How to Cross Stitch

What you need

• Fabric. 14-count Aida in white or cream. Its block weave shows every stitch position clearly.
• Thread. Six-strand embroidery floss such as DMC or Anchor, in the colors on the pattern key. The thread calculator estimates skeins.
• Needle. A size 24 tapestry needle for 14-count. The blunt tip slides through the holes instead of piercing the threads.
• Hoop. A 6 or 8-inch hoop for small projects. Check the fit with the hoop size calculator.
• Pattern and scissors. A chart with a color key, and small sharp scissors for trimming thread.

How to read a cross stitch chart

Each square on the chart is one stitch. A symbol or color in the square tells you which thread to use; the key matches each symbol to a floss number. Blank squares stay unstitched.

Thicker grid lines every 10 squares make counting easier, and arrows on the edges mark the center. Solid lines drawn over squares are backstitch, worked after the crosses. Ticking off finished areas on a printed copy keeps your place.

Step-by-step cross stitch instructions

1. 1

   Cut and prepare the fabric

   Cut Aida to the design size plus a 2 to 3 inch border on every side. Tape or zigzag the edges so they do not fray.

2. 2

   Find the center

   Fold the fabric in half one way and then the other. Mark where the folds cross with a pin or a few basting stitches.

3. 3

   Separate the strands

   Cut about 18 inches of floss and pull out the number of strands the pattern calls for, usually 2, one strand at a time.

4. 4

   Start without a knot

   Use a loop start with 2 strands, or hold a 1-inch tail on the back and cover it with your first few stitches.

5. 5

   Make the cross

   Come up at the bottom-left corner of a square, go down at the top-right, come up at the bottom-right and go down at the top-left.

6. 6

   Stitch in rows

   Work a row of half stitches in one direction, then cross them on the way back. Keep every top stitch facing the same way.

7. 7

   End the thread

   Slide the needle under 4 or 5 stitches on the back and trim the tail close.

The loop start

Take a single strand twice as long as usual and fold it in half. Thread the two cut ends through the needle, leaving the loop hanging. Come up through the back of the fabric, make the first half stitch and, on the back, pass the needle through the loop before pulling snug. The thread is anchored with no knot, which would leave a bump under a framed piece. It works for any even number of strands.

Stitch in rows, not one cross at a time

For any block of the same color, work along the row making only the first diagonal of each stitch, then come back the other way completing the crosses. Two passes across ten stitches means 20 needle movements in a steady rhythm, instead of constantly turning the work. Most stitchers find it noticeably quicker than finishing each cross before moving on, and the tension comes out more even because every stitch is pulled the same way.

Single crosses still make sense for scattered stitches: one stitch here, two there, the kind of area stitchers call confetti. Finish those individually rather than carrying thread between them.

Getting the tension right

A correct stitch sits flat against the fabric and the hole it came through stays round. If the holes pull into ovals or the fabric bunches when you take it out of the hoop, the thread is too tight. If the stitch looks loose and you can lift it with a fingernail, it is too slack and will snag later.

Stop pulling as soon as the thread meets the fabric rather than tugging to a stop, and let the needle hang every few stitches to unwind the twist that builds up in the floss. Twisted thread is the usual cause of stitches that look thin or ropey next to their neighbours.

Finishing your cross stitch

Check the back for loose ends and trim tails longer than about 5 mm. If the fabric is marked, wash it in cool water with mild detergent, dry it flat and press it face down on a towel. The framing guide covers mounting and display.

Mistakes to avoid

• Mixed stitch direction: Keep the top leg of every X going the same way, or solid areas look patchy.
• Pulling too tight: Stitches should lie flat without drawing the holes together.
• Carrying thread far on the back: Jumps longer than about 3 squares can show through light fabric. End and restart instead.
• Starting in a corner: Counting from the center keeps the design centered on the fabric.