How to Cross Stitch: 6 Step Beginner Tutorial

Steps

1. 1. Gather Your Supplies

   You need three things to start: embroidery floss (DMC is the standard - one skein gives you plenty for a small project), a size 26 tapestry needle (blunt tip with a big eye that won't snag the aida threads), and aida cloth. Aida cloth is woven specifically for cross stitch - the holes are evenly spaced so each X fits...

   

2. 2. Make the First Slash

   Bring the threaded needle up through the bottom-left corner of one aida square. Pull all the slack through, leaving a short tail on the back to catch with future stitches.

   

3. 3. Complete the X

   Bring the needle back up through the bottom-right corner of the same square, then take it down through the top-left corner. The two diagonal slashes now cross to form an X.

   

4. 4. Continue Across the Row

   Move to the next aida square and repeat the same four-corner sequence. Bottom-left up, top-right down, bottom-right up, top-left down.

   

5. 5. Try the Danish Method for Cleaner Backs

   The Danish method is faster and gives a tidier back. Stitch all the bottom-left to top-right slashes across the entire row first, then come back the other direction stitching the bottom-right to top-left slashes that complete each X.

   

6. 6. Mount in a Hoop and Stitch Two-Handed

   For longer projects, mount the aida in an embroidery hoop or scroll frame. The fabric stays taut and your stitches stay even from the first hour to the fifth.

   Tip: The Parking method is a fourth technique you'll see mentioned online - it's used for full-coverage projects with many colors per row. Skip it while learning.