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When you find a free Cross Stitch pattern online, there are a few tips you should heed to ensure that you get a good copy of the pattern.
1.If you find a pattern you want, print or save it immediately. Do not count on the pattern being there if you return. Websites may change daily and even a bookmark will not direct you to a pattern that has been altered or removed.
2.Many patterns, including those at About Cross Stitch, are in the same format as pictures. Adjust print settings to get a larger, easy-to-read pattern.
3.Using the same technique listed above, experiment to get the key and the pattern to print on the same page if they are separate. Additionally, using “cut and paste” may be an option.
4.To quickly print free patterns designed by Your Cross Stitch Guide, use the “Print this page” option or select the pattern and key and choose the “Print Selection” option for the file.
5.Another option may be to “cut and paste” the pattern and key into another file and print or save that file.
6.If patterns do not print clearly, make certain that the ink cartridge in your printer is not low. Save patterns until you can get a fresh cartridge.
7.Since the ink for most computer printers is not colorfast, protect patterns from moisture. Use report covers or sheet protectors.
8.When you take advantage of free Cross Stitch patterns, remember to respect the copyrights and terms of use for each pattern. Do not make a copy of a pattern unless the site expresses permission to copy patterns. If a friend wants a copy of a pattern, pass the URL along so that he or she can get a legal copy.

As you begin to build up your cross-stitch supplies, you will find yourself needing some sort of organization to keep everything straight. Otherwise you end up with piles of “stuff,” and you won’t be able to find the supplies you need for new projects. Here are some tips and tricks for keeping your cross-stitch supplies organized: General Storage Tips When you are storing your cross-stitch supplies there are some general guidelines to follow. All of your fabrics and flosses should be stored in a cool-dry place. Also, you will want to store your cross-stitch supplies away from heat and direct sunlight, as both will alter the colors of your craft. For some people, shoe boxes are an inexpensive way to store items, but other people want to keep their supplies in something that can be transported. An excellent way to store your supplies is to use a scrapbooking tote. There are places to put scissors, fabric, thread, and more. Usually the totes come with small holders for embellishments and larger areas for hoops. They will help keep all of your supplies organized and in one place. Storing Fabric For many cross-stitch lovers there is the question of what to do with the fabric. Fabric should not be folded, because it is extremely difficult to get creases out of it. Therefore, you need to keep you fabric rolled. One easy way to store your fabric is to save the rolls from paper towels, wrapping paper, and more. You can roll your fabric on those rolls. Just be sure to write down what type of fabric is on it, because it may be some time before you use it again. Storing Floss There are several ways to store floss, and some are more time consuming than others. One of the most common ways to store floss is to wind the floss around the cardboard bobbins and keep them in a plastic storage container. This way the floss can be organized by number (as long as you remember to write the number on the bobbin). It can get time consuming to wind and organize all of the floss colors, and sometimes you will have several skeins of one color. Another tip is to use the small zip lock baggies. You can write the number on the outside of the bag. Some stitchers also punch a hole in the outside of the bag and put them on keyrings to keep colors organized. Storing Multiple Projects Sometimes cross-stitchers like to work on more than one project at once. Without good storage, supplies and projects can get rather confusing. Therefore you need ways to keep your projects separate. One tip is to use a cosmetics travel bag that has several pockets. These pockets will allow you to keep several projects together without mixing up supplies. Also, the extra pockets are great for storing scissors, extra needles, and more. Storing Needles Any crafter that works with needles knows the challenge in storing needles. There are several helpful ways to keep your needles in tow without losing them. Using a plastic container is a helpful way to store needles. You can use old pill bottles, film containers, candy containers, and more. Some crafters also use fabric to store their needles. You can take a scrap of fabric and line up your needles by size. Then roll up the fabric and store them for later use. Another helpful hint is to use a magnet when you are stitching or storing your needles is to use a magnet. The magnet will hold onto your needle when you need to set your stitching project aside or put your needles away. This way they will not have that tendency to get lost.

Cross-stitch is a craft originated in Europe, has a long history. The fourth century, cross-stitching from Turkey by Italy in the European spread, initially in the court of popular, was brought to the people, widely popular in Europe and the United States and Asia and other countries and regions. Cross stitch is first taken out from the cocoon of the silk lines in animal fur fabric on the embroidery, this Cross-stitch in many countries being used to decorate clothing and furniture, as countries have different cultures, as time goes by to form their own style, whether it is embroidery, fabric color or texture, are unique ingenuity. Cross-stitch two to three decades on behalf of the women had been loved in Europe, is now once again receive much attention, for the public favorite, is because it is an easy-to understand the craft, and by different age groups alike.
Cross-stitch in popular known as the “cross-stitch,” or “pick fill embroidery”, is embroidered in a special cloth, the use of its latitude and longitude grid formed by interwoven, different color lines, with criss-cross way of cross-tie the grid, in accordance with all kinds of lively and vivid pattern embroidered patterns. Cross-stitch embroidered method is very simple, just a few minutes you can learn. All you need to spend a little time, patience, and can be done to make you feel a great sense of accomplishment of the Cross-stitch masterpiece.

Cross-stitch was often used together with other stitches. It is sometimes used in crewel embroidery, especially in its more modern derivatives. It is also often used in needlepoint.

A specialized historical form of embroidery using cross-stitch is Assisi embroidery.

There are many stitches which are related to cross-stitch and were used in similar ways in earlier times. The best known are Italian cross-stitch, Celtic Cross Stitch, Irish Cross Stitch, long-armed cross-stitch, Ukrainian cross-stitch and Montenegrin stitch. Italian cross-stitch and Montenegrin stitch are reversible, meaning the work looks the same on both sides. These styles have a slightly different look than ordinary cross-stitch. These more difficult stitches are rarely used in mainstream embroidery, but they are still used to recreate historical pieces of embroidery or by the creative and adventurous stitcher.

The double cross-stitch, also known as a Leviathan stitch or Smyrna cross stitch, combines a cross-stitch with an upright cross-stitch.

Berlin wool work and similar petit point stitchery resembles the heavily shaded, opulent styles of cross-stitch, and sometimes also used charted patterns on paper.

Cross-stitch is often combined with other popular forms of embroidery, such as Hardanger embroidery or blackwork embroidery. Cross-stitch may also be combined with other work, such as canvaswork or drawn thread work. Beadwork and other embellishments such as paillettes, charms, small buttons and speciality threads of various kinds may also be used.

Cross stitching is a meditative form of craft. Reading a pattern and counting out those tiny xes quiets my mind. Stitching takes me away to a peacefull place.
I like the whole process from choosing the cross-stitch chart, material and threads. Right through to the framing whether it’s wall frame or an aperture card.

When a project is done and you look at it you get a excillerating feeling. It is a natural high.

I have been stitching for many years and I never get bored with it.
Do you ever feel the urge to be creative? To make something special with your own two hands? Something you can proudly display? To be admired by all visitors into your home?
If you do, then counted cross stitch is a great way to satisfy that urge! I guarantee that for the majority of you, if you try this craft, the creativity bug will bite; and you’ll become a total cross-stitch addict – just like me!

The art or craft of cross stitch is one of the most popular hobbies in the world. Easy to learn and do, ‘cross stitch’ is simply embroidery stitched with lots of little ‘X’ stitches to create a lovely design. This fun craft is sometimes referred to as ‘counted cross-stitch’ because the pattern and fabric require the crafter to count the number spaces to know where to place the stitches.

Embroidery is classified according to the use of the underlying foundation fabric.

Embroidery styles can be described according to the relationship of stitch placement to the fabric.

In free embroidery, designs are applied without regard to the weave of the underlying fabric. Examples include crewel and traditional Chinese embroidery.

In counted-thread embroidery, patterns are created by making stitches over a pre-determined number of threads in the foundation fabric. Counted-thread embroidery is more easily worked on an even-weave foundation fabric such as embroidery canvas, aida cloth, or specially woven cotton and linen fabrics although non-evenweave linen is used as well. Examples include needlepoint and cross-stitch.

Are you here to learn how to cross stitch. Great! It’s easy, I promise this cross stitch tutorial will cover all the cross stitch basics.

Already know how? Head back to our main cross stitch page for more adventurous projects.

If this is your first try, I would suggest you use 14 count Aida cloth.

The design is counted from a chart, not marked on the fabric in any way. Each square on the chart corresponds to a “woven square” on the fabric with a hole in each corner. Each thread colour is represented by a different symbol on the chart. For example black may be a solid black square symbol, whereas red may be an empty heart shape.

Where do I start?
Starting your stitching in the centre ensures that the design will fit on the fabric. Most charts have the centre marked, either with arrows or a coloured line. Fold the fabric in half, both ways and crease it gently, to mark the centre. You can then put the fabric into an embroidery hoop to keep it taut.

We will use a tapestry needle for cross stitch as it is blunt and will not pierce the fabric threads (or your finger).

If you are stitching on Aida 14, most charts will specify using 2 strands of cotton (floss). Check this video for an easy way to separate the strands from the 6 stranded cotton. Before you pop back here by clicking on the “BACK” button in your browser, check further down that page to find a simple method of starting your thread with the “loop method”.
How to work the cross stitches?

The photo shows what is known as the continental method, this is a good way to learn how to cross stitch. Bring the needle up in the bottom left hole, reinsert it at the top right to create a diagonal stitch. Continue in this way across the row. To complete the stitches on the journey back, bring the needle up in the bottom right and take it back down through the top left hole. Easy!

Tip After working a number of stitches you may find the thread is getting twisted. Just let the needle and thread dangle from your work for a moment or two and it will untwist itself.
How to follow a chart

Welcome back to your learn how to cross stitch lesson. Look at your chart and find the symbol nearest to the centre. On the sample chart I have included here to help you learn how to cross stitch the centre would be the top left of the owls beak. This has the number 2 as its symbol. We will use yellow, as shown in the key below. The number 444 relates to the DMC colour number.

Start by working two cross stitches for the top row of his beak. We then work our way down the design using up the thread colour in our needle, so next we would cross stitch the row of 3 underneath. The next row needs 2 again and then a single stitch finishes his beak.

Ah, well actually it doesn’t! Did you spot the lone cross stitch the other side of the flower stem (the straight line symbols)?

I would stitch this at the same time I worked the row of three crosses. Just miss one hole and place the last yellow stitch where it needs to be. Carrying the thread across the back of one to five stitches is fine, but try to avoid trailing it long distances. It is often better to fasten off and start again if there is a big gap.

Changing colours
Once the beak is complete you need to choose another symbol (colour) and work a block of that. On this design I would pick the empty circle symbol, or light tan colour, and stitch the area underneath and to the left of our owl’s beak. As there are many stitches to work in this colour on the other side of the flower stem I would leave them for a separate piece of thread.

Fastening off
As I finish an area of colour, or run out of thread, I try to fasten off underneath the same colour to avoid it showing through. See the threads page for ways to fasten off your thread.

Outlining with backstitch
The finishing step in our learn how to cross stitch lesson is to outline it with backstitch. Not all designs have backstitch but many do. Normally if you have used 2 strands of thread (floss) for the cross stitch, you will use just 1 strand for the backstitch.

This is where I tend to cheat a little, as I don’t like leaving all the backstitch until last. Once the stitches are worked on both sides of a line that will be outlined I tend to get that backstitching in place. Little and often. If I still have plenty of thread left in my needle I will “park” it out of the way for the time being while I complete more of the cross stitch, picking it up again when needed.

Want to stitch the owl?
If you would like to stitch the owl design I have used as an example for your learn how to cross stitch lesson you will find it, and many more beginners cross stitch kits in the beginners kits section.