Update: 12/01/2024 – Added a couple posts on stitching with variegated thread and what it is, marked with *.

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When I was getting started, I found tutorials for literally EVERYTHING. So here are a few in case you need them, divided by level. Starting out with a nice basic kit, you aren’t likely going to need the Advanced ones while you’re just getting started, but if you keep on with stitching and wonder wtf a French Knot is and oh god there’s so many different fabrics send help, these should be really nice. But of course, you can always ask me, as well!

And remember: you will mess up, we all do, it’s natural. Yes even seasoned stitchers. You can either just go with a mistake and make it a part of your piece of work (known as “fudging”), or unpick it and re-stitch (generally known as “frogging“). But mostly try not to panic, it’s a normal part of stitching. If these guides are unhelpful to you or overwhelming, you don’t have to use them. The advanced techniques I’ve listed are options if you want to take things a little further, but by no means the only ways to do things. As with anything, there are gatekeepers, but the most important thing is to find your way of working the threads and have fun! 

Beginning Tips

• Getting Started / Cross Stitch For Beginners / Animated Instructions / Beginner’s Guide to Cross Stitch / Cross Stitch Fundamentals / 9 Pro Tips for Cross-Stitch Beginners
• 10 Cross Stitch Tips
• How to Read a Pattern/Chart / Chart and Key Basics
• Pull Floss From a Skein Without Knotting
• Separating Floss
• Threading the Needle
• Starting Threads with a Loop / Loop Method (my favourite method)
• Starting Threads with a Waste Knot
• Ending Threads
• 5 Basic Stitches
• Stitching Entirely From the Front
• Keeping Your Place on a Chart / How to Keep Your Place on a Chart
• Don’t Worry About the Back
• Cross Stitch Terms

Little More Advanced: Fabric

• Counted Thread Embroidery Fabrics 101 / Picking Fabric For Cross Stitch – Aida, Linen, Evenweave
• Cross Stitch on Linen
• What Does Fabric Count Mean?
• Fabric Size Calculation
• Cross Stitching on Dark Fabrics
• Correct Tension for Stitching
• Stitching Without a Frame (In-Hand)
• Stopping Fabric from Fraying
• Preparing Fabric (finding centre, preventing edge fray, gridding)
• Gridding / Gridding Fabric w/ Pen or Floss (video) / Cross Stitch Gridding Techniques / Gridding with fishing line / Gridding Cross Stitch Fabric

Little More Advanced: Stitches

• Floss Coverage
• Cross Country (stitching by colour)
• 7 Ways to Improve Your Cross Stitch
• Different Types of Floss/Thread
• Different Types of Stitches
• How to Use DMC Metallic Threads / Easily Using Metallic Threads / Working With Metallic Floss / Metallic Thread w/ Video / Working With Kreiniks
• Variegated Thread* / Stitch With Variegated Thread* / Multicoloured & Overdyed Floss / Using Variegated Thread (includes video) /
• Blended Threads
• Half-Cross Tent Needlepoint Stitch
• Fractional Stitches / Using Fractional Stitches / Fractional Stitches w/ Video
• Backstitching / Backstitch Video Tutorial
• Blackwork
• Fool-proof French Knots / French Knot How-to / French Knots w/ Video
• Starting Threads with a Pin Stitch / Pin Stitch for Linen
• Stitching Over One vs. Over Two
• Using Beads
• Confetti Stitching
• Railroading
• Changing Colours in a Pattern

Little More Advanced: Tools

• Embroidery Scissors / Choosing Scissors
• Which Size Needles to Use / Choosing Needles
• Are Gold Needles Better?
• Needle Threaders
• Q-Snaps (great alternative to hoops, a video)
• Using a Hoop
• Needle Minders
• Lighting Solutions
• Thread Conditioner

Finishing (washing, framing, etc.)

• Cleaning & Care
• Washing Cross Stitch / How to Wash Finished Project / Wash and Iron Before Framing
• Ironing/Pressing Projects
• Framing Cross Stitch / Frame Finishing / Framing / Home Framing: Lace Method / Frame Using Pins
• Finish in a Hoop / Frame Cross Stitch in a Hoop
• Mounting on Canvas
• Mounting and Framing Using Sticky Board
• Making Cards
• Make a Biscornu / Making Biscornu

Resources & Ideas

• 30 Free Cross Stitch Tools (colour charts, needle sizes, calculators, all sorts)
• Thread Brand Colour Converter
• Fabric Size Calculator: 1 – 2
• Cross Stitch Writing Tool
• Some Free Fonts
• Free Geeky Patterns
• Floss Swatch Project
• Cross Stitch Subreddit