New cross stitcher advise needed!

[Bakingnovice]

I'm making a special name pattern for my dd. it's something I've always wanted to do and I've taken the plunge! I've bought a cross stitch name kit from amazon but am wondering if it includes the ring? I don't think it does! I know I'm an idiot but do you know if kits come with the ring too? Shall I buy one in case? It says needles are included.

No it won't have the ring. But they are only a few pounds to buy. Have fun! I love cross stitching.

I've ordered one so thank you for the reply. Getting this done with dd's name means such a lot to me so please wish me luck.

Ooh which one did you order? I fancy doing one :)

Bluebell as I'm a complete utter novice I went for a basic ten pound one at amazon. I can't link as I'm on the phone but if you google cross stitch name kits into amazon there's a few there. I went for the oneithought was for beginners.

I just can't figure out why I keep getting emotional at the thought of finishing it. Wtaf.

Ah enjoy :) I haven't done any cross stitch for years but used to enjoy it. Did you go for one which was a picture as well as letters? Tips are to find the middle point in aida then count from there (so fold aida in half and half again to find middle point) and do all the stitches in the same direction so / from bottom left to top right and at end of row go back and do \ bottom right to top left. Hope you have fun :)

Thank you! Especially for the finding the middle point. The one I got has pictures of teddy balloons etc. probably too ambitious but am willing to give it a go. Am hoping it helps keep my mind occupied on days I feel low, and I think there's going to be more of them days when dd starts reception in sept.

Can someone help ? The list of instructions I thought would be step by step are mon existent! All I've received is numbered thread and a chart stating:

01 X. White
02. Y. 210.

Etc. a long list. The diagram shows the boxes with different numbers and letters in each box including: numbers 1-8 ( do I start with the number 1) and + signs, small H signs...

None of it makes sense. Also the diagram they sent shows the X across 5 holes so shall I do this? I thought a cross stitch went corner to corner.

The kit is 14 count aida if that helps. This means a lot so any help is v v appreciated. Off to YouTube.

I think the numbers will be the thread colours so 210 will be embroidery thread colour Lavender.

The instructions should tell you how many strands of the thread to use - for normal cross-stitch it is usually 2 strands of thread.

Start each new stitch at the upper left corner, put needle diagonally through bottom right corner then out again at upper right, finish the stitch at bottom left.

You tube is definitely your friend here, or else a cross-stitch book/web-site to explain all the basics.

Also, there are different shades of colours. Ie different shades of yellow. Do I need to tie knots in the back of random squares which go into a block of one colour? For example having three pale yellow crosses amongst 30 bright yellow. Do I just cut a small piece of the pale yellow? Sorry for the inane questions.

The different shades should all have different numbers so you need to keep them separate in a numbered card.

Don't tie knots to finish or start threads. Just catch the trailing thread end under your next few stitches.

Thanks cheddars. Do I start in the exact middle point?

Yes. As Bluebell says fold the material (Aida) in half, then half again to find the right square.

I've also never used a sewing-ring, I have several that have come with kits but I find it easier to hold and bend the material in my hand. I'm no expert though, I just like cross-stitch.

I've found the middle. I've noticed they haven't supplied me with the black thread for back stitching. Is this normal? I'll try and find some in the range. Thanks for all your help!

It doesn't sound like a good kit tbh. Most kits have instructions and everything you'll need, whether they're marketed as beginners or not!

It's not hard though, once you've figured out the basics. (Use 1 strand for back stitching)

There are various ways of doing it... you just have to find the way you like working :)

I don't start in the middle, I start at the top left. I find it easier to count up the aida once and go along and down in colour blocks.

I find the middle, then count up and across to get to the top left. Then do all the stitches in that colour that are near where you have started. Don't do it in rows or you'll end up with colours everywhere!

We can probably help you a bit more if you link to the actual kit you have bought.

There's another way to do your stitches too. It doesn't matter which way you do them, just do which is more comfortable for you and stick to doing them one way as it will look better when you have finished it.

Start at the bottom left hole, out through the top right hole - if you only need one stitch in that colour then come back through the bottom right hole and across to the top left hole. If, however, you need more stitches in that colour then do all the 'bottoms' first then the tops... so left bottom to right top, then come out the hole underneath the top right square and that's your next bottom left take it across to your top right, then back in the square under that and you either have your next left bottom or your first 'return' thread.

So you have /////// then you do the 's going back along the row and you get XXXXX

Then if you have some underneath you do those...

          XXX
         XXXXX
           //// and back \\\\

When you have finished a block of colour just run the thread under your finished stitches and if there's a dark colour next to it, leave a small tail and go over it again, but if it's a light colour next to it, just cut it off.

It sounds complicated - but it's actually really easy - don't despair!

There's no black at all?

It's not a different thread, it's just (usually) one strand of the black.

It does sound like a rubbish kit.

You might be better to get another kit with full instructions, practise on that then do your DD's one when you know what you are doing.

Do you have a Hobbycraft near you where you could get one for a couple of quid?

Are glue sure the outline should be black? Perhaps it is dark blue or something?

Thank you to everyone who has advised. Everything you've all said makes sense. The kit is rubbish. I'll link to it when home tonight, it's from amazon and I bought it as it was marketed as basic. I'm going to give it a go anyway and report back. Just wanted to say how lovely it is to have all this advice.