Your first cross stitch
A few supplies and a simple way to begin.
Gather your supplies
Use Aida with clearly visible holes, a blunt tapestry needle, six-strand cotton floss, scissors and a hoop. Start with 14 count for larger squares. Separate two strands for the default charts; three strands give heavier coverage and use more thread.
Read one square at a time
A filled square is one full cross over one Aida square. The letter tells you the thread color. Empty squares are bare fabric. Every ten-square line is heavier; the center is marked with arrows and dashed lines.
Find the center before you start
Fold the fabric gently horizontally and vertically. Mark the intersection with a removable basting thread, then align it with the chart center. Count from the center to a nearby block of filled squares. The chart keeps its full canvas, including empty borders.
Start without a knot
Leave a short tail on the back and hold it under the first four or five stitches. With two strands you may use a loop start if you know the technique; three strands need another start. Use a short, manageable length to reduce tangles.
Keep the crosses consistent
Work the first diagonal in the same direction each time, then cross it with the second diagonal. You can do a row of lower legs and return for the upper legs. Do not pull hard enough to distort the Aida holes.
Count, finish and store
Check against every ten-square line. Avoid carrying across more than five blank squares. End a thread under four or five stitches on the back. Remove the hoop between sessions. Follow your floss maker’s care guidance; colors can bleed when washed.
For fabric basics, see DMC’s fabric guide. Our material assumptions are documented here; no exact brand-color match or physical test is claimed.
Try Pocket Tulip