How to Read a Cross Stitch Pattern

When you print a cross stitch pattern, you get two sides. One is the color chart - a grid with the design shown in color. The other is a black-and-white chart that uses symbols instead of colors. You can use either one, so no color printer is no problem. Even if you do have a color printout, the symbol chart is worth keeping handy when two shades look nearly identical.

The color key on the pattern page is your decoder. Each color gets its own symbol - for this flamingo pattern, the main pink (DMC 151) is shown as circles, the paler pink as triangles, and white as crosses. Look at the key carefully before you start stitching. When two colors look similar on the fabric, the symbols are the reliable guide for which thread goes where.

The color key doesn't just list colors - it also tells you which stitch to use for each section. The main body of a design typically uses full cross stitch, while fine details and outlines use backstitch. On this flamingo, cross stitch covers the whole body and legs, and backstitch defines the beak details and leg outlines. The key also tells you how many skeins of each color you need, so you can shop before you start.

Aida cloth is the standard fabric for cross stitch - it has an open, gridded weave that makes it easy to count stitches. It comes in different counts (the number of holes per inch). 14-count is the most common for beginners and gives a good size finish. You'll also need a blunt tapestry needle, your embroidery thread, and optionally an embroidery hoop to keep the fabric taut. Check the pattern for the final design size, and choose a hoop a few centimeters larger than that.

Don't start from a corner or an edge. Fold your aida cloth in half vertically, then in half again horizontally - where the folds cross is the center. That's your starting point. Starting from the center means the finished design will sit where you want it on the fabric, with even margins on all sides. If you start from an edge and miscalculate, you can run out of fabric on one side.

Thread up with your main color and find the center square on your chart. Work a small row of stitches from right to left, starting from center. For each cross stitch, go bottom-right to top-left for the first diagonal, then bottom-left to top-right for the crossing stitch. Lock in that direction for the top stitch and keep it consistent through the whole project - it gives the finished piece a uniform texture and sheen.

Once you have your first row stitched, use it as a reference point to bring in the next color. Look at the chart and count the squares from your existing stitches to find where the new color starts. Keep the chart right next to your work and check it frequently - especially when two colors sit close together. Build the design section by section, color by color, always cross-checking your stitch placement against the pattern.