
- Embroidery hoop
- Embroidery scissors
- Optional - a thimble
Instructions
- Start by printing off your pattern and checking it's dimensions
- Cut the fabric to larger than the pattern dimensions and your hoop size
- Fold the fabric into quarter to identify the centre
- fit in your hoop
- Tighten the hoop to secure the fabric
- Find the centre of your pattern and the centre of your fabric design
- Start stitching from the centre
- Cut a length of embroidery floss no longer than the length of your arm
- Separate it into one strand and keep the remaining five for later
- Double the thread and thread your needle
- Start stitching from the front of your fabric, leaving a loop to thread your needle through on the first stitch to secure. Tug so that it moves to the back.
- Work your stitches all the in same direction, the bottom of the cross should always be the same in every stitch.
- Work in either individual crosses or for longer areas of stitch work the bottom arm of the cross stitch in a row and then stitch back over the row to do the top arm of the cross.
- To finish, ensure the needle is on the back of the fabric. Thread it through the underside of a few stitches and then snip off the loose end.
What equipment do I need to start cross stitch?
You may find yourself swamped with equipment choices when browsing craft stores or flicking through a cross stitch magazine.
Yet for a real beginner you only need very few basic bits of equipment.
Floss
I would recommend that you buy a good brand of floss. Either DMC or Anchor. The colours are stronger and more vibrant and the floss is higher quality which means you will get less knots in it when sewing. I always sew with DMC and my patterns are made with their colours in mind, but your choice will be down to personal preference and the charts you pick.
Needle
Choose a cross stitch embroidery needle. It should have a blunt end and the needle should be the same dimension as the holes in your fabric. If you are stitching on 14 count you will need a size 24 needle
Fabric
To start cross stitching choose 14 count aida. This fabric has a regular weave and holes which you can clearly see. 14 count means there are 14 holes per inch. Most patterns in magazines use this fabric.
Scissors
Choose a pair that are small and sharp for cutting the threads off neatly near the fabric.
For beginners choose a chart that uses only full count stitches (whole x’s) and avoid any with back stitch or half stitches. There are a great range of magazines out there full of patterns. But before you spend any money I would recommend you try one of my free patterns to see how you like it.
This small heart pattern and this rainbow pattern are great ones to start with.
I love cross-stitch! Thank you for sharing your tips (and motivating me to pick up my needles again) with #Blogstravaganza 🙂
January is a great month for crafting, I do hope you start stitching again soon 🙂
The last time I did cross-stitch was in school! But I remember enjoying it. This is a lovely detailed post for those who want to learn. Sharing x
#blogstravaganza
Thanks so much. Yes it’s a great craft for children and adults to learn.
This post is perfect for me. I love to see other people’s work but I wouldn’t know where to start myself. I’ll be pinning this for reference! Thanks so much for sharing with #Blogstravaganza xx
My pleasure
I love cross stitch but just don’t have time for it at the minute!
The good thing about this craft is you can leave it and pick it back up again, when you have time.
I used to cross-stitch as a teenager but it was a pre-made pattern package that came with every thing I needed. I believe the last one I made was a unicorn:) #ablogginggoodtime
This is the way I started too! Then I couldn’t find just what I was looking for so I started to design my own.
I’ve been so jealous of all of my friends who give such unique gifts at events and it always looked so complicated, but with it this simplified, I may be able to try it out!
#StayClassyMama
I do hope you do!
I learn to cross stitch with my grandmother when I was a young girl and used to love it. I really should try it again. Thank you for linking with #StayClassymama
My pleasure
I used to do those sewing kits for kids cross stitch when I was little and I loved them. I’ve not done any as a grown up but I think it looks really cool. I do knit and crochet but I’ve always fancied cross stitch, I might try and give it a go.
#MakeItLinky
This is SO helpful! Thank you. I am definitely going to give cross stitch a go now! #MakeItLinky
Glad you like it.
A brilliant beginners guide. My grandma taught me how to cross-stitch and I have always found it to be a relaxing and enjoyable craft. It is definitely something that everyone should try so it is a great idea to provide a guide to get people started. #MakeItLinky
Thank you. I agree it is a great stress reliever.
I have a long term project and as a beginner I am actually doing quite well but this has motivated me to do more o a regular basis.
The orange butterfly.
i love the great britain cross stitch x
Cross stitch pattern, Cartoon, Spider, Halloween, is a favourite of mine
The Great Britain Cross stitch pattern is fun and that bit more detailed which I like
Hello, my favourite pattern from your etsy shop is your ‘Great Britain Cross stitch pattern’ as it is a clever design.
I really like the look of the photo cross stitch
I love your Country Hedgehog, he’s really sweet
I love the country hedgehog so cute and I love hedgehogs x
Love the ship!
Like the Blue Butterfly X
I like the green dinosaurs
Mine is the Great Britain Cross stitch pattern / union jack British Isles / counted cross stitch chart.
I like the country hedgehog, cross stitch pattern.
Cross stitch pattern, Moroccan style, large pinks and yellow flower design
Do you have a Christmas tree cross stitch pattern? Or other Christmas patterns?
Yes, check out the Christmas section https://craftwithcartwright.co.uk/cross-stitch-patterns/