Cross Stitch for Beginners: Kits and Technique | Craft and Canvas
Cross stitch is built on a single stitch repeated across a grid. Every stitch makes an X shape. The image emerges from those X shapes arranged in rows, colour by colour. It is one of the most accessible needlecrafts there is, and one of the most satisfying to watch develop.
At Craft and Canvas in Hebden Bridge we stock cross stitch kits, Aida fabric, and the full range of DMC Mouliné thread. Everything you need is here.
How cross stitch works
Cross stitch is worked on an evenweave fabric — most commonly Aida cloth, which has a visible grid of holes that makes it easy to count and place stitches accurately. Each square of the Aida grid corresponds to one cross stitch.
To make the stitch, bring the needle up through the bottom-left hole of the square, down through the top-right, then up through the bottom-right and down through the top-left. That completes the X. Work a row of stitches in one direction first (all the bottom-left to top-right diagonals), then work back across the row to complete each X. This gives a neater, more even finish than completing each cross individually as you go.
Designs are worked from a chart: a grid where each coloured square represents one cross stitch in the corresponding thread colour. Charts come with kits or can be purchased separately; there are also many free charts available online.
Kits
We stock cross stitch kits in two formats. Hoop kits come with printed Aida already mounted in a hoop, thread, and a needle — everything ready to stitch straight from the packet, from £9.99. Starter kits contain thread, needle, and a small piece of Aida for your first practice piece, from £2.99. Both are good entry points; the hoop kit gives you a finished piece you can put straight on the wall.
Thread
DMC Mouliné Spécial stranded cotton is the standard cross stitch thread. We stock over 500 colours at £1.55 each. Each skein has six strands; cross stitch on 14-count Aida (the most common weight) typically uses two strands. The count refers to the number of stitches per inch — 14-count gives a medium stitch size, 18-count is finer, 11-count is larger and easier to see.
DMC threads are colour-coded with a numbering system, and charts specify threads by number. When you buy additional thread for a project in progress, the number ensures you get the exact same colour.
Getting the tension right
The main thing to watch when you are learning is tension. Cross stitches should lie flat on the surface of the Aida without pulling the fabric. If you pull too tight the fabric distorts and the grid warps, making it harder to count. If the stitches are too loose they look untidy. Aim for consistent, relaxed tension — the needle gliding through the holes rather than being forced.
Using a hoop to keep the fabric under tension while you stitch makes this easier. The hoop holds the Aida flat and square, giving you a stable surface to work on.
Counting and keeping your place
The main challenge in cross stitch is keeping count accurately. A miscounted stitch shifts everything that follows it. Most people find it helpful to start in the centre of a design rather than a corner, working outward. Centre marks are printed on most charts. Find the centre of your fabric by folding it in half both ways and marking the fold point with a pin or a small stitch in a contrasting colour.
Use a ruler or highlighter tape on the chart to keep track of your row. Highlighter tape is repositionable and lets you move your marker as you progress without damaging the chart.
Finishing
When a piece is finished it is usually washed gently to remove any handling marks, allowed to dry flat, and then framed or mounted. Small pieces sit well in embroidery hoops — the same ones you stitched in make perfectly good frames. For larger pieces, a standard picture frame with a piece of mount board works well. Trim the Aida to leave a border of a few centimetres, lace the fabric over the mount board, and frame.
We are at 3 Carlton Street in Hebden Bridge. If you want to see the thread range in person, come in — the wall of DMC colours is one of the more enjoyable parts of starting a new project.
Frequently asked questions
What count Aida should I start with?
14-count is the standard recommendation for beginners. The holes are easy to see and the stitch size is comfortable to work with. 18-count is finer and suits smaller, more detailed designs; 11-count is larger and good if you find fine work difficult to see.
How much thread do I need for a project?
Kits include the right quantity. For your own designs, the general rule is that one skein of DMC covers roughly 4m² of stitching on 14-count Aida with two strands. Most patterns estimate thread quantities if you are working from a chart without a kit.
Can I use embroidery thread for cross stitch?
Yes — DMC Mouliné is used for both embroidery and cross stitch. The thread is the same; what changes is the fabric and the stitch technique.
How do I start and finish a thread without a knot?
The standard method is the loop start: fold a length of thread in half, thread the folded end through the needle, and when you make your first stitch, pass the needle through the loop on the back of the fabric. This anchors the thread without a knot. To finish, run the needle under a few stitches on the back before trimming.
How do I fix a mistake?
Carefully unpick the stitches with a seam ripper or small scissors, working on the back of the fabric. Aida is forgiving — the holes re-form once the thread is removed. Re-stitch from the corrected point.
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