If you’ve never stitched before, a big kit or chart can seem a bit daunting in the pants, but never fear! I have some tips for joo. They are not endorsed by any one but me, so if your Auntie Millicent says “What are you doing it that way for? Any fool knows that’s wrong!” you can say “Some doofus on the internet said it was okay!”
Always bear in mind I have a slapdash way of doing things. Let’s get movin’
1. Pick charts and kits that appeal to you.
That might seem like “duh” but really it’s kinda important. Unless you’re making a gift specifically for someone else, it’s best to stick to things you want to stitch. Even if you find it on special for 50 cents, there’s no need to force yourself through a dull kit. I’d still buy that though, for the fabric. I’m just sayin’
2. All the top arms of your Xs should go the same way.
Generally, you’ll see cross stitching instructions telling you do to the bottom arm left to right – / and the top arm right to left – \. That’s pretty traditional, but you don’t have to do it that way if you’re more comfortable doing it the other way around BUT – and this IS important – no matter which way you do it, all your stitches should be worked the same way. If you vary your top arms you’ll lose the smooth even look cross stitch has, and it will be a bit less pretty.
3. Mark your chart!
If you think you’ll be working your chart again at some point, photocopy it first then mark it as you go. If not, just go wild on the original. I like to use a highlighter or yellow felt tip to mark the stitches I’ve done. It’s a lot easier, for me, if I can still see the symbols under the markings. Otherwise I feel like I’m working blind when I change colours or start new rows. But however you do it, drawing over the stitches you’ve just done will help you keep your place.
4. Start smallish, but be brave.
Quite a few of the Cross Stitch magazines include a free mini kit, or you can pick up mini kits at craft stores for a few dollars. If you’ve never cross stitched before, these are a great way to jump in. The projects can usually be done in a couple of hours and you’ll get a feel for how it all works.
After that, you really can go for about anything you’d like to do. I mean, I wouldn’t suggest a 18 page chart for project number two, but you could certainly do it. Take your time, enjoy the process and you will get it done. What I’m saying here is don’t feel you “can’t” just because you haven’t been stitching long. Of course you can. Dive in!
5. Don’t be afraid of UFOs.
We all have them. Lurking. UnFinished Objects in the closet. Aieeee! Fact is, sometimes we get bored with a piece, especially if it’s large. Don’t feel you have to slave through it to the end. Fold it away for a while, work on something else, and get it out later when you’re fresh and ready to work on it. You’ll enjoy the process a whole lot more.
6. Buy the best you can afford
Fabric tends to be the pricy side of any embroidery, as the threads are generally around a dollar or so. You don’t have to buy linen fabric and linen thread, but it’s worth it to get the best you can afford. Cheap Aida in particular is horrible to work with – you’ll strike it in the cheaper kits. It feels rough. Off brand threads are fine for whipping up a card but for larger pieces, and pieces you’ll want to frame or gift, it’s worth buying DMC or Anchor or another big brand. You know they’re colourfast and you know they’ll work up well. Again, you’ll enjoy the stitching more.
7. You don’t actually need a lot of kit.
I’m not saying it’s not FUN to accumulate a million bits and pieces, because it totally is. However, if you’re put off by walking down the embroidery aisle at your local craft shop thinking you need one of everything, you don’t. All you really need is some hoops or frames in various sizes (to keep your fabric taut while you sew on it), a pair of scissors and some needles. You also need a good light source – a daylight bulb is ideal, but you honestly don’t need anything other than a nice bright lamp or overhead light. Pinky swear it.
That’s about all that springs to mind. Oh, apart from letting your needle hang.
8. Let your needle hang.
“What the hell are you talking about?” Do this often. Once you push the needle through to the back of the work, every so often let it hang. As you work, the thread will twist and your stitches will start to look narrower. Dangling your needle lets the threads untwist and returns you to nice, fulsome stitches.
See? Not demented.
Okay this is a SUPER long post to not have any pictures in it, so here’s a pic of my current WIP.
I highlighted the dog hair for ya coz I didn’t want you to miss it. You’re welcome.
It’s a frog, btw. The WIP I mean. Ribbit!
I think I made the wrong fabric choice for him, but I had a hell of a time getting the transfer to work on anything else. My partner seems pleased with him, so that’s something. The pattern is a freebie from 
Here’s my poor old dog eared chart. The yellow is attempt 1, the orange is the final attempt, and the blue is attempt numero two.
