Beginners Tutorial
How to do simple Cross-Stitch.
Cross-stitch is sewn on even weave material, that is, the warp threads are the same distance apart and the same thickness as the weft threads. This means for example, that 2 threads wide is the same length as 2 threads upwards. Generally speaking each cross-stitch will cover 2 threads upwards and 2 threads sideways covering a little square of material with the colour you have in your needle.
Preparation.
Good light. The light should shine over your left shoulder, on to your work if you are right handed.
Eyesight. If you need reading glasses, wear them. Is your prescription current? You should not need to squint.
Cool and comfortable? Hunching leads to back and neck pain. Ensure the temperature is cool enough so that your hands do not sweat.
Good tools. Sharp scissors, a thimble that fits, the right size needle.
Clean hands? Children and teenagers have acid in their sweat which corrodes needles, and makes dirt stick to anything they touch. Children must therefore be much more careful than adults, about washing hands before sewing.
Making the first stitch.
It is nice and comfortable to sew downwards towards your self, so normally each cross is started at the bottom left hand corner of the little square you are going to cover. If there is a row of stitches to do, start at the left hand end. Starting from the back, pass the needle up through the bottom left corner of the square and pull through, leaving a 4 to 6 inch tail of thread at the back of the work to run in later.
(If you are left-handed reverse all these directions left to right. Look at the diagrams in the mirror if it helps. Doing mirror image is fine, so long as the whole piece is done this way.)
For the second stitch push the needle in the hole 2 threads away diagonally up to the right and out 2 threads below where you put it in. (Fig 1) Pull the thread through and you have a sloping stitch up to the right, this is the first part of your cross-stitch. (Fig 2)
If you have only a single stitch to make, you complete it by pushing the needle down through the hole 2 threads above where you first started. Now you are ready to make the next cross wherever you want to, by pushing the needle up at the bottom left hand corner of your new stitch. (Fig 3)
If there are more stitches of this colour needed to the right of this stitch, then we have to make a whole row of half stitchs, and then come back and complete them. To do this take a second little vertical stitch to the right of the first, (Fig 4) and then a third etc. until your row is as long as you want it. Next you must put the second part of the crosses on each of the stitches by taking little vertical stitches back down the line to the beginning. (Fig 5)
Finishing off.
When a patch of colour is complete, the thread must be secured to stop it coming loose. Run the needle under some of the threads on the back, so these threads will hold the end in. Do not push the needle through to the front. When the end is secured, cut it off neatly, and then finish off the tail you left earlier.
It is possible to make small jumps to nearby patches of colour. If the jump would be long enough to catch and pull, finish off this thread, and start a new one.
There is no right or wrong way to treat fabric. This is a hobby to be enjoyed! Have fun.