Cross stitch is a form of embroidery that involves making small, “X”-shaped stitches on fabric to create designs or pictures. It is an accessible and rewarding needlework craft and great for beginners in crafting. The charm of cross stitch comes from its simplicity and the fact that it can be both a meditative and creative hobby.

What You Need to Start

Fabric: Aida cloth is most common, and it’s available in different counts (number of holes per inch). For beginners, a 14-count Aida is ideal.
Floss: Choose a basic set of embroidery floss in a variety of colours. Most cross-stitch patterns will tell you the exact colours you need, but having a good variety is always helpful.
Needles: Cross-stitch needles are typically size 24 or 26. They’re blunt-ended, so you won’t poke through the fabric too much.
Scissors: A small pair of embroidery scissors will help with snipping thread cleanly.
Hoop or Frame: While not strictly necessary, a hoop or frame helps keep the fabric taut and makes stitching easier and more consistent.
Patterns: You can find cross-stitch patterns online, in books, or you can even create your own designs.

Pixel Cross Stitch Art

Pixel cross stitch is a modern twist on traditional cross stitch which has become popular with crafters with an interest in video games and anime. It is inspired by pixelated images—often associated with retro video games or digital art. In this style of cross stitching, the design is usually made up of squares, much like the pixels in a digital image.
These designs mimic the grid structure of pixel art, where each square on the grid is represented by a cross stitch. The design is generally simple, with large blocks of colour, which makes it ideal for beginners.

Why not give cross stitch crafting a try? If you have already tried it, let us know in the comments below how it went for you!