Cross Stitch

Cross Stitch is a very simple stitch to work. Try to keep a nice even tension for each stitch letting the floss rest upon the fabric. Do not pull the fabric threads out of shape with stitches that are pulled too tight.

Try to develop a rhythm for untwisting the thread by twisting your needle every so often as you stitch to keep both strands of floss flat.

Each stitch is indicated on the chart by a different symbol for each color of floss.

Be sure to have all of the stitches cross in the same direction. The top stitch should run from the upper left corner to the bottom right corner of the square.

When ending threads, run thread under at least 3 or 4 stitches. No knots are used in cross stitch. See the instructions for Securing Thread and Ending Thread for the various ways, that avoid the use of knots.

Try to work Quarter Stitches at the beginning and ends of rows for neatness.

Another way to begin a new thread is to run thread under several completed stitches on the back, looping back around the last stitch gently, to secure new thread. Do not run a new dark thread under lighter thread stitches as the new thread may show through.

Mistakes--It is important to fix mistakes so that all areas of the chart will match up. Carefully remove all incorrect stitches. If the floss is damaged, it is better to restitich with new floss.

Minor mistakes may be left in place if they will not be noticeable in the overall design.

You can avoid counting mistakes by stitching color areas right next to each other. The tendency to miscount occurs when you try to same color areas and incorrectly count the empty spaces in between.