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There are two types of cross-stitching designs. You can choose either stamped or counted cross-stitch. A stamped cross-stitch design has the pattern chosen on the cloth itself. You can see the design and just match it the pattern showing the colors needed. Counted cross-stitch is a little more complicated in that you have to count across boxes in the cloth until you reach the center and start a pattern there by matching and counting around the different colors needed.
Most cross-stitching kits contain all of the materials that you will need to start your project. They should contain enough of the six-strand colored floss to complete the design and a #24 blunt end or tapestry needle. You may choose to purchase an embroidery hoop to help keep the cloth tight while you stitch. You should also keep a pair of scissors nearby for when you end a color and start another.
Before you begin to stitch, separate the floss into colors and form a color chart. If you cut slits into a piece of cardboard, you can drape the floss across it and then label each color. When you need a color, you can just look at the chart and pick which one you need. It keeps your project more organized.
As you begin to stitch, start in the center. Finish the entire area within the embroidery hoop. Pick one color and do not stop using it until all of that color is completed within the hoop. Then end the floss and go on to the next color. When the section is finished, move the embroidery hoop over to the next section. Do not skip large sections with the floss. The thread will show behind the cloth. End the floss and pick it up where the next colored section begins. Try to keep an even tension on the floss. This will help to keep the stitch even. If the thread starts to become twisted, drop the needle and let it unwind.
There are two ways to cross-stitch. When stitching horizontal rows, first stitch all the stitches from left to right in the X and then go backwards stitching the stitches from right to left in the X. When stitching in vertical rows, work each complete stitch (X) and then move on to the next stitch.
A three quarter stitch is used when a design requires two colors in one X or more detail. You will stitch from bottom left to upper right and then from bottom right to the middle of the X.
A backstitch is used to outline the design or to create letters when personalizing a cross-stitching project. Bring a stitch through at 1 and stitch backwards (2). Then bring a stitch through in front of the first stitch at 3 and stitch backwards to 4. Continue until finished.
2__4__6__
1 3 5
A French knot starts with a thread up at one spot. Then you wrap the thread counterclockwise around the needle and insert the needle slightly above the spot you came up at. Hold the thread tightly until the thread in pulled all the way through and you have to let go.
A satin stitch is similar to the backstitch, but the stitches are very close to each other and you stitch until the specific area is covered.
There are many different crafts that you can create with cross-stitching. You can make: blankets, pillows, crib covers, baby announcements to hang, grow charts, bibs, aprons and much more. Personalize your project to give it a special touch!
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