15 Top Tips for Cross Stitch Beginners

Yes, 15 tips is a lot, but these are all things that will make your cross stitching easier, neater and hopefully more fun! And I definitely wish I'd known some of these earlier on my cross stitch journey!
If you are a beginner to cross stitch then I hope this will be super helpful...but even seasoned stitchers may well learn something!
00:00 Start
01:25 Tip #1 - no rules!
02:06 Tip #2 - good light
03:11 Tip #3 - top arms go the same way
04:09 Tip #4 - count and mark off
06:53 Tip #5 - keep it clean
07:42 Tip #6 - wash and press your finished pieces
08:40 Tip #7 - learn the loop method
09:03 Tip #8 - get organised
10:26 Tip #9 - buy good quality supplies
11:15 Tip #10 - start with the right supplies
13:20 Tip #11 - read all the instructions first
13:41 Tip #12 - untwist your thread
14:03 Tip #13 - start from the middle
14:56 Tip #14 - safe needle parking
16:12 Tip #15 - stitch what you love
17:45 Bonus tip - learn the lingo
*CROSS STITCH PATTERN USED IN VIDEO*
Floral Birdhouse Wreath:
www.etsy.com/uk/listing/12376...
*LINKS MENTIONED IN VIDEO*
How to track cross stitch progress by marking off your pattern:
• How to Track Cross Sti...
How to do a loop start for cross stitch:
• How to do a Loop Start...
Why are some DMC embroidery thread skeins a different colour?
• Why are Some DMC Embro...
How to choose the right size needle for cross stitch:
• How to Choose the Righ...
How to untwist your embroidery thread:
• How to Untwist your Cr...
PDF Cross stitch project planner and stitching tracker:
www.etsy.com/uk/listing/12574...
PDF Cross Stitch Terms and Acronyms:
0ebbbda4-13eb-4d5d-92f3-fcab1...
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*BROWSE JOYFUL CROSS STITCH PATTERNS*
I sell cute colourful designs suitable for beginners and more experienced stitchers in my Etsy shop
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/catkinan...
*FIND MORE STITCHY GOODNESS*
Browse blog posts on all sorts of topics, resources and some cute free patterns on my website
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MUSIC
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Tech Evolution [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: filmmusic.io/song/10924-tech-...
License (CC BY 4.0): filmmusic.io/standard-license

[@norwatijaapar1378]

Thank you for the tips. I'm a crocheter first before cross stitch and recently fell in love back with the latter. I love your videos. Thank you again.

[@catkinandlillie]

Yay!! So happy you're enjoying my videos 😄 I always say cross stitch has a way of drawing you back in 😂

[@ceritat]

Thank you, wonderful tips! I am just starting out in cross stitch but I have been needlepointing for a long time. Thank you for pointing out there are no right or wrong ways to make an X but consistency. I don't needlepoint in the "traditional manner", so I don't expect I will cross stitch in any particular way, I'll just follow the Danish method. I am starting with a fairly simple full coverage pattern as I felt this would be good for me and make it feel more like needlepoint in a way, I do counted needlepoint mostly so the counting is not a issue. In my practice pieces the biggest issue I have had is finding the darn holes in the fabric, gosh, it's not easy, I find half the time is spent finding the holes in 14ct Aida, this is not a problem in needlepoint. I am a two handed stitcher and I use frames and a floor stand for my needlepoint, and I will be doing the same for my cross stitch. The fabric I am using for my first project is Fiddlers cloth in 16 ct because the strange thing is the holes appear to be larger, for some odd reason. Here goes! Thank you again.

[@catkinandlillie]

I hope you're enjoying your cross stitching so far and I'm always so happy to help out with tips and tricks 😄 I think finding the holes is one of the trickiest things to get the hang of but once you've stitched for a while you can just 'feel' the hole with your needle and it becomes so much easier. I agree that the Fiddler's cloth has bigger holes so easier to start with. Aida is also easier than linen or evenweave for finding the holes and the lower the count of the fabric the very slightly larger the holes so that is also a little easier. The size of the holes will also slightly change the look of the finished piece so my personal preference now is smaller holes but then I've been stitching a loooooong time 😂

[@LawsOfKnitting]

Great video. Thanks so much. I put my crossstitch down for many years and have recently picked it up again. I started watching your video for just a simple refresher, but I learned a lot. WOW, the loop method! Love it! I am in my 60’s and learned to cross-stitch in my teens and am just now hearing about that gem! 💎 Thanks again.

[@catkinandlillie]

Yay! Really happy you found this helpful 😊 If the loop method existed when I learnt to cross stitch (also as a teen) then I didn't know it, so when I learned about it around 3 or 4 years ago...mind blown 🤯😂

[@AngelaThyssen]

Enjoying your tips since I am new so still battling to work small stitches. Thank you

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you, I'm always so happy to hear that my videos can help and I hope you enjoy your stitchy journey...I'm biased but I think it's just the best!! 😄

[@charnaymosley3049]

I'm used to crocheting and a couple of other fiber arts, and while they're similar in some aspects, this is a whole new hobby for me. Thank you for taking the time to share some tips that seem very helpful.

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you and you are so very welcome 😊 I'm delighted you've found these tips helpful and hope you'll enjoy this fabulous hobby 😄

[@itsryleeduhh]

Hoping to see the video on washing and ironing soon! This is something I really wanna learn more about!

[@catkinandlillie]

You can watch it right now 😄 kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJbbaYydhadpn8Usi=yd3ZOyhXgP8I1sYF Hope this helps!

[@itsryleeduhh]

@@catkinandlillie very helpful video!! Do you have any tips for keeping your thread from coming out of your needle? I've been tying a knot at the end, but I've noticed it sometimes creates issues so I'm curious if there's a better way! (I use the loop method for context)

[@catkinandlillie]

Sadly I don't think I can help with this as I've not often had this problem. I wonder if using a smaller size needle would help as a smaller needle will have a smaller eye. Also look for a needle brand that has a narrower eye as they do vary a bit. Of course a smaller/narrower eye can be trickier to thread but hopefully the thread won't fall out so much as you stitch!

[@kathyshahin402]

I've recently got back into cross stitching again and love the reminder tios as well as ones I never knew! Love your videos! Working my way through all of them❤

[@catkinandlillie]

That's absolutely brilliant 😄 So happy you're enjoying coming back to cross stitch and delighted my videos are helpful to you 😊

[@annebadyk5186]

Thanks so much for all the info.

[@catkinandlillie]

You are so very welcome 😊

[@marionanthony1530]

Thanks Kat. Another informative floss tube.I knew most of your tips. But they all helped.And having your suggestion helped confirm that I am heading along the correct track.

[@catkinandlillie]

I'm glad you enjoyed the tips even if just so you could nod along with them 😂😄

[@deliachitts1964]

Good advice thank you 😊

[@catkinandlillie]

You're so very welcome and happy stitching 😄

[@LeticiaCuenca]

So glad I found your channel! ☺️Thank you for the tips, loved them and I’ll be watching your other videos as well. Lots to learn!

[@catkinandlillie]

Thanks so much and it's awesome to hear your enjoying my videos 😄 Hope they will be helpful to you!

[@catsarethebestpeople5790]

So, where are these naughty cross-stitch patterns you speak of...?! 🤔🤣 I must be shopping in the wrong place - I only seem to stitch cats and birds! Great video 👍

[@catkinandlillie]

I can't say I have any of said naughty patterns but I have seen some and there are even whole groups dedicated to naughty/sweaty cross stitches! Nothing wrong with stitching cats and birds though 😂 Glad you enjoyed the video 😄

[@catsarethebestpeople5790]

@@catkinandlillie I think when family and friends visit, it's probably safer to have cats and birds framed on the walls than anything else. And let's not even contemplate entering in the local small town annual Agricultural Society Show! Most of the stewards of the craft section are mature, respectable ladies... 😳🤭😂

[@mariannatrapani5859]

Thank you. I enjoyed your instructions. But I guess I’m a cheater in cross stitching. I use printed patterns. Thank you

[@catkinandlillie]

That's not cheating! Just different. I'd quite like to try a printed/stamped pattern one day for a change 😀

[@lisawhittaker5680]

Started my crossstitch journey on 40ct linen, never stitched on Aida. If you don't know the you're no supposed to then you don't have the mental barrier to stop success.

[@catkinandlillie]

I think my video is clear that there's no 'supposed to' but I think most cross stitchers would agree that Aida is easier when you first start stitching. But very true what you say about not having a mental barrier.

[@Dulcisamara]

I knew all of them already, but I will send it to my friend‘s daughter who’s just starting out :). I have another question: it seems like you have custom inserts for your shelf (Kallax?). Can you tell where you got them, please?

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you for passing on my video and I hope your friend's daughter will find the tips helpful, and enjoy her journey into cross stitch 😄 The shelf inserts are from Creations by Rod creations-by-rod.co.uk/ There are lots of options; the ones you can see behind me in the video are thread racks and paper racks.