How to Do Basic Cross-Stitches

You'll need to know these basic stitches in order to complete most cross-stitch projects. Work all stitches through the holes woven into the cross-stitch fabric.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Cross-stitch Charts
• Cross-stitch Fabrics
• Cross-stitch Kits
• Cross-stitch Patterns
• Embroidery Floss
• Embroidery Hoops
• Tapestry Needles
• Scissors

1. Thread the tapestry needle with the specified color and number of embroidery floss strands. Make threading easier by gently twisting the strand ends together.
2. Pull 3 to 4 inches of embroidery floss through the eye of the tapestry needle. Leave this tail the same length throughout your project.
3. Position the threaded needle at the back of the fabric and bring the needle up all the way through at your starting point, leaving about 1 inch of floss at the back of your work. Hold this thread at the back of the fabric and work your first few stitches over it to secure.
4. Do a half cross-stitch by bringing the needle up through one hole in the fabric and then down through the hole that is diagonal and to the right of it.
5. Do a cross-stitch by first making a half cross-stitch and then making another half cross-stitch in the opposite direction. The second half cross-stitch crosses over the first so that an "X" is formed.
6. Do a backstitch by bringing the needle up through one hole. Go backward over the indicated number of threads, then push the needle down through the appropriate hole in the fabric. Finally, bring the needle up the same number of threads ahead of your starting point. Repeat.

Tips & Warnings

• The type of stitch and color to be used are indicated on the chart and in kit instructions. Each square on the chart represents one stitch.
• Each length of embroidery floss is made up of six strands. Separate strands by holding a length of floss between two fingers and pulling one strand out at a time. If you try to pull out more than one at a time, your floss may become tangled.
• Keep the tension of your stitches even and light. This will prevent thread from breaking and fabric from puckering.
• You can work a large area of cross-stitches by working a horizontal row of half cross-stitches and completing the other half of each "X" by making an equal number of half-stitches in the reverse direction.
• These instructions assume you are working left to right. Work in the direction that is comfortable for you, but be consistent.