Cross stitch for beginners
What you need
- Fabric
- 14-count Aida in white or cream. The holes are easy to see and count.
- Floss
- DMC six-strand embroidery floss in the colors your pattern lists. One skein of each is plenty for a small piece.
- Needle
- A size 24 tapestry needle. Its blunt tip slides through the holes without splitting the fabric.
- Hoop
- A 6 inch (15 cm) embroidery hoop keeps the fabric tight while you stitch.
- Scissors
- Small, sharp scissors for trimming floss close to the fabric.
Pick a first pattern
Work out how much fabric to buy
- Finished size
- 10.0 × 7.1 in
- Stitches
- 140 × 100
- Fabric to cut (3 in spare per side)
- 16.0 × 13.1 in
- Floss if every square is stitched
- About 8 skeins
- Hoop to display it
- 14 in (36 cm)
- Frame with a 2 in mat
- 16 × 12 in
On 14-count aida with 2 strands. Skeins are 8 m DMC skeins; the figure is an estimate for planning.
| Fabric | Finished | Cut |
|---|---|---|
| 11-count aida | 12.7 × 9.1 in | 18.7 × 15.1 in |
| 14-count aida | 10.0 × 7.1 in | 16.0 × 13.1 in |
| 16-count aida | 8.8 × 6.3 in | 14.8 × 12.3 in |
| 18-count aida | 7.8 × 5.6 in | 13.8 × 11.6 in |
| 20-count aida | 7.0 × 5.0 in | 13.0 × 11.0 in |
| 22-count aida | 6.4 × 4.5 in | 12.4 × 10.5 in |
| 25-count evenweave over 2 | 11.2 × 8.0 in | 17.2 × 14.0 in |
| 28-count evenweave over 2 | 10.0 × 7.1 in | 16.0 × 13.1 in |
| 32-count evenweave over 2 | 8.8 × 6.3 in | 14.8 × 12.3 in |
| 25-count linen over 2 | 11.2 × 8.0 in | 17.2 × 14.0 in |
| 28-count linen over 2 | 10.0 × 7.1 in | 16.0 × 13.1 in |
| 32-count linen over 2 | 8.8 × 6.3 in | 14.8 × 12.3 in |
Your first stitches
1. Cut and hoop the fabric
Cut the fabric 3 inches (8 cm) larger than the finished design on every side. Fold it in half twice to find the middle, then put it in the hoop so it is tight like a drum.
2. Separate two strands
A skein has six strands twisted together. Cut an arm-length piece, then pull two strands out one at a time. Most patterns on this site use two strands.
3. Start in the middle
The pattern has center lines. Start the first stitch at the middle of the fabric, on the square where the center lines cross, and count out from there.
4. Make a cross
Bring the needle up at the bottom left of a square and down at the top right. That is half a cross. Come back up at the bottom right and down at the top left to finish it.
5. Stitch rows of one color
For a row of the same symbol, work all the first halves along the row, then come back along the row with the second halves. Keep every top stitch leaning the same way.
6. Finish the thread
Slide the needle under three or four stitches on the back and trim. Avoid knots: they make lumps under the finished piece.
Questions
What is the easiest cross stitch for a beginner?
A small pattern with one to four colors and no half stitches, such as a heart or a star. It is finished in an evening or two and teaches every basic step.
Which Aida count should I start with?
14-count Aida. The squares are big enough to see without a magnifier and two strands of floss cover them well.
Do I need a hoop?
It is not required, but it keeps the fabric tight and the stitches even. A 6 inch hoop suits most first projects.
How do I turn my own photo into a pattern?
Use the pattern creator: choose a photo, pick Small for a first project, and download the free PDF.