CROSS STITCH: A BEGINNER'S GUIDE

Overview
Cross stitching is a form of embroidery that follows a tiled pattern to create an image.
The stitcher creates X-shaped stitches on a piece of fabric until the final image is formed.

Required Supplies
• Cross stitch kit
• Embroidery needle
• Masking tape

Reading a Cross Stitch Chart

A cross stitch chart, or pattern, is a grid made of many tiny squares. Each colored
square corresponds to a stitch. Each square that requires a stitch will be colored or
contains a symbol. A chart legend (usually on the side or the bottom of the grid) tells
you which color thread corresponds to the symbol or colored square. The chart also has
arrows that indicates the center of the design. Start in the center of the fabric when you
begin stitching.

Each square
represents a
stitch

Arrow indicate
the center of the
design

Legend display the

thread color and its
coresponding symbol

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Preparing your Fabric
1. Fold the fabric in half vertically and Fold the fabric
horizontally. in half along red
dotted lines
2. Locate the center mark.
3. Mark the center with a pencil.
4. Cut out 4 pieces of masking tape with
the same length as the edges of the fabric.
5. Tape down one edge of the fabric, making
sure one half of the tape is on the fabric
and the other half is off.
6. Flip the fabric over.
7. Use the half of the tape hanging of the
fabric and tape down the back edge.
8. Repeat steps 5-7 with the remaining 3 Fold tape along
black dotted lines
pieces of tape.

Using a Hoop
Some kits may or may not come with a hoop. However, using a hoop is helpful but
not required as the hoop will keep the fabric tight for easier stitching. You may use the
following instructions to help you set up your hoop.
Remove screw to
1. Loosen the screw holding the two separate hoops

hoops together.
2. Separate the hoops.
3. Lay the hoop without a screw flat on a
flat surface.
4. Center the fabric on top of the hoop.
5. Place the hoop with the screw flat on
top of the fabric.
6. Squeeze the hoops together, sandwiching
the fabric in between.
7. Tighten the screw while pulling the out the
sides of the fabric.
TIP: Don't pull out the fabric too tight as you
tighten the screw to avoid deforming the weave.
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Preparing your Thread
& Threading your Needle
1. Grab the color floss that corresponds to
the color of square in the center of the pattern.
2. Cut a length of 12-16 inches long.
3. Separate the strand into pairs.
4. Thread two strands through a needle.
TIP: It's recommended that you don't knot the thread.

Creating Stitches
1. Start in the center of the fabric.
2. Begin stitching from left to right, following the pattern.
3. Starting at hole 1, pull the needle through a hole from the back side of the fabric
to the front.
4. Leave about an inch of thread at the back of the fabric, creating a tail.
5. Pass the needle through hole 2, making sure to hold onto the tail.

6. Trap the tail end as you pull the needle through hole 3.
7. Create more diagonal (/) stitches based on your pattern.
8. Stitch backward diagonal (\) stitches to form an X.

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9. Create more X’s based on the pattern.
10. When you’re near the end of your thread, pass the thread through 3-4 stitches in the back
as shown below.