I love to Cross Stitch. It was my gateway into Embroidery. It wasn't until many years later that I discovered Counting Pins. So I created 7 Sets of Counting Pins and they are one of the most popular items in my
Etsy Shop. I think its about time I show you how to use them. I think you'll find them to be pretty neat.
Counting Pins will keep you from the dreaded Frog, you know... rip it, rip it, rip it.
- They help you keep your place on your pattern.
- They can create lots of stopping and starting points on your project.
- They can help you mark your Aida cloth without worrying about pens that stain.
- Best of all, you only have to count your row of stitching once!
I have lots of fun styles to choose from.
A.
Mini HeartsB. Pastel Flowers
C. Yellow Daisy Dots Flowers
D. Mini White Flowers
E. White Daisy Dot Flowers
F. Mini Flowers in Jewel Tones
G. Mini Millefiori
All Counting Pins come in 5 pin Assortments.
If you are a beginner you will find lots of tutorials on the Web. Its always nice to see someone actually doing what you want to learn. I will take you through a few basics here. Most patterns will give you a quick lesson. But the best teacher is experience.
This tutorial will give you a good overview of tools and tips along with many of my favorite shops and websites full of tons of inspiration and valuable information. Cross Stitching is so easy and fun!
Tools you will need to get started
- A Pattern
- Aida Cloth ~ 14 Count is pretty standard. I have seen 16 and 18. The larger the number the small your final project will be.
- Scissors
- Tapestry Needles Size 24
- 6 Strand Cotton Embroidery Floss. You will find a list of DMC color numbers on your pattern.
- Optional- Counting Pins for Stitching
- Optional- Embroidery Hoop
PatternsAs you can see, patterns are printed large, so you can read them easier. Your finished project size may be shown on your pattern, as shown above. Sometimes with free patterns you have to count your pattern and Aida to figure it out. Most commercial patterns will show the finished size. Most patterns can be digitally downloaded. Order patterns from all over the world and have them in minutes. It's amazing!
The pattern above is from Little Beach Hut and is designed by Sara. She lives and works in the United Kingdom. She was kind enough to share her design with me. This one is called Butterfly.
She has so many adorable patterns in her Etsy Shop. You can find an axolotl, puffins, otters, a narwhal and other cute critters. She also has kits including Cat Kits that can be customized. You can find some pretty embroidery scissors as well. Take a look!
There is no shortage of Cross Stitch Kits. I used a free pattern from the Country Living website to create the bee hive you will find in some of my photos. You can find lots of beginner kits. They are normally small in size and often the elements are more compact. That is not to say they are boring! Take a look at Velvet Pony Design. One of the most classic patterns in Cross Stitch is a Sampler.
Here are some fun Etsy shops to find more patterns.
Nathnolu
Cherry Hill Stitchery
Velvet Pony Design
Geeky Stitching Company
Little Stitchers Shop
Little Dove Samplers
This beautiful little bird pattern is called Flower Winter Bird. It is designed by Oksana and her shop is Nathnolu. It has some lovely color changes, sure to keep you on your toes, but the results will be beautiful. She is from Cypress! I just love how the joy of creating is a worldwide passion.
This lovely Pattern is from Cherry Hill Stitchery. I love how the cross stitch design has been make into a pincushion. This is a 2 pattern set. You can find many more of her sweet patterns on Etsy. Cherry Hill Stitchery also has a wonderful website here. This pattern will be mailed as a paper pattern set. She also has a variety of downloadable patterns. Her designs and other cross stitch supplies ship from the United States.
This beautiful robin pattern is from
Velvet Pony Design. Mila has so many amazing patterns in her Etsy shop. She even has an option to create a
custom cross stitch design of your pet! She creates in Turkey!
When you are ready for a sampler pattern, which is totally a cross stitch classic, you will find some beautiful patterns at the
Little Stitchers Shop. Check out her
Christmas patterns! Its not to early to start some gifts for the holidays! Laura creates her beautiful patterns in Italy.
Aida Cloth
Aida is the standard for cross stitch. Most patterns call for 14 count. That means there are 14 stitches per inch. You can find Aida in other sizes, from size 6 to 18. The Snuggly Monkey shop that has lots of choices and a wide variety of supplies. Here is the Snuggly Monkey website. It has lots of cross stitch supplies. But wait...there's more! You can find Aida cloth with a grid for easy stitching. The grid washes out once you are done with your project. Aida cloth comes in many colors as well. It is even available in hand dyed colors and printed designs like cool galaxy Aida at Kitty Bloom Studios. You can find Aida cloth at most craft stores as well.
You might want to stick with the recommended stitch count shown on the pattern. But if you want to get crazy, try a different size. Keep in mind that the larger the stitch count number, the smaller your finished project will be.
I recommend that you use the color shown on your pattern. But, if you feel a bit adventurous, keep in mind that if you change the Aida color you might need to change some of the embroidery floss colors as well.
You can cross stitch on Even Weave or Linen fabric. The weave is much smaller and it may be a bit harder to find where to place your stitches for cross stitching. Its so pretty and may be something to add to your embroidery stash. Here is a 32 count Belfast Linen from the Snuggly Monkey shop.
Scissors
Any sharp scissors will do, but why wouldn't you want to spoil yourself and get a cute llama or unicorn embroidery scissors. They are perfect for the task at hand.
These adorable Llama scissors are from
Crafty Wool Felt. This is one of my go-to shops when I need special embroidery threads.
Tapestry Needles
Tapestry needles are often recommended for Cross Stitching. Size 24 is nice and fine, but not too small. They have a blunt end. This helps you to find the hole without splitting a stitch on the Aida. To be honest, I love to use an embroidery needle. I find that they are easier to thread and the embroidery thread doesn't slip out when I'm stitching. Try a few different sizes until you find something you love to stitch with.
6 Strand Embroidery Floss
The go-to brand of 6 strand embroidery floss is DMC. Their colors are fade resistant and there are over 505 colors to choose from. You can download a free color chart from Lord Libidan's website. You can find lots of cool Cross Stitching tools and inspiration on that website.
Embroidery Floss comes in skeins that are 8 meters or 8.7 yards. Each thread from the skein has 6 strands. Most patterns call for 2 strands for stitching. I like to separate my strands from the middle to lessen tangling. Some pull one strand from the end at a time and then put 2 strands together. I say, do what works for you. When doing standard embroidery I often use 1 strand or 3 strands depending on how dark of a stitch I desire. You do you.
There are many types of embroidery floss. The standard is 100% cotton. Its easy to use and most patterns call for this brand. DMC also makes a few lovely variations on this floss. Their cotton floss also comes in variegated colors. You will find 4 complementary colors in a single strand. Etoile is 100% cotton and twinkles with lurex glitter. Light Effects has a pretty sparkle and is made from 100% polyester. Its very pretty but tends to tangle so use shorter lengths when stitching. DMC makes a pretty Satin thread which adds a bit of luxury to your projects. Studio-KoeKoek from Amsterdam has a nice description of each. That site also has lots of info and inspiration for new and experienced stitchers. Other floss makers will have different color names. Some manufactures offer other variations of embroidery floss. Au Ver a Sole in silk is beautiful and can be found at Crafty Wool Felt on Etsy.
This DMC Variegated Floss. I normally use the colors that are close in range to add interest to large color areas. DMC has other Variegated colors in colors that may vary from purple to green. Those are tricky to use in cross stitch but are useful in free hand embroidery.
Often a pattern will call for a color that you may not have. I give you permission to use the color you have if you love it and it coordinates with the pattern. I have nearly every color of DMC's floss and I sometimes am without that one color. I'm a rebel and I tend to love to add my personal touch to everything I do. The trick is to organize your floss from the start. I use bobbins to store them and each bobbin is labeled with the color name.
Counting Pins (optional)
Counted cross stitch involves a lot of counting. Its easy but it can be daunting for larger and complex patterns. You can get lost in a row of stitching and have to recount your stitches again and again. Some marking pens which say they are removable can stain your cloth. Sometimes its nice to have a little tool to help you from wasting time or getting frustrated. That is where Counting Pins come in. They are also great for marking your place on a pattern. My Counting Pins are 1 3/8 inches , extra fine and come in a 5 pin assortment. I have 7 styles with cute tops.
You can use standard sewing pins or find Counting pins in much larger and very elaborate styles. Some are up to 2 inches long and come with little stoppers on the end. When designing my pins I worried that larger pins may distort the Aida and create large holes in the cloth. My pins are small enough not to catch the thread as you are stitching. Its up to you to decide which style works best for you.
Embroidery Hoops (optional)
Using an embroidery hoop is a personal preference. They help to keep your fabric taut while you work which makes for a stellar finished project. They are easy to hang on to while stitching. They make adorable frames for finished projects. You will need much more Aida for each project as your design must fit inside and you need extra cloth to hold in the hoop. I find that hoops get in my way and can sometimes leave creases in the cloth that are nearly impossible to remove. I also find that it gets in my way and snags my threads. If you are beginner, give one a try to see if you find it helpful or not. Keep in mind that embroidery hoops come in a wide variety of styles and sizes and can be used for so many projects.
Mable and Mable carries these pretty embroidery hoops for stitching projects. They also carry craft supplies, home decor and personalized items.
Lets Start a Cross Stitch Project!
Gather your tools. I like to keep a small container handy to place needles and threads in so its easy to travel with your project of put it away for the day. Read any special instructions for your pattern.
Cutting the Aida cloth
Your final project size often is shown on your cross stitch pattern. If you know the size of your final project add 2 inches on every side. You will want your cloth to be larger that the final project. If you are using an embroidery hoop, find a hoop that fits your pattern and then cut your Aida cloth 2 inches larger than the outer dimensions of your hoop.
I found a nifty calculator on Lord Libidan, but there are many on the web. Just put in your pattern info and it will tell you exactly what size to cut your Aida. So cool.
Do not measure your pattern size! Patterns are enlarged so you can see them clearly. The final project may be lots smaller than the pattern depending on your Aida stitch count.
Some free patterns will not show the final size. If it gives the total stitch count in height and width, you simply need to figure the total inches and divide that by the number of stitches per inch on your Aida cloth. Say my pattern is 42 stitches high and my project calls for 14 count Aida. 42 divided by 14 is 3. My project will be 3 inches high. Do the same to determine the width of your project. I like to mark the center and outer dimensions with counting pins. Below is a free pattern from Country Living. See how I found the center and the size to cut my Aida Cloth.
To find the center of your Aida divide total size of your cloth in half, top to bottom and side to side. I like to use a pencil and mark the center on the back of the Aida cloth so you can refer to it later especially if you are not using counting pins. Then find the center of your pattern. If the center is not marked for you, just fold your pattern in half top to bottom and side to side.
Before cutting your Aida, don't forget to add extra space on each side for stitching, hooping and framing.
Lets get stitching.
Have all the floss colors required for your project. I like to wind mine on labeled bobbins.
Take a look at the pattern key which may show you which type of stitch goes where.
- An X or if a square on the pattern is filled in with one color, that indicates a full Cross Stitch.
- A dash normally means a Half stitch.
- A half dash is a quarter stitch. To create a Quarter stitch pierce the space diagonally between 2 holes in the Aida. See the image below.
- A Three Quarter stitch combines a full half stitch and a Quarter stitch. Do the quarter stitch first and then the half stitch.
- A Back stitch is normally a line that can span from one space to any other space on your project. Its a perfect stitch for outlining a shape on your design.
Find your starting point. I like to begin with the largest shape in the image. To find how to determine where your first stitch goes, find the center of the pattern. Count up and across the number of stitches to find the location on your Aida cloth and place your first stitch.
Cut a 15 inch strand of floss in the color determined by your pattern. Split the 6 strands into 2. Thread them onto your needle. Although cross stitch purists will tell you there are not knots in cross stitch, I make a knot at one end.
From the back, insert the needle into the holes in the Aida cloth. Draw your thread up. Find the first hole to the right and place your stitch in the next hole up to create a half cross stitch. From the back insert the needle in the hole directly under the hole you just came from. Make your next half cross stitch in the hole above your first stitch to create a X. This is the only stitch you will need for most projects.
Here are a few more you might need.
A. Cross Stitch
B. Half Stitch
C. Quarter Stitch
D. Three Quarter Stitch
E Back Stitch
If you always stitch from left to right on your first stitch and then right to left for your second stitch your work will look much neater when you are finished. I also recommend keeping the back of your work tidy as well. Keep any knots small. when you are finished, bring your thread to the back of your work and work it under a few stitches on the back. No need to knot. Unless you launder your project, those threads will not work loose.
Here is a speedy tip for long rows of stitching. Instead of completing a full X for each stitch, start by only making the first half of the stitch from left to right all the way down the row. When you get to the end of the row, complete each half stitch from right to left. This works for single color rows only.
Stitching Tips
When you draw your floss through Aida cloth, it tends to wear it down and thin it out. Don't try to save floss by stitching to the very end of your thread. Once you get down to the last 4-5 inches or so, finish that thread and start a new one and begin stitching again.
If your floss starts to knot, stop stitching. Lift your project and let the needle and floss dangle. It will automatically untwist.
Save your unused floss for another project. I recommend putting your floss on a bobbin. Be sure to mark the color number on the bobbin so you can identify it in the future. Before you know it you will have a nice collection of embroidery floss.
If you find an error in your project, don't get too upset. I like things to look handmade. I sometimes leave some errors in my work and embrace their imperfection. But, if it is an error you need to fix, take a deep breath and just get to it. You may need to unstitch more stitches than just the one mistake. If you don't, your work might unravel. Clip the floss right on the mistake. Using your needle or a stylus, unpick a few stitches until you have at least an inch of floss on the back of your work. Restitch your work right by the floss end. Take care not to pull that loose thread back to the front of the work. Once your work is fixed, you can secure those loose ends by pulling them under a few stitches. A tiny crochet hook will make the job easier!
Take your time and enjoy the process. If you are getting tired or frustrated, take a break. Its easy to make mistakes when your eyes are blurry. Your project will be right there waiting for you when you are rested.
There are so many wonderful cross stitch tutorials on the web. Check a few of them out, watch a few videos and before you know it you will know all the little tips and tricks there are for creating beautiful cross stitch projects. You will find techniques for finishing and framing your beautiful work.
Here are some ideas for using Counting Pins for Stitching.
Counting pins save you time. When I start a row, I count all the stitches for the color of floss I am using. Once you know where to start that row, begin your first stitch. Then count all the stitches in that row. Mark the end of the row with a pin. See Figure A above.
I also like to mark all the rows for that particular color. Once I have stitched all the rows I can simply stop when I get to the pin. See Figure B above.
I also like to use my pins for keeping track of my progress directly on my pattern. Its nice to leave a pin on your pattern to mark where you finish at the end of a stitching session.
Its nice to have pins handy while working on a project. Because the Aida cloth is cut much larger than the finished project, you can park them on the borders of your cloth. You can also park them on your pattern or even a handy pincushion.
Now Get Stitching and Have Fun!
Don't hesitate to learn cross stitching. It is really a lovely hobby. Its a fun thing to teach your kids or grand kiddos.
Any form of "slow stitching" is good for the soul. I really love the rhythm of embroidery. It can be so soothing. It is great exercise for the brain. Just imagine all those new neuron connections you'll be growing!
Cross Stitch projects are a great traveling companion. Stitching is a great way to pass the time. Just pack everything up in a project or make-up bag and off you go.
There may be times when you may have bitten off more than you can chew, or stitch. I give you permission to put that project away, forever if need be. But don't give up. Pick a small design for your next project. Let it teach you some new skill and build your confidence.
I enjoyed Cross Stitching so much that it lead me to free hand embroidery. If you have seen my
gallery page you will know that I learned to love all kinds of embroidery. If you want to learn lots of new embroidery techniques, visit my
Stitch Tutorial page.
Display your works! Enjoy the fruits of your labor. Share your creations
with your friends and family. I think handmade gifts are the best!
Happy Cross Stitching!
Jill
If you would like a 4 page PDF abridged version of
How To Use Counting Pins for Cross Stitch, find them here!
I have lots of decorative pins at Fiberluscious on Etsy
They make great additions to your pincushion. They come in 5 and 10 Pin Assortments and make great gifts! Here are a few of my most popular sets. Find more here.
