Home | Contact |

68 connected

Home / Contact
Home / Contact
Paypal/ Card USD / EUR
Privacy

EARN MONEY with Offers,Tasks & Surveys

Diamond Painting
Diamond Painting Info
Diamond Painting Kits

Charts

9.50 € /9.95 USD Charts / 2
Stitch pattern from photo


Articles
Articles


Email updates
Get updates by email:
Shops and distributors
UK Webshops
US Shops / 2
US Retailers / 2  
Distributors / DS2

Designer Links
Designer Links
/ 2
Scrapbooking designers

Charts and Kits
Cross Stitch Designers
Cross Stitch Kit Shops
Free Cross Stitch Patterns
Mirabilia Kits / 2 / 3
Mirabilia Corrections
Lavender & Lace
Dimensions Kits / 2 / 3 / 4

Christmas Kits
Sewing Kits
Heaven & Earth Kits
Needlepoint Kits
Told in a Garden
Tobin Kits / 2
Mill Hill Kits
Vervaco Kits / 2 / 3
Candamar Kits / 2 / 3
Plastic Canvas Kits / 2 / 3
Imaginating Charts / 2 / 3 / 4
Janlynn Kits / 2 / 3
Riolis Kits / 2 / 3
RTO Kits / 2
Passione Ricamo / Free
Nora Corbett / 2
Butternut Road

Cross stitch fabrics
Aida, lugana, zweigart
Aida Fabric
Best Aida Fabric Brand
More Cross Stitch Fabrics
Aida, Evenweave, Lugana, Linen
Cross Stitch On Linen Or Evenweave / 2
Aida & Other fabrics
Cross Stitch Fabrics / 2

Fabric Count in Cross Stitch
Permin
Linen/Evenweave Fabric Calculator

Aida Fabric Calculator
Cross Stitch Calculator /2 /3 /4 /5 /6

Cross Stitch Calculator 7 /8 /9 /10

Cross Stitch
Cross Stitch Articles
Cross Stitch Charts
Cross Stitch Tips /2 /3 /4
Cross Stitch Stores
Cross Stitch Guide
Cross Stitch Guide For Beginners
Cross Stitch For Beginners /2
Cross Stitch Booklet /2
Cross Stitch Videotutorials
Cross Stitch Videotutorials 2
History of Cross Stitch
How To C/Stitch /2 /3 /4 /5 /6 /7
How To C/Stitch 8 /9 /10 /11 /12
How To C/Stitch 13 /14 /15 /16 /17
How To C/Stitch That WIll Last
Cross Stitch Skein Estimator / 2
How To C/Stitch Over Multiple Threads
How To Make Money With C/Stitch
How Much Money Is Your C/Stitch Worth
Can You Make Money Selling C/Stitch
9 FAQ About Starting a Craft Business
5 Basic Stitches in Cross Stitch
Best Cross Stitch Books / 2
Cross Stitch Glossary /2 /3
Cross Stitch Wikipedia
Cross Stitch Equipment /2
C/Stitching on Aida,Evenweave,Linen
65 Cross Stitch Terms
88 Cross Stitch Terms
100 Cross Stitch Terms
20 FAQ About Cross Stitch
10 Tips for Cross Stitch
15 Hints And Tips
15 Tips And Tricks
Counted Cross Stitch Hints
7 Reasons You Need To C/Stitch
Cross Stitch Coupons
Cross Stitch On Waste Canvas
Waste Canvas
Cross Stitch Magazines
What is the Best C/Stitch Brand
How To Use A DMC Color Card
Basic Stitches by Hand for Beginners /2
Health Benefits of Cross Stitch


More Articles
50 Ways To Earn Money With Crafts
20 Funny Sentences About Crafts
DMC Embroidery Threads
Embroidery Threads
Embroidery Stitches
Embroidery / Embroidery Unveiled
100 Embroidery Terms
Basics Of Hand Embroidery
Embroidery Stitches. 16 Techniques
Handling The Embroidery Thread
The Embroidery Hoop
Embroidery Hoop or Frame
Cross Stitch Helpful Hints
Needlework Glossary
Needlecratf.Tips,Tricks,FAQS
Hand Dyed Floss / 2
Hardanger Embroidery / 2
Needle (Size) Guide / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6
Needles / DMC Needles
On Threading a Needle
Knotting The Thread
Backstitch / 2
Needlepoint Inc Silk
Floss &Thread Organization & Storage /2
Scrapbooking / Scrapbooking Guide
Scrapbooking For Designers
Magnifiers
Stamps and Stampings
Macramé / Art of Macramé
Guide To Macramé
Macramé. Video Tutorials
Crochet Links
Crochet / Art of Crochet
Crochet Made Easy / 2
Basic Crochet Stitches / 2
Crochet Information / 2
How To Crochet / 2
Essential Guide To Crochet / 2
Crochet Encyclopedia / 2
Tapestry / Tapestry Weaving
Anchor Tapestry Wool. Old To New Numbers
Quilting / Quilting Mastery
Quilter's Journey
10 Quilting Techniques
How to Make A Quilt / 2
Steps To Making A Quilt
History of Quilting in America / 2
Introduction to Quilting / 2
Basic Quilting Guide / 2
Quilting Terms / 2
Stitch Dictionary / 2
Pintangle Stitch Dictionary
Stitch  Types And Appearances
Yarnist Knitter Newsletter

C/Stitch Blogs / Facebook
59 Cross Stitch Blogs
50 Cross Stitch Blogs
40 Cross Stitch Blogs
Cross Stitch on Facebook
Cross Stitch on Instagram

Forums
Crafts and C/Stitch Forums

Applications
23 Best Cross Stitch Apps
13 Mobile Apps for Stitchers

Crafts/Knitting/ Sewing Links
35 Best Craft Sites
24 Best Craft Sites
23 Best Craft Sites
18 Best Craft Sites
85 Best Craft Blogs
50 Best Craft Sites
Craft Books
9 Craft Shops
Crafts Glossary / 2
Craft Info
100 Craft Youtube Channels / 2
115 Knitting Blogs
40 UK Knitting Blogs
20 Knitting Blogs
Fixing Knitting Mistakes / 2
The 4-H Knitting Handbook / 2
Health Benefits of Knitting / 2
Beginning Knitting / 2
Instructions for Knitting / 2
Fundamentals of Knitting / 2
How to Knit for Beginners / 2
Beginning to Knit
Knitting
Knitting 2 / Knitting 3
Yarn Requirements for Knitting / 2
110 Sewing Blogs
Sewing / Tips and Tricks
The Art of Sewing
Essential Sewing Tools & Equipment
The Sewing Machine
How To Choose A Sewing Machine
The 8 Very Best Sewing Machines
How To Sew
Sewing For Beginners / 2
Sewing Needles
Schmetz Needles / 2
Introduction To Sewing Machine / 2
Understanding a Sewing Pattern / 2
Science of Sewing / 2
Sewing Basics.Know Your Needles / 2
Sewing Basics,Resource Guide / 2

Other Links

Needlework Fabrics
Needlework
Needlework Frames
Needlework Patterns
Weeks Dye Works Retailers
Sell Your Crafts Online
10 Sites To Start Selling Crafts Online
How To Sell On Etsy /2 /3
/4
Fabric Viewer
/2 / 3
Punch Needle for Beginners
Punch Needle FAQ
Punch Needle Tutorial
Wonderfil Eleganza
Eleganza/Cosmo/DMC
CXC Thread Review
/2
Needlepoint vs C/Stitch
10 Beginner Tips For Needlepoint
The Art Of Needlepoint
How To Needlepoint. Guide
How To Needlepoint
/2
Basic Needlepoint
Gloriana Shops
Storage & Organization
Eva Rosenstand
Bucilla
Vervaco Brand History
Elizabeth Bradley
Sashiko
/2 /3
3 Good Reasons To Try DMC Floche
Amigurumi
Tapestry Crochet

DMC Info/Charts/Shops
DMC World Shops / 2
Search DMC/Rosace colors
DMC / Rosace Color Card
DMC Color Card (Buy)
DMC Articles (MS Excel)
DMC/Rosace Colors / 2 / 3
DMC Color Description
DMC Color Description 2 / 3 / 4
Discontinued DMC Threads
DMC 35 New Colors
DMC Variegated To Solid Colors
DMC Variations To Solid Colors
Mouline Etoile
Light Effects
Variations / 2
Retors / Satin
Linen / 2
Laine Colbert
Coloris / 2 / 3 / 4 
Pearl Cotton Size 3 / 2
Pearl Cotton Size 5
Pearl Cotton Variations
Pearl Cotton Balls #8 / #12
Cebelia Crochet
Floche
Diamant
Babylo Crochet Yarn
Babylo Crochet Thread
Special Dentelles
Petra
Cebelia Crochet Yarn
Cordonnet Special
Broder Special

Anchor Info/Charts
Anchor Colors / Anchor 2
Anchor Description Colors
Anchor Colors And Names
Pearl Cotton #8 MC
Pearl Cotton #8 Solid
Anchor Marlitt
Anchor Metallic / 2
Tapisserie Wool / 2
Anchor Lame
Anchor Reflecta

More Color Charts / Shops
Madeira
/ Viscose
Presencia (Finca) / 2
Caron Collection /2 /3 /4
Caron Hand Dyed VG
Caron Wildflowers / 2
Caron Waterlilies
Caron Watercolors
Classic Colorworks
Crescent (Classic Colorworks)
Crescent Colors / 2
Gloriana Silk Floss
Gloriana All Threads / 2
Gütermann Skala / Mara
Gütermann 2 / Sulky / Tera
Gütermann Sew All
Glissen Gloss Colorwash Silk
Rainbow Gallery Threads
Rainbow Blending Glissen Gloss
Rainbow Gallery
R/Gallery Splendor
R/Gallery Splendor Colors
R/Gallery Wisper / Braid Petite
R/Gallery Treasure Braid 4-8
R/Gallery Treasure B. 12-16
R/Gallery Nordic Gold
R/Gallery Fuzzy Stuff
R/Gallery Silk Lame Braid
Riolis Shops
Sullivans
Threadworx Overdyed
Threadworx Overdyed Floss
Threadworx Overdyed Pearls
Threadworx Quick Reference
Threadworx Charts
Threadworx Designers
Au Ver A Soie / 2
J&P Coats
Dinky Dyes Silk/ Perle 600
Dinky Dyes Perle 1000/ P1900
The Gentle Art Sampler / 2 / 3
The Gentle Art Simply Shaker
The Gentle Art Simply Wool
YLI SR
Cosmo
Madeira
Mettler / Mettler Threads
Mettler (All)
Rasant
Riolis (Catalog)
Valdani / 2
Venus
Weeks Dye Works
Weeks Dye Works Floss
Puppets Conversion Chart
Aurifil
Panna
Robison-Anton

Conversion tables
DMC/Rosace-Anchor
Dmc-Anchor & Description
DMC/Anchor Variegated
DMC Articles Conversion / 2 / 3
DMC-Rayon-Anchor Marlitt
DMC-Needlepaints
DMC-Kreinik Metallics
DMC Light Effects-Kreinik
DMC-Colbert Wool Conversion
DMC-Presencia (Finca) / 2
DMC-Venus / 2
DMC-Gamma-Anchor-Madeira
DMC-Needlepoint Silk
DMC-Splendor
DMC-Sullivans / 2
DMC-DFN (Janlynn)
DMC-Mill Hill Beads / 2
DMC-Anchor-Jp-Mill Hill
DMC-Laine Colbert Wool
DMC-Bucilla / 2
DMC-Profilo / 2
DMC-Anchor-Profilo-Ispe
DMC-Cosmo (& Seasons)
DMC-Design Works
DMC-Riolis
DMC-Valdani
DMC-Mandarin
DMC-Anchor-Yeidami
DMC-The Gentle Art /2 /3
DMC-Puppets
DMC-Aurifil
DMC-JPCoats
DMC-Sulky
DMC-Flower Thread
RGB-DMC
Dimensions-Anchor/DMC /2
Dimensions-DMC/Anchor/JPCoats
Dimensions-DMC /2
Dome - DMC - Anchor
DMC-Weeks-Colorworks-Gast-Sullivans-Anchor
DMC-Anchor-Semco-Madeira-JP-Cosmo-Olympus-YD / 2
DMC-Light-Effects-Diamant-Rainbow-Gallery-PB-Kreinik#4 / 2
Eva Rosenstand-DMC
DMC-Au Ver Soie
Crescent Colors-DMC
Anchor-DMC
Anchor Old To New Numbers
Anchor-Sullivans
Anchor-DMC-JPCoats
Anchor Wool-Paternayan-DMC
Anchor-Tapestry Wool-DMC-Wool
Anchor-Bucilla
Anchor-Kreinik Silk Mori
Bucilla-Sullivans
E.Bradley-Anchor-DMC-Appletons Tapestry Wool
Sullivans-JP Coats
Dinky Dyes-Gentle Art
Soie D'alger - Needlepoint Silk
Silk N' Colors - Gentle Art
RB Gallery-Kreinik
Kreinik-Treasure Braid
Glissen Gloss RB-Kreinik BF
Threads to Robison-Anton
Weeks-Cosmo
Weeks Dye-Works-DMC
Gloriana Silk to Weeks Dye Works
Gloriana Silk To Caron Waterlilies To Silk N'Colors
DMC - Delica Bead
Delica Bead - DMC
DMC-Anchor-JPCoats-Beats-Anton
Itchy-Stitchy - DMC
Mill Hill Beads To Miyuki
Sulky Conversions
Knitting Needle Conversion
Threadelight-Polyester-Machine-To-Pantone-R-A-Poly-R-A-Rayon-Sulky-Madeira

Kreinik
Distributors & Stores
Kreinik color Charts
Kreinik Widths
Needle Selection Chart
Kreinik colors /2 /3
Kreinik BF / Kreinik #4
Kreinik #8 / Kreinik Silk
Kreinik  #12
Metallic Selection Chart
Kreinik Selection Guides
Braids.Uses And Care
BF.Uses And Care
BF.Secrets
Kreinik How-To
Kreinik Articles

Mill Hill
Mill Hill USA Vendors
Mill Hill Beads
Mill Hill Magnifica
Mill Hill Treasures 1
Mill Hill Treasures 2
Mill Hill Treasures 3
M.Hill.List of colors / 2
Mill Hill colors

Sponsors

Sponsor this site!
contact@mystitchworld.com


Welcome to MyStitchWorld.com. Cross Stitch Distributors


Cross Stitch Guide






What Is Cross-Stitch?

Cross-stitch is a type of embroidery in which x-shaped stitches are embroidered onto a grid-like woven fabric, resulting in uniform stitches that come together to form a larger pattern or image. The final product of cross-stitched work varies among stitchers—some leave their finished project in the embroidery hoop and hang it on a wall as a framed work of art, while others cross-stitch directly onto blankets, pillowcases, or clothing items.

Related hobbies include hand embroidery (in which you embroider without a grid), needlepoint (in which you use repetitive stitches but not necessarily x-shaped stitches), crochet (in which you use a hook to weave yarn together), and knitting (in which you use two needles to weave yarn together).

Meet One of Your New Instructors

Get Started

What Materials Do You Need for Cross-Stitch?

Embroidery is a simple and inexpensive hobby that only requires a few materials:

  • Needle: While you can technically cross-stitch with any type of needle, you can achieve the best results with a tapestry needle. This type of needle has a blunt point and a long, thin eye for easier threading. (The needle doesn’t need to be sharp enough to pierce since cross-stitch fabric already has holes.) Tapestry needles come in a range of sizes, from 18 to 24 (the latter number is the smallest). The fabric that you select for your project will determine the ideal needle size for your project. Generally, larger materials require larger needles and vice versa.
  • Fabric: Cross-stitching requires a particular kind of fabric, called “evenweave”—or woven fabric with equal-sized warp and weft, resulting in a balanced grid of squares that stitchers can count as they work toward creating the final image. Standard evenweave fabrics for cross-stitching include linen or Aida cloth.
  • Embroidery floss: Embroidery floss (also called embroidery thread) is a soft cotton or polyester thread available in many different colors. It’s thicker than sewing thread so that it’s more visible when stitched onto fabric.
  • Scissors: You can use any type of scissors to trim your fabric and cut your floss. For more precise cuts, purchase a pair of embroidery scissors, which have a smaller, sharper set of blades.
  • Pattern: Cross-stitching, like knitting, is a mathematical process in which you count each of your stitches in predetermined rows to form a larger whole. Most cross-stitchers follow a pattern as they stitch, which is different from a traceable embroidery pattern—cross-stitch patterns are slightly more technical, set up on a grid with different colors and shapes to indicate the placement of the color stitches.
  • Embroidery hoop (optional): An embroidery hoop can help keep your project even and straight, especially for very small cross-stitching. A hoop is composed of two rings: a solid inner ring and an outer ring with a screw to twist to tighten or loosen the fit. This hoop, which can be made out of wood or plastic, is available in a range of sizes, from 3 to 12 inches. A mid-sized or larger hoop is ideal for a beginning cross-stitcher since it can be difficult to stitch in a small hoop.
  • Masking tape, sewing machine, or serger (optional): Masking tape or a quick stitch along the outside of your fabric can help prevent it from fraying.

3 Cross-Stitch Tips for Beginners

Whether you’re running into a snag or looking for ways to vary your stitching, here are some tips for beginner crafters:

  1. Keep your stitches consistent. The key to creating a clean look in your cross-stitch is maintaining a uniform size, shape, and tension in your stitches. To do this, start with the same arm of the x every time, rather than using different arms. Also, try to pull each stitch to the same tautness level instead of creating a mix of extra-tight and loose stitches which can make the design look slapdash.
  2. Experiment with other stitches. While cross-stitching has fewer stitch variations than general hand embroidery, there are still a few different kinds of stitches you can try to achieve a particular effect. Backstitch is a great stitch for beginners because it results in thin, tidy lines that can add definition to your shapes; French knots are slightly more complex but a great way to add decorative spheres to your patterns.
  3. Follow the rules for resizing. In counted cross-stitch, where stitchers count threads from the center of the fabric to create a neat appearance, most patterns will include an image that can be resized depending on how large you want the finished product. At the smallest, you can stitch a cross-stitch project with one strand of thread over an area of just one square of your grid (called “one over one”). To make a project larger, you can increase the thread count for your stitches and stitch over multiple squares in the grid (for instance, “two over two”).
 

How to Cross-Stitch

Here’s a step-by-step tutorial to cross-stitching—from preparing the fabric to your final stitch:

  1. Prepare your fabric (optional). Woven fabrics, like Aida or linen, can begin to unravel at the edges after a lot of handling. Consider preparing the edges of your fabric by taping along them with masking tape or running along them with a zig-zag stitch or serger to avoid this effect.
  2. Identify the center of your fabric. If you want your design to be centered on your fabric, it’s best to find the fabric’s center and start stitching from there. Simply fold your fabric in half lengthwise and then widthwise—the spot where those two lines intersect is the center of your fabric. You can make a small mark or stitch in the center so you don’t lose it.
  3. Stretch the fabric over the embroidery hoop (optional). If you want to use an embroidery hoop, loosen the screw at the top of your embroidery hoop to detach the two pieces. Place the two halves of your hoop on either side of your fabric. Squeeze the two pieces of the hoop back together, screw them tight, and then tug around the fabric until it’s tight. Pulling too tight can warp the weave of your fabric. You want to ensure the fabric still has a consistent grid pattern for the cleanest final product.
  4. Decide on your design. Next, select your design. You can choose a simple line design or a portrait for more complexity. Depending on your preference, you can create your own cross-stitch patterns, find free patterns online, use one from a counted cross-stitch kit, or buy one. Most cross-stitch patterns use different colors and shapes on a grid to indicate what color stitches go where.
  5. Prepare your floss. Embroidery floss usually comes as a combination of six individual threads. Most cross-stitching (depending on your pattern and your fabric’s size) uses either one or two threads. Cut a long piece of floss (about the length of your arm) from your skein, and then separate your desired number of threads from the rest.
  6. Thread your needle. Take one end of your floss and thread it through the needle eye, letting the other half dangle a few inches from the eye—avoid tying the floss to the needle. On the other end of the floss, tie a few knots on top of each other so that that end won’t slip through your fabric. (Some cross-stitchers don’t tie a knot in their thread at all, instead of holding it in place until they’ve made enough stitches on top of it to keep it secure.)
  7. Make your first stitch. Identify the center of your fabric and the center of your pattern. (Most professional patterns include two arrows to indicate the midpoint of the pattern.) Starting from the back of the fabric, pull the needle and floss through the center point until the thread stops on the knot. Then, pick the point directly diagonal from your thread and push the needle back through, leaving one line of floss that resembles half of an x on your fabric. It doesn’t matter which direction you choose to stitch first (either the forward-slash or the backslash)—just stay consistent in future stitches.
  8. Continue making stitches. As you continue making stitches, you can follow one of two schools: English and Danish. The English method completes each x before moving on to the next. The Danish process completes each slash throughout the pattern before returning to make the second slash and finish the x.
  9. Tie off your last stitch. When you’re close to using up the entire thread, thread your needle through at least three stitches on the back of your fabric (you can tie a knot to secure it further, but most cross-stitchers say a knot isn’t necessary). If you still have more cross-stitching to do before your project is finished, thread your needle with a new piece of floss and continue the process.

What Is the Difference Between Cross-Stitch and Embroidery?

Cross-stitching and embroidery are closely related as forms of needlework with one key difference: embroidery is an umbrella term that refers to any method of stitching designs onto fabric through needle-art, including cross-stitching.

Cross-stitch is a more narrow term specifically referring to embroidery using x-shaped stitches on a gridlike fabric.

Want to Learn More About Fashion Design?

Become a better fashion designer with the MasterClass Annual Membership. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Marc Jacobs, Laura Kim & Fernando Garcia, Tan France, Diane von Furstenberg, Anna Wintour, and more.