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First project: a small motif on 14-count Aida

Pinny, a SewSift mascot

A small chart of one or two colours, stitched in a hoop and finished as a card, bookmark or mini hoop.

First projectBeginner3 to 6 hours
ResearchedSewSift editorialChecked 1 Nov 2026

Step by step

  1. Choose a small chart, about 30 by 30 stitches. DMC offers many free downloadable patterns.
  2. Work out the size: 30 stitches on 14-count is just over 2 inches. Cut the Aida with a generous margin.
  3. Fold the fabric in four to find the centre and match it to the chart's centre arrows.
  4. Stitch the crosses with two strands, one colour at a time.
  5. Add any backstitch with one strand.
  6. Wash gently if needed, press face down on a towel, then mount it in a hoop or a card.

Watch

How to start a cross-stitch project - Tutorial (4:27)
By DMC · Open on YouTube

Chosen from its title and channel: a 4-minute video from DMC on the same topic as this guide. Embedded from YouTube with credit; we don't host it. It only loads when you press play.

All guides ›Cross stitch

Sources

All checked 1 November 2026. We read these; we did not test the products ourselves.

  1. DMC: Explore cross stitch
  2. DMC: How to read a cross stitch chart
  3. The Cross Stitch Guild: FAQs
  4. DMC: How to clean and wash finished needlework
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Researched, sources cited

Specs, manuals, maker pages and owner reports, each with a checked date.

UK prices and shops

GBP inc VAT, with the shop and the date we checked.

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