Start Stitching

To begin, cut about 18" of embroidery floss, and pull out the required number of threads (usually 2) one at a time- and thread your needle. Use one of the following methods to start your stitching:

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Thread Tail Start:

Bring the needle up through the fabric, leaving about 1/2" (2cm) of thread on the reverse side, and work over this with your first few stitches to secure it.

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Loop Start (this is my preferred way to start as it’s so easy and tidy)

Separate 1 strand of floss, twice as long as you normally use. Fold the floss in half, and thread the 2 loose ends through the eye of your needle. This should make a long tail with a “loop” on the end. Bring your needle up from the back, and down through the front of the fabric to complete the first half of your ‘X’. Turn your work over and thread your needle through the loop.

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Cross Stitch

To make a single cross stitch: bring the needle up through hole 1, down through hole 2, the up through hole 3, and finally down through hole 4.

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The quickest, easiest way is to work rows of full stitches. To work a row of cross stitches: work across the fabric from bottom left to upper right corners, and then back to complete the row of full crosses. Always make sure your X's slant in the same direction.  At some points, it may be necessary to work single full stitches, in areas that require only one cross stitch square. Using both methods of making full cross stitch is fine wherever they are appropriate. 

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Back Stitch

Back Stitch is a row of straight stitches, made with a single embroidery thread. Back Stitches are usually marked on the chart by a thick or colourful outline. The back stitch is not worked until all the cross stitches have been completed.  To make a row of back stitches: bring the needle up at 1, down at 2, up at 3, and down at 4, and so on, as shown on the diagram on the left. Notice that 1 and 4 use the same hole.

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Some people like to make Back Stitches for each and every square. I prefer to use slightly longer Back Stitch where possible. It's much quicker, and I prefer the look of it. I generally stitch over 2-3 squares for each stitch, but around corners and such it should be each and every square as you follow the line on the pattern.

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Partial Stitches

¾ Cross Stitch (sometimes referred to as ½ Stitches)

A ¾ stitch is used when you see 2 colours that share one square on the chart, work two ¾ stitches, one for each colour.  

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Finishing the Thread

To finish stitching, run your thread under several stitches on the reverse side to secure it. Snip the thread close to your stitching.

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Carrying the Thread

Try to keep your work neat- don't run your thread more than 4 or 5 squares at the back of the design. There's a good chance it will show through to the front, your stitch tension won't be even, and it wastes thread.