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CROSS STITCH
Cross Stitch
Paint a picture, one X at a time
Can't draw? No worries. With a chart and a palette of coloured threads, each stitch becomes a brushstroke, bringing your subject to life one cross at a time.
This is the home of everything cross stitch on the site: how to start, what you need, patterns to stitch, and how to finish and frame your work. Whatever stage you're at, there's a path below for you.
New to cross stitch? You don't need any experience, just a needle, some thread and ten quiet minutes.
Learn how to cross stitch →A friendly, step-by-step guide to your very first stitches.
My first attempt
I found the craft one lazy summer afternoon. I'd bought the basics and a simple angel pattern, certain I'd make a mess of it.
The shop owner, Rita, must have seen the doubt on my face. She took the hoop from my hands and said, "Don't pull the thread so tight, dear. You have to let it breathe."
That night, with her words in my ear, I made one stitch. Then another. I was back the moment her shop opened the next morning.
It was the start of everything: the quiet pop of a needle, a single piece of advice, and a beginning that simple is waiting for you, too.
Start here
Brand new to cross stitch? Start with these and you'll be making confident stitches in no time.
Fabric & supplies
The few simple bits and pieces you need to begin, and how to choose the right ones.
New here? Start with my full guide to choosing embroidery fabric, then pick a type below.
Aida Cloth
The beginner's fabric. Compare 11, 14, 16 and 18 count.
Read more →Linen & Evenweave
Ready to move beyond Aida? Working over two threads on evenweave and linen.
Read more →Waste Canvas
Stitch onto clothes and other fabrics, then remove the canvas.
Read more →Embroidery Floss
Stranded cotton explained: how many strands to use, and how to keep your threads tidy.
Read more →Tools & planning
Work out sizes, design your own charts, and keep every project organised.
Cross Stitch Calculator
Enter your design size and fabric count for instant finished measurements.
Read more →Graph Paper
Free printable grids in 10, 11, 14, 16 and 18 count for designing your own charts.
Read more →Project Planner
Keep your ideas, threads and notes for every project together in one place.
Read more →Techniques
Ready to go beyond the basic stitch? A handful of skills that add polish and detail.
Reversible Cross Stitch
Get a back as neat as the front, perfect for bookmarks and linens.
Read more →Single Cross Stitch
How to work a lone cross neatly, and carry the thread so it doesn't show through.
Read more →Embellished Cross Stitch
Add beads, charms and special threads to lift a finished design.
Read more →Fractional Stitches
Half, three-quarter and quarter stitches for adding finer detail.
Read more →Finishing & care
Once the stitching is done, how to wash, frame and make up your work beautifully.
Patterns to stitch
Something to put your new skills to, from free charts to downloadable designs.
Free Cross Stitch Patterns
A collection of free charts to download and stitch.
Read more →Downloadable Patterns
Instant-download PDF charts with clear, easy-read keys.
Read more →Celtic Cross Stitch
Four designs for the elements: earth, air, fire and water.
Read more →Wildlife Cross Stitch
Badgers, foxes, deer and a heron to download and stitch.
Read more →Ask your cross stitch questions
Need some information about cross stitch, but not sure where to go? Ask them here, or help answer other visitor's queries.
What Other Visitors Have Said
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
How do I follow a cross stitch chart 
I’m starting cross stitch for the first time, as an 86 year old male! My design is not printed on the Aida.
If you complete a line and when you transfer …
Backing a cross stitched baby quilt
Hi Carol, I have just discovered your website and find it very useful! Much easier to understand than kit instructions. Currently, I am stitching a stamped …
how to fix a cross stitch when I have miscounted
I am doing this counted cross stitch. it is of muted green colours which represent soft foilage. I have counted and counted, I think I have old eyes. …
single cross stitch
How do I start and finish a single cross stitch, without running the floss over an empty area to start another x?
That is a great question, Kim. …
How do you finish a cross-stitch afghan
I'm half-way through making an afghan for my new grand-daughter (using Q snaps for a hoop) and I'm wondering how to finish it when it's done. Should you …
The back of a cross stitch piece
I love working on the picture, and this is my 5th picture using 50+ colors. My question is what does everyone else's backside look like?
I read that …
cross stitch baby quilt
I am cross stitching a stamped baby quilt. How do I finish my threads and not show at the back of the quilt?
embellished cross stitch
I've been seeing some cross stitch kits online that say they are embellished. What exactly does that mean?
Complex cross stitch patterns 
I have cross stitched for over 20 years. Most of the things i have done have big areas of one color.
I am now doing a very complex pattern where there …
How many hours stitching per day? Not rated yet
How many hours a day is it alright to embroider? To cross stitch in particular?
I get quite carried away sometimes and I know it's not good for back …
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