Cross stitch is a form of counted thread art that anyone can do. You don’t need to have great artistic ability, only patience and the desire to learn. This article will provide you with some tips on how to get started in this hobby
1) Getting Started
The first thing you’ll need is some supplies: A cross stitch kit (unless you want to do other cross stitch projects like cross-stitching your own patterns), cross-stitch fabric (Aida cloth is most common, but any fabric with holes can be cross-stitched), cross-stitch threads, and a cross-stitch needle.
The next thing you’ll need to familiarize yourself with is the cross stitch design you want to cross-stitch.
Now that you’ve familiarized yourself with your cross stitch pattern (and hopefully make sense of it), it’s time to get started! Get out your cross stitch fabric and cross stitch needle, thread the needle, and tie a knot at the end, so you don’t lose your floss. Then follow the instructions below depending on what cross stitch method you’re using.
- Cross Stitch Method 1: “X”: Bring your threaded needle up from the bottom left corner to the top right corner where you want to start cross-stitching. Then bring it back down where you want to cross stitch next. Repeat, making sure to go through all of your cross stitch fabric.
- Cross Stitch Method 2: “-“: Bring your thread up from the bottom left corner and cross it over where you want to end cross-stitching. Then bring it down on the other side and cross it back over where you cross-stitched before. Repeat, making sure to go through all of your cross stitch fabric.
- Cross Stitch Method 3: ” \ “: Bring your thread up from the bottom left corner and cross it over where you want to cross stitch next. Then bring it down on the other side and cross it back under where you cross-stitched before. Repeat, making sure to go through all of your cross stitch fabric.
You’ll know when you’ve gone too far because the cross stitches will start to look like squares (or diamond shapes if you cross stitch over two cross stitches) instead of X’s.
Stopping:
When you’ve finished cross-stitching, cut the thread about an inch past where your last cross stitch is and take it off of your needle.
Pull-on one end of the cross-stitched fabric to tighten the cross stitches.
Tie a knot at the end of your cross stitch thread, so it doesn’t come undone, and you won’t lose all of your cross stitching floss by having it slip out of the cross stitch fabric.
2) Other Cross Stitch Methods
If you want to cross stitch over two cross stitches, use this pattern:
- Cross Stitch Method 1: ” \ “: Bring your cross-stitch thread up from the bottom left corner and cross it over where you want to cross stitch next. Then bring it down on the other side and cross it back under where you cross-stitched before. Repeat, making sure to go through all of your cross stitch fabric.
- Cross Stitch Method 2: “X”: Bring your cross-stitch thread up from the bottom left corner and cross it over where you want to cross stitch next. Then bring it down on the other side and cross it back under where you cross-stitched before. Repeat, making sure to go through all of your cross stitch fabric.
3) Stitching Holes with Cross Stitch Threads
Stitching holes are made differently for different cross stitch methods. For each technique, cross stitch the fabric on the cross stitch lines (not cross-stitching over one cross-stitch or cross-stitching over two cross stitches). When you get to a hole, bring your needle up on one side of the hole and cross it back under where you came up. Then cross your thread back over again. Repeat cross-stitching through all of your cross stitch fabric and cross stitching over all of your cross stitches until you’ve cross-stitched across the hole.
4) Finishing Your Cross Stitch Project
Once your cross stitch project is finished, finish by tying a knot in your cross stitch thread like this:
- Move your needle over to form the knot.
- Pull on the cross stitch thread to tighten the cross stitch fabric and then pull on both ends of cross stitching thread to finish tightening.
- Cut off one end of cross stitching thread.
- Cut the other end of cross stitching thread so it’s even with the knot you just tied.
- Take a lighter and burn the tails of cross stitching thread until they stop fraying.
5) Storing Your Cross Stitch Projects
Store cross stitch projects in a cross-stitch bag or cross-stitch box. If you don’t have these, display cross-stitching projects by hanging them up with cross-stitching clips. You can also store cross stitches in cross stitch pouches or cross-stitch pockets.
Cross stitch is a fun way to create different projects. You can choose to begin with projects like Christmas cross stitch, Valentine cross stitch, baby cross stitch, etc.