Cross Stitch 101: Guide for Beginners (With Pictures)

So you're ready to start your amazing adventure as a cross stitcher? Welcome to the community, you'll love it here! Whether you’re completely new to the craft or just need a little guidance, this beginner’s guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get started.

Things you'll need (if you're starting with a kit, most items will be included): 

• a cross stitch pattern of your liking
• threads necessary to complete the pattern
• scissors
• embroidery Hoop or q-snaps (optional) 
• tapestry needle (size 24 or 26)
• AIDA fabric of your choice

1) Reading a Pattern

When reading a cross-stitch pattern, there are two key things to identify: colours and stitches

Colours

Colours in a pattern are usually identified by symbols. If you're using a kit, the threads should already be organized and labeled by symbol. However, if you're using a standalone pattern, you may need to match the symbols to their corresponding colours. Here's how to do it:

 Check the colour chart provided with your pattern. Example of a chart: 

Most patterns will reference DMC colour codes, but other brands might be used. You can find the code on the packaging of the thread itself.

First, confirm which brand of floss your pattern uses, then purchase the required colours from your local craft shop or online.

Tip: Once you have your threads, organize them by symbol to make stitching easier.

Types of Stitches and how they are represented on the pattern

Cross-stitch patterns are made up of a grid, where each square represents one square of the fabric. Here are the types of stitches you’ll encounter:

Cross Stitch: Each square on the grid with a symbol represents one full cross-stitch in that colour.

Backstitch: Used to outline elements of your design, typically stitched with one or two strands. Backstitches appear as continuous lines on a pattern.

Note: Some patterns will indicate where to "cut" backstitches into segments, while others leave it up to your preference.

French Knots: French knots are usually represented as black circles at the intersections of four squares.

2) Starting Your Project

Calculating Fabric Size (Skip this if using a kit)

• Cross-stitch fabrics are labeled by their count, which refers to the number of stitches per inch (for instance, Aida 14-count means 14 stitches per inch).
• To calculate the size of fabric needed:
  • Divide the width and height of your pattern by the fabric count. For example:
    If your design is 234 stitches wide and 56 stitches high, and you're using 14-count Aida fabric:
    234 ÷ 14 = 16.7 inches wide and 56   ÷ 14 = 4 inches high
• Always add an extra 3-inch margin on each side for framing and errors.

Note: If you prefer using centimeters, convert your measurements accordingly.

Finding the Center of Your Canvas

To ensure your design is centered on the fabric, always start stitching from the middle.

How to find the center: Fold your canvas in half horizontally and then vertically. The point where the folds intersect is the center.

Determine the middle of your pattern by dividing the stitch count by two. Many patterns will have arrows on the sides indicating the center lines.

Preparing Your Thread

Most threads come as 6-strand floss, but you'll typically only use 2 strands for stitching (unless specified otherwise).

How to separate strands: Gently pull apart the number of strands needed.

3) Stitching

You have a few options for starting your stitches. Here, we'll focus on a beginner-friendly method:

Using a waste knot: This technique keeps your thread secure while you stitch. 

Other techniques: As you get further in your cross stitching journey, you might want to explore the loop start or buried thread methods for a flatter back.

Stitching Techniques

Now you’re ready to start stitching! Here’s a breakdown of how to do the most common types of stitches:

Basic Cross-Stitch:

Make small crosses, ensuring each stitch is consistent. You can stitch one cross at a time or use the two-pass method:

1. Stitch half-crosses in one direction.
2. Return in the opposite direction to complete the crosses.

Consistency Tip: Keep all your stitches uniform by always making your first diagonal in the same direction.

Back stitch:

Backstitching uses 1 or 2 strands of thread and is perfect for outlining your design. To backstitch:

1. Stitch your first section normally.
2. On the back of the canvas, skip ahead to where you want the next stitch to end, then bring the needle back to the end of the first section.
3. For the next stitch, come up at the end of your current section, and stitch back to the end of the next section.

Think of it as alternating between stitching forward and backward like a loop to connect each section smoothly, like this:

 

French Knots: Small knots that add texture and detail to your design. Watch this video on how to tie a french knot.

Finishing a Thread

When you reach the end of your thread or complete a section, secure it by running the tail under the back of your stitches—no knot required!

This technique helps keep the back of your project neat.

Extra tip 1: To prevent your thread from tangling, let your needle dangle every so often to unwind it.

Extra tip 2: If you notice a knot forming in your thread, don’t panic! Often, it’s just a loose loop. Gently pull on the loop until it pops free, then straighten the thread by pulling it gently from both ends.

You’re Ready to Stitch!

That's it, you’re all set to start your cross-stitch project! If you have any questions or run into trouble, leave a comment, and I’ll be happy to help.

Happy stitching!