Cross Stitch for Beginners: Supplies and First Stitches

Cross stitch is one of the friendliest needlecrafts to learn. There's really only one core stitch, the pattern tells you exactly where every stitch goes, and a small first project can be finished in a few relaxed evenings.

This guide takes you from an empty craft bag to a finished piece: what to buy, how to prepare, how to start without knots, how to make neat stitches and how to wash and press your work at the end.

What is counted cross stitch?

In counted cross stitch, the design isn't printed on the fabric. Instead, you follow a chart. As DMC explains, the squares on the chart correspond to the squares on the fabric, and each square with a symbol needs a stitch in the matching thread color.

You make each X-shaped stitch over one block of Aida fabric. Put enough of them together and a picture appears.

Beginner cross stitch supplies

You don't need much, and most of it is inexpensive.

A quick note on needles: numbers work backward. DMC notes that the smaller the number, the larger the needle, so a 26 is finer than a 24. Our Aida cloth count guide has a full needle and strand chart if you move to other fabrics.

Choosing your first pattern

A great first project is:

• Small, such as 50 to 80 stitches across, so you finish while you're still excited
• Limited in colors, so you're not constantly changing thread
• Mostly full cross stitches, without lots of quarter stitches or long backstitch outlines

The gallery of ready-made patterns is a nice place to find something approachable, and the monthly newsletter sends a free pattern you can practice with.

Dreaming of stitching your dog or a family photo? That's a wonderful goal. Photo patterns tend to have more colors and more single scattered stitches, so many stitchers enjoy one simple project first. When you're ready, upload a photo to the pattern generator (the preview is free), and how to turn a photo into a cross stitch pattern walks you through it.

Preparing your fabric

Cut it to size

Work out your design size by dividing the stitch count by the fabric count, then add a border. DMC recommends a clear border of at least 3 inches (8 cm) all around if you plan to frame the piece.

Example: a 70 × 70 stitch design on 14-count is 70 ÷ 14 = 5 inches square. Add 3 inches on every side and cut an 11 × 11 inch piece.

Stop the edges fraying

DMC suggests you hem the edges or cover them with masking tape. Tape is quick and works well for small projects.

Find the center

Fold the fabric in half, then in half again. DMC notes that where the two folds intersect is the center. Mark it with a pin or a few loose running stitches. On the chart, look for arrows on the edges; where lines between them meet is the chart's center.

Hoop it

Place the fabric in the hoop so it's drum-tight, with the grain straight. Loosen the hoop when you stop for the day so it doesn't leave a stubborn ring.

Preparing your floss

1. Cut a manageable length. DMC suggests pulling a maximum of 50 cm (18 inches). Longer thread tangles and wears as it passes through the fabric.
2. Separate the strands one at a time. DMC's tip is to tap the end, grab a single strand and pull it straight up to avoid tangles.
3. Recombine the number you need, usually two strands on 14-count.

Starting without knots

It's tempting to tie a knot, but DMC explains that knots on the back can cause unsightly lumps and get in the way when you add stitches in neighboring holes. Here are three starts that leave no knot behind.

The loop start (for 2, 4 or 6 strands)

The Cross Stitch Guild's loop start only works with an even number of strands, which makes it a tidy choice when you're stitching with two:

1. Cut one strand about twice your usual length.
2. Fold it in half and thread both cut ends through the needle, leaving a loop at the other end.
3. Bring the needle up from the back where your first stitch starts, leaving the loop hanging at the back.
4. Make the first half cross, and when the needle is back behind the fabric, pass it through the waiting loop. Pull gently. You're anchored.

The waste knot

In the Cross Stitch Guild's away waste knot start, you knot the end of the thread, take the needle from the front to the back, and come up again about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the knot. Stitch toward the knot so your stitches cover the thread on the back, then cut the knot off once the thread is anchored. The Guild suggests this start for odd numbers of strands, and warns against it with black thread, which can leave a shadow on the fabric.

The away knot

DMC's away knot method places the knot about 4 inches (10 cm) from where you begin, and you simply start stitching. When you finish that thread, snip the knot off from the front, rethread the tail, and weave it under several stitches on the back.

Making your first stitches

A single cross stitch

Following the Cross Stitch Guild's method:

1. Come up at the bottom left corner of a block.
2. Go down at the top right corner.
3. Come up at the bottom right corner.
4. Go down at the top left corner.

That's it. You've made an X.

Rows of stitches

For a run of stitches in the same color, work all the half stitches (bottom left to top right) along the row, then come back completing the crosses. The Cross Stitch Guild recommends this two-journey method because it forms neater vertical lines on the back, and DMC points out that counting mistakes are easier to unpick before the crosses are finished.

Good habits from day one

• Start in the middle of the design and work outward, as DMC recommends.
• Count from stitches you've already made, not from the fabric edge.
• Don't carry thread across big gaps. DMC advises finishing and restarting rather than leaving long strands across the back, which can show through.
• Let the needle dangle now and then so the floss untwists.
• Mark off stitched areas on a printed copy of the chart with a highlighter.

Ending a thread

When you have about 3 to 4 inches left, take the needle to the back and slide it under several stitches, ideally of the same or a similar color. The Cross Stitch Guild says to pass the needle under several stitches of the same or a similar color and then snip the loose end close to the stitching.

Adding backstitch

Many patterns add outlines in backstitch. DMC says to add backstitch after the cross stitches are complete because it can overlap stitched areas, and to use a single strand for fine outlines. The Cross Stitch Guild agrees on one strand and a slightly smaller needle. Charts from our generator are full cross stitches only, so any backstitch is something you add by hand. Learn to spot backstitch lines and other symbols in how to read a cross stitch pattern.

Fixing mistakes

Everyone miscounts. If it's just a few stitches, unthread your needle and use its blunt tip to lift out the stitches one leg at a time. For larger areas, carefully snip stitches on the back with small scissors and pick out the pieces with tweezers. Take your time; the fabric is tougher than it looks. How to fix cross stitch mistakes covers the tools and when to leave a wrong stitch alone.

Washing and finishing your cross stitch

Many pieces don't need washing, especially if you stitch with clean hands. If yours does, DMC's guide to washing finished needlework recommends:

1. Rinse under cold running water, then hand wash gently with a little non-biological detergent.
2. Rinse several times until the water runs clear.
3. Roll it between two clean towels and squeeze gently, without wringing.
4. Let it air dry until just damp.
5. Press it face down between two towels with a warm iron. DMC is clear: never use a hot iron.

DMC also advises against bleach, harsh detergents, protective sprays and dry cleaning for cross stitch.

Once it's pressed, you can display it in a hoop, lace it over board for framing, or turn it into a card or ornament. Keep that border of spare fabric until you've decided.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to start cross stitching?

You need a pattern, 14-count Aida fabric, DMC stranded floss in the colors from the key, a blunt tapestry needle around size 24, small sharp scissors and an embroidery hoop. A highlighter and floss cards are helpful extras.

Should I use a knot when I start cross stitching?

Generally no. Knots create lumps on the back that can show through and get in the way. Use a loop start when stitching with an even number of strands, or a waste knot or away knot, which are trimmed off later.

Where should I start stitching on a cross stitch pattern?

Start at the center of the chart and the center of the fabric. Fold the fabric in half and in half again to find the middle, then find the center arrows on the chart. This keeps the design centered for framing.

How many strands of floss should a beginner use?

On 14-count Aida, two strands is the standard choice: the Cross Stitch Guild says cross stitch is generally worked with two strands on 14- and 16-count Aida. Follow your pattern's instructions if they differ, and use one strand for backstitch outlines, which both DMC and the Guild suggest.

Do I need to wash my cross stitch when it's finished?

Not always. If it's clean, a gentle press may be enough. If you do wash it, DMC recommends cold water, a little non-biological detergent, rolling it in a towel, and pressing face down between towels with a warm, never hot, iron.

Sources

• DMC — How to read a cross stitch chart (squares on the chart correspond to squares on the fabric)
• DMC — Aida embroidery fabric (14-count recommended for beginners)
• DMC — Cotton Embroidery Floss (Mouliné Spécial): 8 meter skeins, six strands
• DMC — Cross stitch needles (the smaller the number, the larger the needle)
• DMC — Preparing your fabric (3 in / 8 cm border, hem or tape the edges, find the center by folding)
• DMC — How to use stranded embroidery floss (50 cm / 18 in maximum, separate one strand at a time)
• DMC — Beginning cross stitch (start in the middle, avoid knots and long stretches on the back, work in rows)
• DMC — The away knot method
• DMC — Use back stitch to accentuate your cross stitch (after the crosses, single strand)
• DMC — How to clean and wash finished needlework
• The Cross Stitch Guild — Cross stitch equipment (blunt tapestry needles, sizes 24 and 26 most common)
• The Cross Stitch Guild — Knotless loop start (even number of strands)
• The Cross Stitch Guild — Away waste knot start (odd numbers of strands, avoid with black thread, ending a thread)
• The Cross Stitch Guild — Cross stitch FAQs (working a cross, half stitches along the row, neater backs)
• The Cross Stitch Guild — Thread basics (two strands generally on 14- and 16-count Aida)