How to cross stitch

Everything a beginner needs, in order: what to buy, how to read a chart, how to make the stitch and how to finish without knots.

1. Get the supplies

  • Fabric: 14-count Aida in white or antique white. See the Aida guide for other counts.
  • Floss: DMC six-strand cotton in the colours on your chart’s key. The DMC colour chart lists them all.
  • Needle: a size 24 tapestry needle for 14-count (26 for 16–18-count). The blunt tip slips through holes without splitting threads.
  • Hoop: 5–6 inches for small pieces. Keep the fabric drum-tight but not distorted.
  • Scissors and a chart — start with one of our easy free patterns.

2. Prepare the thread

Cut about 18 inches (45 cm) of floss — longer lengths tangle and fray. Pull out the strands one at a time, then put back together the number you need. Pulling strands singly (“stripping”) makes them lie flatter and cover better.

3. Find the centre

Fold your fabric in half and in half again; the corner of the fold is the centre. On the chart, the small arrows on the edges point to the middle row and column. Starting from the centre guarantees an even border for framing.

4. Read the chart

One square on the chart is one cross on the fabric. Each symbol matches a floss in the key; a blank square means leave the fabric showing. The heavier line every tenth square is there so you can count in tens instead of ones.

Tap any square. The shaded row and column mark the centre, where most stitchers begin.

Symbol ★ = 986Forest Green - Very Dark

Column 8, row 10 — that is 0 right and 2 down from the centre square.

●DMC 3705 Melon - Dark
■DMC 321 Red
▲DMC 3708 Melon - Light
◆DMC 702 Kelly Green
★DMC 986 Forest Green - Very Dark

5. Make your first stitches

Start with a loop start (no knot). Stitch a row of bottom legs (/), then come back along the row with the top legs (\). Keep every top leg leaning the same way. The full cross stitch guide has a step-by-step diagram.

6. How many strands?

FabricCross stitchBackstitchNeedle
11-count Aida3 strands1–222
14-count Aida2 strands124
16-count Aida2 strands124–26
18-count Aida1–2 strands126
28-count evenweave (over 2)2 strands126

7. Finish a thread

With about 3 inches left, take the needle to the back and slide it under four or five stitches of the same colour, then trim. Never jump more than about three squares across empty fabric on the back.

8. Other stitches you’ll meet

Charts often add backstitch outlines, French knots for eyes and dots, and half stitches for pale shading.

9. Wash and frame

If your piece gets grubby, wash it by hand in cool water with a little mild soap, roll it in a towel and press it face down on a thick towel so the stitches don’t flatten. Lace or tape it over acid-free board before framing, or leave it in a hoop trimmed at the back.

Common beginner problems

  • Fabric puckers: you’re pulling too tight. Let the thread lie on the surface.
  • Thread keeps twisting: drop the needle and let it spin free every few stitches.
  • Lost your place: highlight finished areas on a printed copy of the chart, or mark every 10 squares on the fabric with a removable gridding thread.

Stuck? Ask a stitching question

An AI helper that only answers cross stitch and embroidery questions. It can be wrong — check anything important against your chart or kit instructions.

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Questions stitchers ask

What do I need to start cross stitch?

A piece of 14-count Aida, a few skeins of DMC stranded cotton, a size 24 tapestry needle (blunt tip), small scissors, an embroidery hoop about 6 inches across, and a chart. A beginner kit bundles all of these.

How many strands of floss do I use for cross stitch?

DMC floss is six strands twisted together. Separate them and use two for 14-count Aida, one or two for 18-count, and three for 11-count. Use one strand for backstitch outlines.

How do I read a cross stitch pattern?

Each square on the chart is one stitch on the fabric, and each symbol or colour matches a floss in the key. Bold lines every 10 squares help you count. Arrows at the edges mark the centre.

Where should I start stitching?

At the centre. Fold the fabric in quarters to find its middle, find the centre of the chart from the arrows, and work outward. That keeps the design centred with an even margin.

Should the back of my cross stitch be neat?

It doesn’t need to be perfect, but avoid knots and long threads jumping across unstitched fabric, which show through and can snag. A tidy back also lies flatter when framed.

How long does a cross stitch project take?

A relaxed beginner stitches roughly 100–150 full crosses an hour. A 40 × 40 motif (1,600 stitches) is about 11–16 hours; full-coverage photo portraits of 150 × 150 can take months.