https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/how-to-cross-stitch-2 • Posted by Muhaiminah Faiz
You can find a lot of help, tutorials,guides about cross stitching from the internet... but here's how I do my cross stitching :)
You can find a lot of help, tutorials,guides about cross stitching from the internet... but here's how I do my cross stitching :)
Fabric: If you are a beginner in cross stitching then aida fabric would be the best, though there are other kinds of cross stitching fabrics. Aida fabric is different than the other fabrics as the holes between fabric threads are easily visible and the number of holes in per inch is known as count in cross stitching. The fabric I used is 14 count and evenweave. For cross stitching some prefer to count the holes while some count the number of fabric threads, it works both ways.
Thread: Most people use floss for cross stitching but I also use yarn and crochet threads. I use a single strand of yarn and double strand of crochet thread for cross stitching.
Needle: The needle used for cross stitching is known as tapestry needle. This needle is relatively bigger than the usual sewing needles and has a blunt end so that it wouldn't ruin the fabric and easily pass through the holes.
First you'll have to select a design, if you're a beginner start with a simple and easy pattern for cross stitching. Count the number of stitches on the pattern and cut out the fabric by keeping 10-12 extra counts on all sides. Select a starting point on the fabric (it's always better to start from the center of any design) and draw the needle (along with the thread) from the bottom of the fabric pulling it upwards. Keep an inch extra on the other (wrong) side and hold the extra thread with one hand (or finger) while doing the first cross stitch (see the picture of this step). You can let go the extra thread after the first cross stitch is done.
Now, you can either count the holes or the fabric threads for cross stitching, I usually count the fabric threads. But to make it easier to understand I've tried to explain both ways. Counting fabric thread: Notice that between every 2 circles there are 2 fabric threads. I usually count the fabric threads while cross stitching.
Counting holes: Notice that I've marked the picture of this step with 4 circles of 4 different colors- yellow, red, blue and green, consider these circles as holes (counts) of the fabric. Draw the needle through the yellow circle from the bottom side of the fabric and insert it through the green circle (diagonally).
You did a half stitch. Now pull it through the blue circle.
Now insert the needle diagonally through the red circle and pull it out through the green circle to complete a cross stitch. Notice that there's 1 hole left unstitched between every 2 circles. You can choose a different count if you want to.
Now that you know how to do a cross stitch try out simple patterns. Such as this '1'. Enjoy!