cross stitch beginner....help!

[gerbo]

I'm looking to start a cross stitch project as a complete novice, as i feel the need to curl up at night and focus on a craft project, but I'm a total beginner.

I've seen some starter kits on a cross stitch website making simple initials, thought i could do my childrens initials?

Are there any kits you'd recommend?? Any tips? I have no idea re fabrics etc. but think the kits come with needles and fabric.

Thanks for any advice! I'm pretty rubbish creatively and am nervous so thought cross-stitch the simplest starting point.....?

Buy a kit - complete initials are good - especially if they are letters with straight lines...

If buying a kit - the first time I would buy one that says "complete (or whole) stitches only" it is fiddly doing part stitches sometimes... and one that has a nice black backstitch outline for you to do too - covers a multitude of sins!

Cross stitch is a great hobby and one you can share with the kids too - if they are the right ages- if you do their initial - let them do one stitch on it....it is then a "family" project....

Good advice Made. Half/straddled stitches can be very confusing for a complete newbie. Start with a whole stitch kit and you'll be able to move on to more complex things in no time!

A tip is to use a highlighter to mark off the stitches on the pattern after you've sewn. Makes it much easier to stop-and-start!

I also fancy getting in to crosstitch this year. Would a sampler be a good way to learn the basics, or are they more of a way to show off your wonderful skills (which as a beginner I don't have!)?

Samplers range from very simple to very complex, so you can choose according to your skill level. The alphabet can be a nice way to start, and a good present if you know someone with a baby etc - or just to hang on your own wall and admire! For example I just bought a pattern for a Disney characters alphabet which I'll stitch for my friend who's got a baby due in March.

Do get a kit though if it's your first time. Then all the right threads are included on a card organiser so it's nice and easy. You can get nice sampler kits which are simple but look lovely.

I still do kits - lots of stitchers do, you can get very complicated ones if you're an expert! Which I am not. But maybe one day!

You can also get books from the library with very simple, small designs to practise. I am sure a haberdashery shop would have someone to help you get started. I am rubbish at sewing and crafting but can manage cross stitch so be hopeful! I remember being told to fold the fabric to find the centre and you can count to find the centre of the pattern. Not an expert though!

As someone who's been stitching since I was 4 or 5 ( I'm 23 now), I would say definitely go for a kit to start out with because it includes all the fabric and threads that you'll need, and a needle. Go for one with 'whole' stitches, as fractional ones can be quite tricky if you're only just starting out. As you get better, you can start to build up your own collection of threads and fabrics etc., it really is addictive once you get started!

Ace, thanks for the help! I've found some kits of a New England style house in summer, you can get all 4 seasons and now I'm obsessed with the idea of doing all 4 so will work up to that :)

A cheap way to buy a small new kit is to buy a magazine with free gift kit. Check for the whole stitches though like others have said, i can't remember off hand which publication is best for that.

Thanks ladies for all your help. Going to order online today! Fingers crossed...my mums a craft expert and does loads of complex embroidery, quilting, etc. I think I'm a bit intimidated by starting so simply and having been told I'm creatively a bit useless! We will see! Thanks for tips....seminyak I hope you get on well too.