New to cross stitch?
Start your stitching journey here!
Cross stitch is a relaxing and rewarding craft that's easier to learn than you might think! With just a few basic supplies and a simple pattern to follow, you'll be making tiny X-shaped stitches and watching your design come to life in no time.
What is cross stitch?
Cross stitch is a type of counted thread embroidery made with little X-shaped stitches. You simply follow a chart that shows you where each stitch goes and which color to use.
One stitch at a time, your design slowly comes to life. That's part of the magic! ✨
What do you need to get started?
Just a few basic supplies and you're ready to go!
Aida fabric
Scissors
Aida fabric
Aida is the most popular fabric for cross stitch and a great choice for beginners. Its evenly spaced holes create a visible grid that makes it easy to see exactly where each stitch should go. 14-count Aida is a perfect place to start.
Tapestry Needle
Cross stitch uses a tapestry needle, which has a blunt tip and a large eye for embroidery floss. The blunt tip helps the needle pass easily through the holes in the Aida without splitting the fabric threads.
Embroidery Hoop
A hoop holds your fabric nice and taut while you stitch, making it easier to create neat and even crosses. They come in lots of sizes, and you can move the hoop around your fabric as you work on different areas.
Scissors
A small pair of embroidery scissors is perfect for cutting your floss and trimming loose ends. You don't need anything fancy to get started, just a sharp pair that gives you a clean cut.
Embroidery Floss
Embroidery floss is the colorful thread you'll use to create your stitches. It comes in six strands that can be separated depending on the look you want, most cross stitch projects use two strands at a time.
Cross Stitch Pattern
Your pattern is the roadmap for your project. The chart is made up of a grid of symbols, with each symbol representing a floss color and each square showing where to make a stitch. Simply follow it one stitch at a time!
How does it work?
It's easier than you think! Just follow these simple steps:
Choose your pattern
Pick a design you love and gather your supplies.
Prepare your fabric
Place your Aida in the hoop and find the center. Start from there
Follow the chart
Match the symbols on the chart with the corresponding floss colors.
Make little X's!
Stitch one X at a time and watch your design come to life.
Ready for your first project?
I created My First Cross Stitch Pattern especially for complete beginners. It’s simple, easy to follow and designed to help you learn the basics while enjoying your very first stitching project.
Still have questions?
A cross stitch chart is like a little map of your finished design. Each square on the grid represents one cross stitch on your fabric, and each symbol represents a different thread color.
Start by finding the center of the chart and the center of your fabric, this will help you position your design correctly. From there, follow the grid square by square, matching each symbol to the corresponding DMC thread color listed in the pattern key.
You don't need to stitch the chart in any particular order. You can work one color at a time, one section at a time, or however feels most comfortable to you. Just count your stitches carefully as you go!
Most cross stitch patterns are designed to be started from the center. Find the center of your fabric and the center of your chart, and you're ready to begin!
Aida is the easiest fabric to start with. Its evenly spaced holes make it easy to see exactly where each stitch should go. For your first project, 14-count Aida is a great choice.
For 14-count Aida, two strands of embroidery floss is the most common choice and a great place to start. It gives you nice, even coverage while keeping your stitches easy to work with.
If you prefer a fuller, chunkier look with less fabric showing through, you can try using three strands instead. There’s no single “right” amount; the number of strands you use can also depend on your fabric count and the look you want to achieve.
When in doubt, try a few stitches first and see which coverage you like best!
You don't absolutely need one, but I recommend it for beginners. A hoop keeps your fabric taut and makes it much easier to create neat, even stitches.
You're ready to stitch! 💛
Find a project you love, settle in and enjoy seeing your design come to life with every stitch.
Happy stitching!
