Learn Cross Stitch In 5
Minutes
Counted cross stitch is
easy to learn! Print out this graph and instructions and share it
with others.
great for classes!
Counted cross stitch
transfers a design from a printed graph onto evenweave fabric (Aida
Cloth).
The stitcher uses embroidery floss to place X's on the fabric
corresponding to symbols on the chart.
Each symbol on the chart represents one X on the fabric. The
different styles of symbols on the
chart represent different colors of floss. Cross stitch is easy to
learn and requires only a few supplies.
Graph. This is the pattern or design you chose to
stitch. There are thousands to choose from or
you can use PHOTO PATTERNS to make your photo or art work into a
cross stitch graph.
Evenweave fabric (Aida
Cloth). The fabric for cross stitch is woven in an even manner so
that
you know exactly where to place your needle. To keep the fabric from
raveling either sew the
edges on a sewing machine or use Fray Stop to prevent
fraying.
Needle. A
tapestry needle is used, usually a size 24 or 26 (size 26 is smaller
than size 24). This
type of needle has a blunt point and a large eye. Use a size 24 for
stitching on 14 count fabric;
use a size 26 for fabric with a stitch count greater than
14.
Floss. Embroidery floss
is a cotton thread used for stitching. Floss has 6 strands, but
usually you
will use only 2 strands at a time for stitching and 1 strand for
backstitching. On Hardanger
fabric (22 count) you usually will use only 1 strand; on 11 count
Aida use 3 strands to stitch and
2 to backstitch. Most books and graphs suggest either DMC or Anchor
brands.
Embroidery hoop.
A plastic embroidery hoop is helpful to hold the fabric while you
stitch. Remove
the fabric from the hoop when you are not stitching to keep from
getting 'hoop marks.'
NOTE:
Phorto Patterns suggests that you use a floor stand that rolls the
floss from a top to bottom roll.
Hoops just dont work good for doing a photo to cross stitch as it
disturbes the floss you have stitched.
Scissors. You can start out with any pair of scissors, but
pretty soon you will want to get a
nice pair of small embroidery scissors. Get a good quality pair with
sharp points. A good pair of
scissors makes stitching a lot more fun.
Choosing Your
Fabric, There are dozens of
fabrics to choose from. They will all work,
so you just have to decide on what you like. White or ivory Aida 14
is the most common and 14
count is an easy fabric to start on. The number of stitches per inch
will determine the finished size
of the design. A design that is 28 stitches wide stitched on Aida 14
(14 stitches per inch fabric)
will be 2" wide. The same design will be 2 1/2" wide on Aida 11, and
1 1/4" stitched on hardanger
(22 stitches per inch). Thankfully, most designs show design sizes
for different counts of fabrics.
Be sure to allow extra fabric for finishing (at least 4" extra on
length and width).
NOTE:
When doing a photo cross stitch, PHOTO PATTERNS will sugest the
stitch count depending
on the photo used.
To Begin, Find the center of the graph. For most
patterns this is shown with arrows or a bold line.
Next, find the center of your fabric. An easy way to do this is to
fold the fabric in half vertically and
"pinch" with your finger to make a small crease. Open the fabric,
fold in half horizontally and make
another "pinch". Open the fabric up. The two creases will mark the
center of the fabric. Most
stitchers like to start stitching close to the center of the design.
For the "I Like You" graph, start
with the pink balloon.
NOTE:
PHOTO PATTERNS Recomends starting at the top left of the project so
you wont have your hand
resting on the stitching you have completed and get it
soiled.
Knots on the back will
show through, so do not use any knots to start or end. To begin
stitching,
bring the threaded needle up from the back of the fabric leaving
about a 1" tail of thread behind
the fabric. Stitch the next 5 or 6 stitches over the tail. Clip off
extra thread. To end off, weave
your needle back through the last 5 or 6 stitches and clip the thread
short so as not to
leave a loose tail.
Stitching, There are two methods. The first method
is to work a row of half stitches (////),
then work back (\\\\) to complete the X's. Use this method for most
stitching. The second method
is to complete each X as you go. Use this method for vertical rows of
stitches. PHOTO PATTERNS
recomends the full X in doing our patterns.
It is most
important that all the X's are crossed in the same direction. That
is, the top thread
of the X should always slant in the same direction (either \ or /).
It does not matter which way they
slant, but if they are mixed the finished piece will look
uneven.
Relax as you
stitch. Your stitches should lay flat on your fabric and not distort
the holes or the fabric.
Backstitching, Backstitching is a running stitch (not an X) used to
outline an area or to form
lettering. In the graph, the words "I Like You" and the strings on
the balloons are done in backstitch.
Normally you use one less strand of floss for backstitching than you
use for cross stitching.
Carrying Your Thread,
Sometimes a color will have
only a few stitches and then "jump"
to another area. Most of the time you should end off and start again,
other times you can carry
the thread along the back. Just jumping from area to area is easier
than starting and stopping,
but sometimes the thread will show through. This can be a problem if
you jump a dark thread
over an unstitched area of light fabric. In general, you can carry
the thread to another area if the
jump is short, the floss color is light, and you are jumping over a
previously stitched area. In
the "I Like You" graph, the white highlights on the three balloons
can be done by starting
at the top balloon, jumping to the middle balloon, and then jumping
to the bottom balloon.
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