Cross stitch
Counted embroidery: X-shaped stitches on a grid fabric build a picture from a chart.
What it is
Counted embroidery in which X-shaped stitches on a grid fabric build up a picture, following a chart.
Who it suits
Anyone who likes following a pattern and seeing a picture appear. There is only one main stitch, so it is a very gentle start, including for children.
What you need
14-count Aida, stranded cotton, a blunt tapestry needle, small scissors and a chart. A hoop is optional.
A first project
A small motif of about 30 by 30 stitches, made into a card or mini hoop.
The cross stitch guides
Beginner's guide
What you need
Techniques and stitches
How to read a cross stitch chart
Squares, symbols, the key and the centre arrows: everything on a chart explained.
How to make a full cross stitch
The one stitch you need, worked one at a time (English method) or in rows (Danish method).
Start without a knot: the loop start
Knots make lumps under framed work. The loop start anchors an even number of strands neatly.
Backstitch outlines and fractional stitches
Add crisp outlines and smooth curves with backstitch and quarter or three-quarter stitches.
First project
Mistakes and fixes
Next steps
Sources
All checked 1 November 2026. We read these; we did not test the products ourselves.
