Things to do · Arts and crafts
Learn cross stitch
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Cross stitch is counted work, built one small cross at a time over the squares of a gridded fabric, so you follow a chart rather than draw a design. The Embroiderers' Guild of America calls it an easy entry point because there is only one stitch to learn.
GentleUnder £100 / $130A few weeksIndoorsAlone or with othersUK and US
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Fabric, thread and charts
Cross stitch is worked from a chart on a fabric woven as a grid. The count is the number of stitches to the inch (2.5cm), so the lower the count, the bigger each cross. The Embroiderers' Guild of America says many patterns are designed for 14-count Aida and recommends it for beginners. Evenweave and linen are finer: you stitch over one or two threads, and the count is double that of Aida.
Stranded cotton, sold in the US as embroidery floss, comes as six strands twisted together. The guild advises separating them before you stitch, using two strands on 14-count Aida, and three for black (DMC 310). You secure the start and end of the thread under a line of stitches on the back.
For a wider range of stitches, see our page on learning hand embroidery.
Ways in compared
| Where | Format | Cost (as last listed) |
|---|---|---|
| The Crescent, Belfast | Two evening classes; fabrics and counts, a simple project to finish at home; all materials provided; open to all levels | £35 or £33, including materials |
| Nottingham College | Weekly afternoon class, January to March 2027; reading simple charts and finishing a small project; no experience needed | £165 |
| Community College of Baltimore County, Maryland | The Ins and Outs of Counted Cross Stitch: weekly afternoon class (spring 2025) | $53, plus a $10 materials fee |
| University of Utah Lifelong Learning | Contemporary Cross Stitching: reading a pattern, choosing supplies, common stitches (spring 2025) | $95, including a $20 fee for all materials |
In the US, the Embroiderers' Guild of America says it has 220 chapters across the country, two fully virtual chapters and many groups that meet both in person and online. You can join through a local chapter or as a member-at-large.
How to start
- Book a short beginners' class at an arts centre, or adult-education college, or start with a small kit on 14-count Aida, the fabric the Embroiderers' Guild of America suggests for beginners.
- Separate your stranded cotton (embroidery floss in the US) into single strands, then stitch with two strands together over one square of the fabric.
- Find the middle of the chart from the arrows at its edges, fold your fabric to find its centre, and start stitching from there.
Where to go
- The Crescent, Belfast: An Introduction to Cross Stitch UK
- Nottingham College: Cross Stitch Embroidery for Beginners UK
- Embroiderers' Guild of America: about the guild and its chapters US
We opened these links on 10 November 2026 and found them to be what we say. Dates, places and prices are on the official page, where they stay up to date.
Plan this
Pick a day, or a month, and we will set out how to get ready, step by step, with a date and a reason for each. Courses and classes have start dates and can fill up, so the plan begins with finding and booking one. Kit comes after the first session, once you know what you need.
Questions people ask
What count Aida is best for beginners?
The Embroiderers' Guild of America recommends 14-count Aida for beginners, and says many patterns are designed for it.
How many strands of floss do you use for cross stitch?
The general rule is two strands on 14-count Aida. Lower counts usually need more strands, and the guild notes that black is often stitched with three.
What is the difference between cross stitch and embroidery?
Cross stitch is counted embroidery, worked from a chart over the squares of a gridded fabric, and the Embroiderers' Guild of America notes there is only one stitch to learn.
Do you tie a knot in cross stitch?
The Embroiderers' Guild of America advises securing the start and end of the thread under a line of stitches on the back.
Where this comes from: Embroiderers' Guild of America, 10 Essential Things to Know Before Starting Cross Stitch; Embroiderers' Guild of America, About us; Embroiderers' Guild of America, Join EGA: memberships; The Crescent, An Introduction to Cross Stitch; Nottingham College, Cross Stitch Embroidery for Beginners; Community College of Baltimore County, The Ins and Outs of Counted Cross Stitch; University of Utah Lifelong Learning, Contemporary Cross Stitching. Opened 10 November 2026.
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