Cross Stitch for Beginners
Cross stitch is one of the most approachable crafts to pick up. You do not need expensive equipment, artistic skill, or prior experience. This guide covers exactly what to buy, what to do first, and what to expect from your first few sessions.
What to buy — beginner materials list
14-count Aida fabric
Buy white or off-white. Cut to size using the calculator below.
£2–6 per piece
DMC stranded cotton
Buy the colours your pattern calls for, plus 1 extra skein of each.
£0.30–0.50 per skein
Size 24 tapestry needle
Tapestry, not embroidery — blunt tip is important.
£1–3 for a pack
6 or 8-inch embroidery hoop
Plastic or wood. Plastic holds tension better for beginners.
£2–8
Small sharp scissors
Dedicated embroidery scissors. Worth having separate from general scissors.
£3–10
Pattern
Many free patterns online. Beginner kits include fabric, thread, and pattern together.
Free–£15
Your best first project
Small is better. A 50×50 stitch design takes 2,500 stitches — at 100 stitches per hour for a beginner, that is 25 hours of work, or about 3 to 4 weeks at 30 minutes per day. That is achievable without losing motivation.
Avoid designs with very fine detail, confetti stitching (lots of individual colour-change squares), or specialty stitches on a first project. A simple geometric, a letter, an animal outline, or a small landscape all work well. Most craft shops sell beginner kits containing a suitable first design.
Calculate your fabric size before you cut:
Enter your stitch count above to see your fabric size
What to expect in your first session
The first session is mostly setup: threading the needle, finding the centre of the fabric, placing the first stitches. Do not expect to produce a large area in the first hour. The first ten stitches take longer than the next hundred once you find the rhythm.
Your first stitches will probably not all look the same. That is normal. Consistency comes from repetition. By the end of a second project, most people find that their tension has become more even without thinking about it.
Frequently asked questions
The minimum kit is: Aida fabric (14-count is best for beginners), DMC stranded cotton in the colours your pattern calls for, a size 24 tapestry needle, a 6 or 8-inch embroidery hoop, scissors, and a pattern. A beginner kit from any craft shop bundles all of this together.
Continue learning:
Related calculators
Fabric Size Calculator
Calculate exact fabric dimensions for any design
Aida Fabric Calculator
Calculate size for any Aida count
Thread Calculator
How much thread does your project need?
Floss Calculator
Estimate DMC and Anchor floss by skein
Time Calculator
How long will your project take to finish?
Hoop Size Calculator
Find the right hoop for your fabric size
Skein Calculator
Plan exactly how many skeins to buy