Learning to Cross-Stitch

Cross-stitching is the easiest form of embroidery and is very relaxing. Hospitals have been known to teach cross-stitching to long-term patients as not only an activity to relieve boredom during their stays but to relieve stress. You can participate in this craft by using already printed kits, using patterns or designing your own using computerized graphs.

Cross-stitching is great training for more elaborate forms of needlework such as needlepoint, tatting and even quilting. This craft also doesn't require a lot of expensive equipment. All you need to have is:

A pair of sharp scissors

A small embroidery hoop

Masking tape or No-fray liquid

A piece of 11-count Aida fabric large enough to overlap the hoop by a few inches

(Later on you can advance to different counts of Aida depending on your pattern)

A short length of embroidery floss, any color. (When you advance to patterns, you will see graphs that designate different colors for different areas.)

Size 24-tapestry needle

How To Begin

First, you need to find the center the Aida cloth. Fold the Aida from corner to corner and run your thumb and forefinger forcibly along the folded edge to make a permanent fold. In this manner, you can see the center of the material. Next seal the ends from fraying by taking masking tape and 'tape' along all of the sides. Or you can buy a small bottle of non-fray liquid at your local material or craft shop.

Then place your Aida cloth on the hoop and secure it. Then cut a short length of floss. Make certain that your floss isn't too long or it will tangle and most possibly break. There's nothing worse than being in a middle of cross-stitching an area and having your floss tangle beyond repair!

Thread your needle so that you have two strands but do not knot the thread.

Hold the hoop in one hand and the needle in your 'handwriting' hand. Most directions will say to hold the hoop in your left and the needle in your right. But if you're left-handed, this is not a good technique. Therefore, use the hand that you write with, which is your strongest, to guide your needle. Don't grip the needle tightly.

Your hoop has an adjustment screw that tightens the hoop to your Aida cloth. Make sure that the screw is out of the way of stitching because it can catch your thread and tear it.

All cross-stitch is a series of X's and all Aida is a piece of cloth made up of lots of tiny squares. Find your center and then place the needle behind the fabric. Insert the needle in the hole. Place your other hand behind the material and place your finger on the thread as you slowly pull it with your other hand. In this way, you can tell how much thread you have so that you don't pull it all the way out. Leave at least ½ inch on the back. Once you enter the needle for the second time, you can secure the excess thread by making certain that it is underneath the next stitch.

If you have problems putting the needle into the next hole, you can always flip over the hoop and look at the back. When you become more experienced, then you'll be able to do this in your sleep!

Make certain that your needle is insert into the 'hole' rather than the fabric. It also shouldn't penetrate any threads or go between the threads that are already stitched. When you know that you have correctly inserted it, bring your stitching hand to the top and pull it slowly through.

Other Stitches

Half stitch-draw the thread across the square that you are working diagonally. Insert the needle's tip and take your stitching hand to the fabric's back and pull the needle and floss through the hole in the upper right hand corner. Be sure to leave the floss' end on the back of the fabric. Don't pull tight and leave the floss a little loose.

Second Half Stitch-Usually if there's a half stitch then there will be a second one. Flip your hoop over and insert the needle in the lower right corner of the square, directly below the top of the half stitch. Draw the needle and floss up to the top of the hoop. Flip the hoop back over and keep your needle in your stitching hand.

Quarter Stitch- This looks like a half stitch but it's stitched into the center of an Aida square. They are used to create petite cross-stitch.

Three Quarter Stitch - This is made up of a half stitch and a quarter stitch.

Back Stitch- This is used to make lines around cross-stitch and to stitch letters and wording. Some designs that are composed entirely of back stitch such as Black work embroidery. This technique uses variations of the backstitch to create intricate designs, typically using black or a single color.

Finishing

Finishing An Area

Flip your hoop over so that you can view the backside. Slip the needle under the back of the stitch and put the floss through. Tighten the floss and snip the existing "tail" and the floss in the needle, leaving about ½".

Finishing Project

Use your needle to adjust floss as needed or to pull on the floss end to tighten the stitch up.

And wa-la, you have your first complete cross-stitch project. While learning, keep your projects simple. There are plenty of stamped cross-stitch and simple cross-stitch patterns on the Internet that will help you. You will find cross-stitching quite enjoyable, addictive and a wonderful de-stressor at the end of a hectic day. Happy stitching!

SOURCES:
"Better HOmes and Gardens Cross Stitch & Needlework" October/1997
" Travel the World with Cross Stitch Book" by Lesley Teare