Guide

Cross Stitch Supplies for Beginners

You need surprisingly little to start cross stitching, and most of it is inexpensive. Craft store aisles can still be confusing, though. This guide explains what each supply does, which ones are essential, and which are nice extras you can add later.

The essentials

If you only buy five things, make them these:

1. Fabric (Aida cloth)
2. Embroidery floss
3. Tapestry needles
4. Small scissors
5. A pattern

A hoop is strongly recommended too, though not strictly required. Everything else on this page makes stitching more comfortable, but you can start without it.

Fabric

Aida cloth is the beginner's friend: a stiff cotton woven in little squares with visible holes. Buy 14-count for your first project. It's what most patterns assume, and the holes are easy to see. White or antique white is the most versatile.

You can buy Aida in pre-cut pieces or by the yard. Make sure your piece is big enough to leave about 3 inches spare on each side of the design. Our size planning guide shows how to work that out, and the Aida count guide explains the other counts.

Embroidery floss

Six-strand cotton floss is the standard thread. In the US, DMC is the brand most patterns list, so buying DMC means you can match the pattern's color numbers exactly. Buy by color number rather than by eye. Individual skeins are inexpensive; at US craft stores they typically cost around a dollar or less each (approximate, and prices vary by store and over time). Read more in our DMC thread guide.

Needles

Cross stitch uses tapestry needles. They have a blunt, rounded tip that slips through the holes in the fabric without splitting the threads or pricking your fingers as easily, and a long eye that takes several strands of floss.

Tapestry needles are sized by number. The higher the number, the smaller the needle.

The right needle should pass through a hole without stretching it. If it feels like you're forcing it through, try a smaller size. If the needle drops through loosely and your thread fuzzes from rubbing, the eye may be too small for your strands; try the next size up.

Needles come in plain steel and plated finishes such as gold or platinum. Plated needles glide a little more smoothly, and some stitchers prefer them, but ordinary steel needles work perfectly well. Needles do slowly dull and tarnish, so it's worth replacing them now and then. Mixed packs of sizes 24 and 26 are a good buy for a beginner.

Hoops and frames

Holding the fabric taut makes your stitches more even. You have a few choices:

• Embroidery hoops. Two rings, wood or plastic, with a screw to tighten. A 6-inch or 7-inch hoop is comfortable to hold for most people. You move it around the fabric as you work. Wooden hoops are traditional; plastic hoops with a lip can grip slippery fabric better. Take the fabric out of the hoop when you're not stitching, as leaving it clamped for long periods can leave marks that are hard to remove.
• Snap frames. Square frames made of plastic tubes with clips that snap over the fabric. They're light, easy to reposition and gentler on stitches than a tight hoop.
• Scroll frames. Two rollers with side bars. The fabric is attached to the rollers and wound so only one section is exposed. Good for large projects, especially with a floor or lap stand.
• Stretcher bars. Wooden bars that slot together into a rectangle; the fabric is tacked or pinned to them. They keep the whole piece taut at once.
• No hoop at all. Some people stitch "in hand," especially on stiff Aida. If that feels comfortable and your stitches look even, it's perfectly fine.

For a first small project, a basic hoop slightly bigger than your design (or a size you can move around) is all you need.

Scissors

Small, sharp embroidery scissors with fine points let you snip thread close to the fabric and carefully unpick mistakes. Keep them only for thread so they stay sharp. A pair of larger fabric scissors is useful for cutting your Aida to size, but kitchen scissors aren't a good substitute because they often chew the edges.

Nice-to-have extras

Needle minder

A needle minder is a decorative magnet in two parts that sits on the front of your fabric with its partner behind. It holds your needle when you pause, so it doesn't get lost in the sofa. They're inexpensive and very handy, though you may want to move it off the fabric when storing the project to avoid any marks.

Good lighting

Seeing the holes clearly makes stitching more relaxing and accurate. A bright lamp positioned over your shoulder or a daylight-style bulb helps, especially on dark fabric or finer counts. Many stitchers also like a magnifier, either clip-on, around the neck or on a stand, for detailed work.

Floss bobbins and storage

Plastic or card bobbins and a divided box keep thread untangled and labelled with its color number. A floss ring or punched card works well for gathering one project's colors together.

Highlighter pens and a copy of your chart

Mark off stitches as you finish them. It's the easiest way to keep your place.

Needle threader

Helpful if you find threading fine needles fiddly. A simple trick that also works: fold the floss over the needle, pinch the fold tight and push the flat fold through the eye.

Project bag

Any zip bag or pouch that keeps your fabric, thread and chart clean and together. A tote you can grab and go makes it easier to stitch in waiting rooms or on trips.

Water-soluble marking pen

Useful for marking your fabric's center or a grid. Always test on a scrap first and follow the manufacturer's directions, as some marks can be set by heat.

Should you start with a kit?

A kit is a great way to begin. It usually includes fabric, pre-sorted thread, a needle and a chart, and sometimes a hoop. You don't have to work out quantities or match colors.

When choosing a kit:

• Look for "counted" cross stitch if you want to learn to follow a chart. "Stamped" kits have the design printed on the fabric, which some beginners find easier, but the printed ink can be hard to cover or follow precisely.
• Check the fabric count. 11 or 14-count is friendliest for a first project.
• Keep it small. A design of a few inches with a handful of colors and mostly full stitches gives you a satisfying finish in a few evenings.
• Read the contents. Some kits include a hoop or frame; many don't.

Small beginner kits commonly cost roughly $10 to $30 in the US (approximate; prices vary widely by brand and size).

A sample starter shopping list

• One piece of 14-count Aida, white or antique white, sized for your design plus margins
• The DMC colors on your pattern's key
• A pack of size 24 tapestry needles
• A 6-inch or 7-inch embroidery hoop
• Small embroidery scissors
• A highlighter and a printed copy of your chart

If you're making your own pattern from a photo, our free pattern maker gives you a DMC thread list you can take straight to the store. Then head to our beginner's how-to to make your first stitch.