Reading counted cross stitch pattern

Using a Cross Stitch kit

This is a Mickey Mouse Cross Stitch KIT that I bought at Michael's on clearance. The best part about buying a kit is that it comes with everything you need to make the image on the front. If you're still learning to cross stitch, click here  to find out how.




You'll notice when you open up the kit that the pattern is printed onto a piece of paper. The image of the character is made up of small symbols (sometimes numbers).

This is your guide to  which color goes where. The first thing I do when making  a cross stitch is separate out the colors from each other. You may need to hold some under light to help figure out where they go).
Most kits will give you an index card with holes punched out of it to help keep your thread separated until the time comes to use it.

Now it comes time to  figure out which color means which symbol. To do this you need to find the part of your pattern that looks like this:







This comes in handy, because it tells you exactly how many strands "lengths" you should have of each color. I found it very difficult one time because I had four different blues. That little number off to the side helped tremendously. Write the thread numbers next to the appropriate color. It's good to have that on hand in case you need to buy more. Next find the spot on your pattern that looks like this:


*note the X half X and 1/4 X (looks like half a slash) refer to whether or not you will do a full X stitch,


half

or just a half slash.

The numbers you just wrote next to the color have a symbol next to them. draw that symbol next to the color

Now when I am ready to start my cross stitch I don't have to keep looking back and forth to find out which symbol means which color.








each symbol represents one "square" on your cross stitch cloth. The easiest way to begin a cross stitch is by starting in the middle. Find out how here:  finding the middle in cross stitch

Cross-Stitch Basics

Cross stitching is a simple technique in which you take two strands of thread & form an "X" onto your cloth. Cross-stitching dates all the way back to the Pilgrims in Massachusetts in 1693 (don't believe me? google it). It started out just to add decoration to simple things like dish towels and progressed into making pictures to frame, etc..

Basic tools:

From Left to right: Precious Moments Cross Stitch pattern book, (on the lid) Plastic bobbins, embroidery hoop,needle and cross stitch fabric.
Most of my embroidery thread & packaged on the right is cross stitch fabric with my sewing scissors on top.

A list of the tools you'll need:

*Needles (they do make dull edged needles if you're worried about getting pricked)
*"Floss" or embroidery threads (there are numbers on them to help you use the right colors later when you're working on patterns)
* Hoop (optional)
* Cloth (be careful. They come in different size- 16 count, 20, 22. These just mean how many squares per inch. The bigger the number you go, the smaller your pattern will turn out)
*Deep organizing box for your threads (optional. A ziploc works great for first time projects too)
*Plastic bobbins (again, optional. they store much better this way though)

The best way to store your threads.

buy a some  plastic bobbins and a deep organizing box to store them in. Usually when you get your thread it comes wrapped in a paper tube.

I like to unravel mine onto the plastic bobbins and write in sharpie on the top of the bobbin what color it is. That way when I am working on a pattern that calls for that number, I know if I've got it.

I keep all of my threads ( I have four of these containers!)  semi- organized (always with the numbers facing up for easy finding).  Most of the time it's color coordinated. When I took this picture I was working on a project & some of the threads are off to the side holder.


Alright. Now that you've got your supplies, it's time to learn to cross stitch.

How to Cross stich

Take your cloth and hold it ( using a hoop is recommended, it keeps the fabric and the stitches straight. Not to mention it's easier to hold.)

With your needle threaded (knotted at the end for beginners) put the first stitch in (going diagonally from one top hole to the opposite hold at the top)

Next go to the other corner and do the same thing. (this will make your X)

That is the BASIC step in Cross-stitch. Make sure that all of your top stitches face the same direction to ensure a smooth finished project.

Cross stitching using a kit