How to Cross Stitch
Cross stitching is a hobby that’s been enjoyed by generations. It’s also a great introduction to embroidery and other kind of needlework. You can make a beautiful picture out of simple and basic cross stitch patterns and techniques. Here’s how.
What You’ll Need
Cross stitch pattern
Embroidery thread
Tapestry needle
Cross stitch fabric
Cross stitch hoop
Scissors
Needle threader
Tweezers
An area with good lighting
Highlighter (optional)
Thimble (optional)
The Cross Stitching Process
What’s great about cross stitching is that you can do it whenever you have free time, taking it up whenever it’s most convenient for you. Get started!
Find a place with good lighting. Cross stitching in a poorly-lit area can cause your eyes to strain.
Start with a simple pattern that employs only a few colors. The more realistic your pattern is, the more complex colors you will need to use. For example, cross stitching a three-dimensional picture will involve different shades of the same color to depict tone and shadows. Try to look for cartoon character patterns or two-dimensional pictures to make things easier for you.
Cross stitch patterns come with instructions on how big your cross stitch pattern should be.
If you’re a beginner, you can also use your thimble to prevent pricking yourself.
You should start your pattern from the center of the cross stitch outwards, so that you will have an equal measurement on each side of the fabric and a space for the frame. To determine the center of the picture, simply fold the pattern into four equal parts. You can also fold your fabric or simply make an imaginary line running from the middle part of each side of the fabric and intersecting at what should be the center.
Decide which quarter of the pattern you’re going to start, and take the thread that the pattern has assigned.
Generally, it’s recommended to cut the embroider thread a yard or 91 centimeters long. A quicker way to measure is to measure the thread from the tip of your middle finger to your elbow and doubled.
Thread the needle using the help of a needle threader. How many threads you use is up to what the pattern recommends and the fabric you are using. More threads mean thicker needlework, which gives a more intense color effect.
Think of one cross stitch picture made up of boxes of color. Each “box” contains four holes where the thread goes in.
Insert the needle from the bottom of the fabric, inserting it to the top left corner of the box. Leave a little tail of the thread still hanging out. This will serve as an anchor later.
Insert the needle to the bottom right corner of the box, and then back out at the upper right. Finally, insert the needle into the bottom left, and you will form an X shape. Start again in the next box to its left or right. Anchor the tail end of the thread using the stitches formed in the back of the fabric.
An important thing you should remember is that your stitches should be consistent. If you have stitched the first box with the left thread over the right thread to form the X shape, all the other boxes should be threaded this way as well. This will give your cross stitch a neater and more consistent look.
For a row of stitches in the same color, you can first stitch one side of the box (\\\) and back again to form a complete box (xxx).
It’s also better to do cross stitches in a linear manner. To keep track of your progress, highlight each line of color you have on the pattern. It’s also better to start with the larger areas of your pattern first with the same color.
Excess tails should be anchored in the stitches in the back of the fabric.
Once you become more comfortable with the basic cross stitch, you can move on to trying out the other kinds of stitches, such as the back stitch, herringbone stitch and leaf stitch, among others. These are more or less variations on the basic stitch, so don’t be scared.
Cross stitching is a work of patience and love. Keep at it, and you’ll soon finish a pattern in no time.