Welcome to the cross-stitching room. I love cross-stitch. Here I will try to explain some of the basics and hopefully this will inspire some of you to try this.
I am not an expert and cross-stitch can become very complex. However, we are only doing the basics, so please keep that in mind. Cross-stitch is done by making little x's in a fabric in order to make a design. Cross-stitch can either be done on a plain background, which is counted cross-stitch, or it can be done on a colored background, which means that a picture looks like it was painted on the fabric, or there are little X's on the fabric in the shape of your design. I prefer counted cross-stitch. That's just me.
Cross-stitch is done on a special fabric made up of little squares, and the squares per inch are measured to give you a fabric size or count. For example, a 14 count cloth would have 14 squares per inch. So, if you have a design that says it is 80 squares wide, and you want to do it on 14 count cloth, (Aida), then your finished design will be 5 3/4" wide
Go to your local craft store and purchase a cross-stitch pattern. You can buy a separate pattern, cloth, and floss, or you can buy a whole kit. Don't forget a cross-stitch needle. They have a rounded tip. This is important. I have tried to use a regular needle before and let me tell you my fingers regretted it very much because I kept stabbing them with the sharp point. :) Some kits come with a needle and some don't. You will have to read the contents label.
If you are purchasing everything separately, look inside the pattern and you will see a chart somewhere on the page. This chart tells you what numbers of floss you need to buy. The chart usually tells you the DMC (a brand of floss), number and the ANC number (another brand of floss). I usually use DMC floss, so I ignore the ANC floss numbers because I don't need them. Across from the number you will usually see the name of the color of floss. The charts usually look very confusing, but they really aren't. Each chart varies a little bit also. There is generally a title followed by the size of the design. For example, if it says Rosy Repose (131w X 115h), then Rosy Repose is just the name of the picture and the 131w X 115h means the design is 131 squares wide and 115 squares high. If there is an X at the top of the column that means that you will make a complete X stitch with that particular color of floss. If there is a 1/4X at the top of the column, then that means you will make a quarter stitch with that particular floss. If there is a 1/2X at the top, then you will make a half stitch with that particular color of floss. Some patterns will explain the different types of stitches.
Now, follow the arrows on the pattern to the middle. Figure out what color floss the middle square is, and then thread your needle. How many strands of floss depends on what the pattern says. (Floss is made up of 6 little tiny strands) Now, fold your fabric in half lengthwise, then in half the opposite way. Place your needle in the center where they meet. This is your middle. When you unfold your fabric, be careful not to let your needle fall out. You are ready to begin. (You can buy a hoop to place your fabric in. This makes everything nice and taut. Some people don't like them. You can also buy a scrolling frame. Nice, but more expensive. Doesn't leave any impression on your fabric though like a hoop does.) Make sure you always do your stitches in the same way. If you start at the top left and go to the bottom right for your first stitch, then from the top right to the bottom left for your second stitch, then do that for all of your stitches. Makes them look nicer. Most everything you need to know you will find in your pattern. You can always ask the person at the craft store or you could even E-mail me. Have fun and good luck.
Font used is "Lucida Handwriting"
Font Color is"6E5C7C"
Link Color is"CC6699"
  
Thank you to:
Lallas Countrystyle
for the bunny graphic
Backgrounds by me
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