Cross Stitch for Beginners: Start Your New Hobby

Slowing Down

Our society is full of fast-moving high technology and relentless business. It seems as though we never slow down—there isn’t enough time in a day to get everything done. But relaxation is necessary, even critical, to our health. We need to find moments where we slow down the pace and enjoy life’s little pleasures, whether that means basking in the sun, savoring a great meal, reading a good book, or doing needlework. One type of needlework that makes for a great relaxing hobby is cross-stitch. It’s cheap, easy to learn, and the end product can be a wonderful gift.

Cross Stitch for Beginners

About Cross Stitch for Beginners

Counted cross stitch as a needlecraft has been around for almost as long as people have been sewing embroidery and embellishments into the material. In modern cross stitch, colored floss is stitched onto even-weave cloth in little X’s according to a design pattern. Even-weave cloth and Aida fabric are specially made for this—the weave forms little squares with small holes at each corner already made for the needle. Because the stitcher doesn’t need to push the needle through the fabric as is the case in most other needlework, the needle itself has a dull tip, plus a slightly wider eye for the floss which has a larger diameter than thread. The floss is made in a wide variety of colors and textures, which means the potential for patterns is endless. Sometimes the pattern designs are stamped directly onto the cloth to show which color to use in which squares. When using a blank cloth and separate pattern, the floss color corresponds to symbols on the pattern and the stitcher has to count squares on the cloth to know where to put a specific colored X. Hence the term counted cross stitch.

Cross Stitch for Beginners

The Basics

Beginners should either buy a small kit that has everything included or hunt down a seasoned cross stitcher who has all the necessary materials and feels like sharing. A kit has the correct size cloth and amount of floss, plus needle, pattern, and in some cases a hoop. They may even include small scissors, but these can be found separately with no trouble. Even-weave cloth comes in different sizes according to how many squares per inch, from large squares like 6 count to very fine linens which can be as small as 40 count. Beginners should start with a large-squared cloth in 14 count or less, since the squares will be much easier to see.

Threading the needle for cross stitch is done differently than in sewing. The floss is not knotted, but pulled through the needle eye just a couple of inches, enough to keep the needle from slipping off the floss while you stitch. For cloth counts of 14 or less, usually, three strands of floss are used. For greater than 14 count, two strands are used or even one strand for the very fine count.

If you don’t have cloth that has the pattern stamped on it, it’s usually easiest to begin stitching from the center of the pattern. The pattern will indicate with arrows which row and column meet in the center of the pattern. Instead of counting the squares of the cloth to find the exact center, the easy way to start is to fold the cloth in half, and then in half again, so that the creases make an X showing the approximate middle of the cloth. Many people find it helpful to place their cloth in a hoop, to stretch the fabric evenly and give the stitcher a good visual area. If you use a hoop, remember to always remove it when you take a break from stitching, or the hoop will leave a ring in your fabric that will be hard to get out.

Cross Stitch for Beginners

Once you have your needle threaded with floss and the cloth creased to indicate the center, choose your beginning square and push the needle up through a hole at one of the square’s corners. It doesn’t matter which corner you use, but it is important to always make the first cross of your X in the same direction for every square. If you don’t, then the top cross of the X will be going in different directions all across your final picture, which will give it a messy look. Once you have your needle through the fabric, pull the floss through until you have a couple of inches left on the backside of the cloth. Later, you will thread this tag of floss on your needle and run it under stitches to secure it. There is no need to knot in cross-stitch. When you’ve pulled the floss through far enough, push your needle through the hole that is diagonal across the square from the first hole. To complete the X, pull the needle back up through one of the remaining holes and back down the last hole. Continue making your X’s according to the symbols and directions on the pattern.

When you’ve completed a section or are close to the end of your floss, simply run the needle under a few stitches at the backside of the cloth to secure it and cut off the dangling strands. Rethread your needle with a new length of floss and begin again, this time securing the trailing end of your floss in the strands at the backside of the cloth before making your first X.

Cross Stitch for Beginners

Simple but Beautiful

Cross stitching can be a great way to relax, or to occupy yourself while waiting, such as at the doctor’s office or the airport. You’re not only doing something fun and interesting, but you’re creating a lovely picture at the same time. It’s simple to learn, easy to do, yet you produce a beautiful work of art that will be admired by all who see it. What more can you ask for in a hobby?


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June
June

Love to cross stitch. Had been doing it for more than 30 years, then stopped for awhile, with many undone and a few unfinished ones. When I got back to it I found it very therapeutic and have since finished several. I also work from the center in quarter sections and finish with each color thread. I’ve moved on to some slightly more difficult kits with half stitches and smaller Aida cloth; a bit more challenging but satisfying. I’ve done two fairly large ones and am working on one now which includes beads. I do encourage anyone who needs to slow down to try it.

Mayra Cecilia
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Reply to  June

Great tips, thank you June!

Mayra Cecilia
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Reply to  June

Great tips, thank you, June!

Paula Shaw
Paula Shaw

I have cross stitched for most of my life, I’m now nearly 64, however when my husband was suffering with his mental health I suggested he try it. I have to say it was amazing how he became so engrossed in his stitching that his mental health and anxiety decreased. Would recommend to any one it is a great way to de stress

Judith Cooke
Judith Cooke
Reply to  Paula Shaw

I completely agree with this comment. Cross stitch saw me through a major time of turmoil in my life and I continue to recommend it to this day. Judy C.

Kim
Kim
Reply to  Paula Shaw

Wow, that’s really amazing! Like the article said cross stitching forces us to slow down. I’m so glad it helped your husband!

Elena
Elena

This is something I’ve always wanted to try but never got round to. I think I’m going to have a look for a simple kit and get started. Thanks for the idea.

Angela Zeigler
Angela Zeigler

I have not cross stitched in over 30 years but recently had an itch to start it up again. I have a question that I can’t recall. When you start in the center and work up, (like as in a clock, )I start with say between 12:00 and 3:00. But then is it best to work downword or do i then start at the bottom and work up from 6:00 to 3:00 or 9 to 12? Hope that makes sense

Lisa Boban
Lisa Boban
Reply to  Angela Zeigler

I’ve been an avid stitcher for decades, and I can tell you that it doesn’t really matter. I tend to work in sections that make sense to me (maybe a small figure or a section of color). Making a working copy of your pattern so you can mark off as you go is useful too. Enjoy your new hobby!

joy bach
joy bach
Reply to  Angela Zeigler

Whatever point I start at, I work from there outward. If you skip an area and start back toward where you started, you could have miss counted rows and have an oops!

Julia
Julia

Sorry, I didn’t read past the first paragraph, because there’s already an error there: evenweave is not the fabric with the little holes at the corners. Evenweave means that there are as many threads vertically as horizontally to a square cmeter, eg. 12×12 threads per cm2. This is necessary for cross stitch, else your work will look wonky.

What you are describing is Aida fabric.

Mayra Cecilia
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Reply to  Julia

Thank you, Julia, I meant to mention both fabrics used for cross-stitching. I am only a beginner, hope you can answer Angela”s question, I start from left to right but that could be entirely wrong. What do you think?

Nancy Burton
Nancy Burton
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

You should start in the middle and can go in any direction from there! That way you don’t have to worry about running out of material or not having your design centered. I often tend to just finish the thread I’m working on, but have seen it suggested that you should finish a section first. My way works for me because I think the other way one would trend to have a mess of threads. Make sure all your top stitches go in the same direction Run the end of your thread under about 3 stitches in the back as you finish the thread, this will keep your work neater and will make it easier to continue working.

Mayra Cecilia
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Reply to  Nancy Burton

Ha!!!!!Thank you, Nancy, that explains the cobweb that collects under making the work lumpy, I am trying to make a cross-stitch flower using burlap for a purse, and it is looking rather ugly underneath, so much that I think I will have to start again. I don’t know why I did not think of running the thread under, da!!! Thanks again!

Laura Webber
Laura Webber

I recently picked up cross stitch again after having been away from it for years and have found it extremely relaxing. I hope it’s OK to mention here for the beginners; I have used various brands of kits, and I like the Dimensions brand kits best because they have the flosses separated and labeled by color, and the instructions and pattern are easy to follow. One of their small kits would get a beginner started and not be overwhelming like a huge project would be.

Mayra Cecilia
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Reply to  Laura Webber

Not at all Laura, thank you for the tip!