Cross stitch for beginners: everything you need to start
Updated October 16, 2026 · 5 min read
Cross stitch is one of the easiest needlecrafts to learn: if you can count to ten and thread a needle, you can do it. This guide takes you from an empty table to your first finished row — then shows how to plan fabric size and floss so your second project does not stall halfway.
- 1
Gather five simple supplies
Aida fabric (14-count is the classic beginner choice), six-stranded cotton floss such as DMC, a size 24 or 26 tapestry needle (it has a blunt tip and a big eye), an embroidery hoop and a pair of small sharp scissors. A starter kit contains all of this, but buying separately lets you pick any pattern you like.
- 2
Pick a small first pattern
Start with something around 30–60 stitches wide and 5–10 colours: a small motif, initials or a simple animal. Small projects finish quickly, and finishing is what keeps you going. Avoid lots of fractional stitches and backstitch on your very first piece.
- 3
Prepare the fabric
Cut the fabric with at least 5 cm (2 in) spare on every side, or 7–8 cm if you will frame it. Fold it in half both ways to find the centre and mark it with a pin. Put the fabric in the hoop so it is firm like a drum, but do not stretch the weave out of shape.
- 4
Separate the strands
Cut a length of floss about as long as your forearm (roughly 45 cm / 18 in). Floss is made of six strands twisted together; pull them out one at a time and put back together the number your pattern asks for — usually two on 14-count Aida. Separating them first makes the stitches lie flat and full.
Pull strands out one by one, then recombine two for 14-count Aida. - 5
Start without a knot
Knots make lumps under framed work and can pull through. Instead, bring the needle up and leave a 2–3 cm tail at the back, then hold it in place and catch it under your first few stitches. With an even number of strands you can use the loop start: fold one strand in half, thread the two ends, and pass the needle through the loop on the back after the first half stitch.
- 6
Make your first crosses
A full cross is two diagonal stitches over one square of Aida. Work a row of half stitches ( / / / ) from left to right, then come back crossing them ( \ \ \ ). The most important rule: every top stitch should lie in the same direction across the whole piece. That is what makes finished work look neat.
The full cross, plus the other stitches you will meet later. - 7
Finish a thread and keep going
When about 8 cm (3 in) of floss is left, take the needle to the back and run it under four or five stitches of the same colour, then trim. Avoid carrying thread more than about three squares across the back to a new area — it can show through light fabric. Mark finished stitches on your chart as you go.
What fabric count should I choose?
The count is the number of squares per inch. Lower counts (11, 14) have bigger squares that are easier to see and count; higher counts (16, 18) make a smaller, finer result. A 70-stitch design is about 6.4 in on 11-count, 5 in on 14-count and 3.9 in on 18-count.
Common beginner mistakes
Miscounting: count twice, stitch once — and use the bold 10×10 lines. Twisted floss: let the needle hang every few stitches so the thread untwists. Top stitches going different ways: decide on / then \ and stick with it. Thread too long: long lengths tangle and fray. And don't worry about the back — tidy is nice, but only the front is judged.
How long does a project take?
Most beginners stitch roughly 100–200 full stitches an hour, getting faster with practice. A 50 × 50 design (2,500 stitches) is a few relaxed evenings; a 200 × 200 portrait is a long, rewarding project spread over months.
Plan size and floss before you buy fabric
Beginners often buy too little floss or the wrong fabric size. Use the free PixVix size calculator to turn stitch width × height into centimetres on 14-count (or any count). Then run the floss calculator with your stitch counts per colour — it estimates metres and skeins for DMC, Anchor, Madeira and other brands. Doing this once saves a mid-project shop run.
From a photo to a first chart (when you are ready)
When you outgrow kit charts, PixVix can turn a photo into a counted pattern with DMC colours. Start with a small crop (a face or flower), keep the stitch count low, and print the PDF before you stitch. Pair that with the free printable patterns hub if you want a guaranteed small finish first.
Make your own first pattern
Upload a photo or drawing, keep it small with a few colours, and PIXVIX gives you a printable chart with DMC threads.
Try the free demoQuestions
- Is cross stitch hard to learn?
- No. There is really only one basic stitch — the full cross — and the rest is counting. Most people make a neat row within their first half hour.
- Do I need a hoop?
- It is not required, but a hoop keeps the fabric taut so stitches come out even. Many beginners find it much easier with one.
- What is the best first pattern?
- Something small (under 60 × 60 stitches) with a handful of colours and few fractional stitches. You can also turn a simple picture into your own pattern with PIXVIX and keep the colour count low.
- Should I buy a kit or supplies separately?
- A kit is the easiest start because everything matches. Separate supplies are cheaper over time and let you stitch any pattern you like, including your own designs.
- How many skeins of floss do I need for a beginner project?
- For a small 50×50 motif on 14-count with two strands, many colours need under one skein. Use the PixVix floss calculator with your exact stitch counts — guessing by eye is the usual reason beginners run out of a colour.
- Should I start with Aida 14 or linen?
- Start with white or cream Aida 14. The holes are easy to see. Move to evenweave or linen after you can keep tension even on Aida. The fabric count converter lists typical needle sizes for each count.
- Where can I get a free first pattern?
- PixVix publishes free printable charts (seasonal, flowers, hearts, and more) with DMC lists and symbols. Download a small one, stitch it, then try a photo pattern when you want something personal.