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January 5, 2025 - 8 min read

Cross Stitch for Beginners: Everything You Need to Start Your Stitching Journey

Welcome to the wonderful world of cross stitch! This ancient craft is enjoying a modern renaissance, and for good reason. It is meditative, creative, and produces beautiful results even for complete beginners.

I have been stitching for over 30 years, and I still remember the magic of my first completed piece. Whether you are looking for a relaxing hobby, a screen-free activity, or a way to create handmade gifts, cross stitch delivers. Let me guide you through everything you need to know to start.

What Exactly Is Cross Stitch?

Cross stitch is a form of counted embroidery where you create X-shaped stitches on an even-weave fabric. Each X covers one square of the fabric grid, and by following a pattern (like a pixel art blueprint), you build up an image stitch by stitch.

Unlike free-form embroidery, cross stitch is wonderfully systematic. If you can count and make an X, you can cross stitch. The fabric guides your stitches, and the pattern tells you exactly where each color goes.

What You Will Need: The Essential Supplies

Beginner's Shopping List

Aida fabric (14-count): The beginner-friendly choice. The holes are easy to see and count.
Embroidery floss: DMC is the gold standard. Start with a small kit or the colors for one pattern.
Tapestry needles (size 24): Blunt tip, large eye. Perfect for 14-count Aida.
Embroidery hoop (6-inch): Keeps fabric taut for easier stitching.
Small scissors: Sharp embroidery scissors for clean thread cuts.
A simple pattern: Start with something small, under 50 stitches wide.

Budget tip: Many craft stores sell beginner kits with everything included. These are perfect for your first project and often cost less than buying supplies separately.

Understanding Fabric: Aida vs. Linen

Aida (Start Here)

Aida fabric has a visible grid of holes, making it easy to see exactly where each stitch should go. It comes in different "counts" - the number refers to how many stitches fit in one inch.

11-count: Large squares, great for kids or those with vision challenges
14-count: The most popular size. Perfect balance of detail and ease
16-count: Slightly finer detail
18-count: Small stitches, more detail, but harder to see

Linen and Evenweave (Later)

Once you are comfortable with Aida, you might explore linen or evenweave fabrics. These do not have the obvious grid but create a more "traditional" look. Many experienced stitchers (myself included!) prefer linen for its natural beauty and how thread lays on it.

Beginner tip: Stick with white or light-colored 14-count Aida for your first few projects. You will be able to see the holes clearly, and any mistakes are easy to spot and fix.

All About Thread: DMC Floss

DMC embroidery floss is the most widely used thread for cross stitch. Each skein contains 6 strands loosely twisted together. For most projects, you will separate these strands and use only 2-3 at a time.

Strand Count Guidelines:

14-count Aida: Use 2 strands for cross stitches
16-count Aida: Use 2 strands
18-count Aida: Use 1-2 strands
Backstitching: Usually 1 strand (we will cover this later)

How to Separate Strands:

Cut a length of floss (about 18 inches, armspan works!)
Hold the cut piece at one end
Gently pull ONE strand straight up and out
The other strands may bunch up, that is okay, they will straighten
Repeat until you have the number of strands you need
Recombine your separated strands before threading the needle

Pro tip: Always separate strands individually, even if you need 2. Separating then recombining gives your stitches better coverage and a neater appearance.

Your First Stitches: Step by Step

Setting Up

Place your fabric in the hoop, keeping it taut but not drum-tight
Find the center of your fabric (fold in half both ways)
Find the center of your pattern (usually marked)
Start stitching from the center outward, this ensures your design is centered

Making the Cross Stitch

Each cross stitch is made in two passes:

First leg: Come up at bottom-left, go down at top-right (this creates a / shape)
Second leg: Come up at bottom-right, go down at top-left (completing the X)

The Golden Rule: All your top stitches should slant the same direction. It does not matter if you go /// then \\\ or \\\ then ///, just be consistent throughout your entire project.

Starting Without a Knot

Knots create bumps and can come undone. Instead:

Leave a 1-inch tail of thread on the back
Hold this tail against the fabric with your finger
Make your first few stitches, catching the tail underneath
Once secured, snip any excess tail

Ending Your Thread

When you run low on thread or finish a color:

On the back, weave your needle under 3-4 existing stitches
Pull through and snip close to the fabric
No knots needed!

Reading a Cross Stitch Pattern

Patterns are grids where each square represents one stitch. They include:

Symbol key: Each symbol represents a thread color
Color list: DMC numbers for each symbol
Stitch count: Total width x height in stitches
Finished size: How big it will be on different fabric counts

Pattern tip: Use a highlighter to mark completed rows on a paper pattern, or use a magnetic board to keep your place. For digital patterns, apps like Pattern Keeper are game-changers.

Common Beginner Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

1. Thread Too Long

Problem: Long threads tangle and fray from repeatedly passing through fabric.

Solution: Keep threads to 18 inches maximum (about arm's length).

2. Pulling Too Tight

Problem: Fabric puckers and distorts.

Solution: Stitches should lay flat without pulling the fabric. Let gravity help, do not yank.

3. Inconsistent Stitch Direction

Problem: Some top stitches go / and others go \, creating an uneven look.

Solution: Pick one direction for all top stitches and stick with it. Check yourself regularly.

4. Not Enough Light

Problem: Eye strain, miscounted stitches, wrong holes.

Solution: Stitch in good natural light or invest in a daylight lamp. Your eyes will thank you.

Choosing Your First Pattern

Set yourself up for success with a beginner-friendly pattern:

Small size: Under 50 stitches wide (finishes in days, not months)
Few colors: 5-8 colors maximum
No backstitching: Or minimal (saves complexity for later)
Clear symbols: Easy-to-distinguish chart symbols
Something you love: Motivation matters!

Ready to Start Stitching?

Browse our collection of primitive, nature-inspired patterns. Many are beginner-friendly with clear charts and limited color palettes.

Browse Patterns

Building Your Thread Collection

As you complete more projects, you will accumulate threads. Before starting a new pattern, check what you already own against the thread list. This saves money and prevents duplicate purchases.

I created a free DMC inventory tool specifically for this. Mark the threads you own, paste in a pattern's requirements, and instantly see what you need to buy. It even works offline!

Welcome to the Stitching Community

One of the best parts of cross stitch is the community. You will find fellow stitchers on:

Instagram: Search #crossstitch, #xstitch, #stitchersofinstagram
Reddit: r/CrossStitch is wonderfully supportive
Facebook groups: Thousands of niche groups for every interest
Local guilds: Many areas have embroidery guilds with classes

Do not be shy about sharing your work in progress! The community celebrates beginners and loves seeing first projects.

Final Thoughts

Cross stitch is a journey, not a race. Your first project does not need to be perfect. It needs to be finished. Every experienced stitcher started exactly where you are now, making wobbly stitches and miscounting rows.

The magic happens when you keep going. Before you know it, those Xs will become second nature, and you will have a beautiful handmade piece to show for it.

Welcome to the craft. I am so glad you are here.

Happy stitching!
- Marieta