So, you have decided to take up a new hobby and settled on cross-stitching. But where do you begin? Don’t worry, I am here to help you learn how to start cross-stitching for the first time. Luckily, cross-stitching is one of the easiest forms of embroidery to learn. It has been around for a long time and involves a series of stitches in the shape of little X’s. Not only is it a satisfying activity, but it is also meditative and excellent for mental health.
Materials Needed
You don’t need to spend a lot of money in order to start cross-stitching. You can either purchase an all inclusive kit (I would recommend this for real beginners), or purchase some basic supplies and a pattern. The kits are usually not overly expensive and most include everything needed to complete them, with the exception of scissors. This is a great way to test the waters of cross stitching if you are not sure about it or you’ve never done any other kind of stitching before.
Whether you choose to start with a kit or purchase the pattern and materials, I highly recommend you start with a very small pattern designed for beginners. This increases the likely hood that you will have a successful first completion and that you will not struggle trying to add in specialty stitches which can be challenging as a beginner.
If you decide you want to purchase a beginner kit, there are lots to chose from like the “Happy Camper” by Dimensions. Or a quick search of either Amazon or Etsy will provide you with a load of beginner friendly kits with everything included.
If you want purchase the materials yourself you will need the following:
- Beginner friendly pattern
- Threads/Floss – DMC is the most commonly used brand and most patterns list the requirements on them.
- Material – Aida fabric is the most beginner friendly but you can chose to use any even weave like Linen as well. I would recommend starting out with 14 count Aida cloth and then experimenting with different counts and weaves in later projects.
- Needle – Blunt ended embroidery needles
- Scissors – embroidery scissors are wonderful to have but any sharp scissors will do for a first project.
Once you’ve gathered your materials or purchased your kit you are ready to enter the world of wonderful stitching relaxation. So grab a cup of tea or a glass of wine and find your comfy space to settle in and start cross-stitching for the first time!
Reading Your Pattern
A cross-stitch pattern is a grid that matches the grid formed by the weave of the fabric. That is why cross-stitch is generally done on specific fabric that has an even or open weave to it, such as aida or linen. Each square represents one full stitch formed in a cross. The symbols provided in the legend should match the ones in the chart and show you the colour of thread that should be used for each stitch.
If the pattern contains backstitch, this should also be indicated in the legend, usually with coloured lines. These should match the coloured lines used in the pattern and indicate which colour thread should be used for each stich of back stitch.
The thread count should be included in the chart as well. Each piece of thread or floss is made up of six thin individual strands and for cross-stitch these strands should be separated before stitching. The thread count indicates how many of these strands should be used. In general, 2 strands are used for regular stitches and 1 strand for back stitch. There are definitely cases where this varies and that should always be indicated on the chart.
Grid numbers are usually included on the chart in increments of 10 and offer a great guide to where you are and to help you keep track of counting your stitches.
When starting a pattern, it’s important to locate the center guides, which are usually in red and found at the top and left side of the pattern. These guides help indicate where the center vertical and horizontal lines are located. To ensure the best results, it’s recommended to start stitching from the center and working your way outward.
The image below outlines the main elements found in all counted cross stitch patterns.
Preparing Your Fabric before you start cross-stitching
Before you begin stitching a project, you should wash and iron your fabric. The exception to this rule is when you are using specialty fabric that has perhaps been hand dyed. In this case, washing should only be done according to the manufactures instructions.
Once your fabric has been washed and ironed flat, you need to locate the center. To locate the center of your fabric, you can fold it in half both vertically and horizontally and mark the middle with a pin. It’s best to start stitching with a fairly large chunk of one color that’s close to the middle of the chart.
Thread your needle
There are various types and sizes of needles to chose from when stitching. For cross-stitch, an embroidery needle with a blunt end is typically used. You can find these is any store that sells craft or sewing supplies. If you purchased a kit, it usually comes with the needle so you will not need to worry about getting the correct size. If you are buying your own materials and using 14 count aida, then a size 24 would generally be a good fit.
Once you have your needle, you thread it exactly as you would for any other type of sewing project. Use the recommended number of stands as mentioned and displayed in the image above (usually 2) and do not knot your threads. As a best practice in cross-stitching, you don’t use knots ever in your threads. Instead you secure them at the back of your project under some stitches you have already completed. If it is the very beginning of your project or you are starting in a new area, then the next section will explain how to start your new thread.
Start your first stitch
After you’ve located the center of your material and threaded your needle, you are ready to take your first stitch! Bring your needle up from the back, in the bottom left corner of your first square. Make sure to leave a tail, about an inch or so, at the back. This can be secured at the back of your fabric under the next stitch you make.
Find the hole at the top right of your square and put the needle back through the fabric there.
I will note here that there are several viewpoints on the order you should make your stitches. In all honesty (and I know there are some very strong points of view on this) in the beginning, if you are picking this up for a hobby and fun, you can experiment and figure out what works best for you. This is one way to complete a row of stitches. As the diagram below demonstrates, complete all the bottom half of one colour of stitches in a complete row.
How to end a thread
Start by working backwards and coming up in the bottom right corner of your last square. Then, go back down in the top left corner of the square. This will create a complete X shape. After that, you can complete the full row of stitches that you started in the first step. Congratulations, you have successfully completed your first set of stitches!
Alternately you can chose to work each stitch completely before moving on to the next stitch. Whichever method works best for you and your project is just fine.
Continuing your stitches
Now that you have completed the first set of stitches, you can proceed with your project in the manner that best suits you. Some people prefer to finish all the stitches of a particular color before moving on to another, while others prefer to complete a specific area before moving on. Both methods can work well, but it depends on the pattern you are following. If you can easily count and navigate to all the stitches of a particular color, then working on them all together can be a good option. However, if the stitches of a particular color are few and far apart, then it may not be the most efficient method.
Finish a thread
Once you have either completed all stitches required with a specific thread, or you have reached the end of the thread, it’s time to finish it off. Turn your work over so you expose the back. Take your needle and run it through a few threads at the back to secure it down. You can now remove the needle and cut off the remaining tail of thread.
Start a new thread by running it through a few completed stitches at the back similar to how you finish a thread.
Other things to consider when you start cross-stitching
- When it comes to stitching, it’s best to avoid jumping threads over multiple stitches at the back of your project. Instead, try to run your thread through the stitches between the one you just finished and the one you want to begin, unless there are only 2 or 3 stitches between the two. This will help keep the back of your project tidy, and prevent the threads from being pulled out. If the stitches are too far apart, it may be easier to end the thread and start again in the new location.
- ALways work with clean hands and avoid loitions and other hand products that leave a residue or oil on your hands. You can buy specific creams for stitchers from specialty stores and on amazon if you want to give them a try.
- Get creative when finishing your projects. You can always frame your project in a hoop or have it professionally framed. But there are lots of other options as well, they can be sewed onto pillows, bags and articles of clothing, added to a gift card or transformed into a christmas ornament. The options of entless so get creative !
- All cross-stitches (including partial stitches) should be completed before you move on to backstitch or any other specialty stitching or beadwork.
- There are lots of products that will help you to avoid your fabric fraying as you work. Feel free to experiment with these, or many people prepare their fabric by stitching around the edges with a slip stitch or using a sewing machine to finish the edge. Some use masking tap to secure the edges and others choose to donothing at all and just trim the fray as they go. If you have only a lttle space betweenthe edge of your project and your fabric I would recommend using some method to securre your edges but otherwise, experiement and find out what works best for you! I would love to hear your comments and recommendations below!
Congratulations, you’ve started cross-stitching!!
Cross-stitching is not an overly challenging form of embroidery and can easily be mastered with a bit of practice. Now that you know the basics experiment and most of all have fun. There is nothing better than curling up in your cozy place and losing yourself in your stitching.
We would love to hear about your first cross-stitching experience. Feel free to leave a comment below or join our Facebook group and share your story with everyone!
