You can use either Aida cloth or line for Celtic cross stitch, but Aida is the preferred fabric because the holes are already in the fabric for you. It is also bets for beginners and for those who may have poor eyesight. It is available in 8, 11, 14, 16 and 18 blocks per 2.5 cm. The fabric count will tell you how many blocks there are in a standard square of Aida cloth. This fabric also comes in many different colors and you can also dye it to your preferred color. Linen has very few holes counts, which is why it is a difficult fabric for beginners to use. However, there are irregularities in linen, which gives the finished product a more unique look.

The basic stitches you need to learn for this cross stitch design are:

• X. The X stitch is the basic stitch in any cross stitch pattern. To make this stitch you first have to make a small knot in the end of the thread. Bring the needle up through one of the holes from the wrong side of the fabric so that you now have the needle on the right side. Insert the needle in the hole in the diagonal corner of the square and then bring it back up through the opposite hole. When you once again pass the needle through the corresponding diagonal hole, you have an X pattern over the square.
• /. This is the half-sticth pattern and represents one half of the basic X stitch. You simply bring the needle up through a hole and then pass it down through the hole in the diagonal corner.
• The Quarter stitch pattern is one half of the half stitch. When you bring your needle up through the hole, put it down through the fabric halfway between the hole and the one in the diagonal corner.
• A three-quarter stitch is a combination of both the half and quarter stitch designs. First you make a half stitch and then you proceed as if you were going to make a full X. Instead of making the second half of the stitch you put the needle through the middle of the half stitch.

Once you know how to make these stitches, you can create your own Celtic designs that you can use for cross stitch. You do need to have graph paper for such a project. Using a felt tip open make prominent dots in the corners of the squares on the graph paper. Highlight every second dot with a pen. Once you trace out your design in this way for the length of the sheet of paper, then you can start doing the same thing horizontally.

Use one section of the graph paper where you have five regular dots and four highlighted dots. Make sure you measure so that your square is even. Each highlighted dot will be the place where the threads intersect, so you can place a small X over these dots. Continue marking these dots with an X all the way to the border but do not mark those that lie on the line of the border. When you have all the highlighted dots crisscrossed, you can join the knot lines along the sides. You will see how they bow out towards each other. Make a double line to connect them to make your circle.

About the author: Tong Lin. For lots of information on Celtic Cross stitch,the significance of the Celtic Cross and where to find Celtic Crosses visit http://www.MyCelticCrossStitch.com

© Cross Stitch For Free. For more free cross stitch pattern, visit our site.

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1. Tips for Cross Stitch Beginners
2. From Samplers to Heirlooms: Cross Stitch Is A Real Art Form
3. How To Do Cross-stitch – Top Ten Beginners’ Mistakes

Cross-stitch is a wonderful, rewarding hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. Avoid these common beginners’ mistakes and soon you will be creating stunning pieces of cross-stitch work to treasure.

1. Choosing the wrong pattern

With the extensive range of charts on offer it is often tempting to start with something too complicated. For your first cross stitch project choose a chart with a relatively small design area and no more than 3 or 4 worked colours. You will have the satisfaction of completing it relatively quickly and can soon progress to something more challenging.

2. Tangling your threads

There’s nothing more stressful than tangled threads so always keep them organised. When starting a project, punch a line of holes in a piece of card and loosely tie each coloured skein through a separate hole. Label each hole with the appropriate thread reference number and chart symbol.

3. Not finishing your edges

Some even weave fabrics and linens fray easily. Before you start stitching, prepare your fabric properly by loosely back stitching around the edges with cotton.

4. Loosing your place on the chart

For a large piece of work it is sometimes hard to keep your place on the chart. Before you start work, divide your chart into a grid of workable areas and mark with a coloured pencil. Stitch a corresponding grid onto your fabric using brightly coloured cotton. Sew loosely so that the cotton can be removed easily on completion of the project.

5. Stitching too tightly

Keep your stitches evenly tensioned or your fabric will buckle or stretch out of shape. Many cross-stitchers find that a hoop helps to keep the fabric taut as they work.

6. Not starting in the middle

The centre of a chart is clearly marked. You should always start stitching from this point and work outwards to the edges of your design otherwise your fabric will pull out of shape.

7. Leaving the needle in your work

Always remove the needle when you finish sewing to avoid rust marks staining your fabric.

8. Getting your work dirty

Grubby work looks unattractive. Wash your hands before you stitch and store ongoing work in a sealed bag or container. Finished pieces can be washed by hand with a gentle detergent. Dry by rolling in a towel – never wring fabric.

9. Starting with a knot

Knots should never be used to start off a new thread. Instead, leave a 10mm length of thread at the back of your work. Hold it against the fabric as you work your next stitches and it will eventually be kept in place by the new stitches. Trim off any excess thread.

10. Straining your eyes

It is very important to avoid eye strain by working in a well lit room. During daylight hours, work by a window where possible. Consider buying a halogen lamp for stitching in the evenings. If your eyesight is really poor, you might need to invest in a magnifier to place in front of your work.

Louise Dop is a successful freelance writer and technical author. Her ebook, The Writer’s Secret Weapon, brings together a collection of the best free online resources for writers and gives an insight into the writing life. With over 50 direct links to resources, this straightforward guide will show you the real-life tips and tricks that – armed with an Internet connection and basic computer literacy – you can try for yourself right away. http://www.clearlywrite.co.uk

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Louise_Dop

© Cross Stitch For Free. For more free cross stitch pattern, visit our site.

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3. Cross Stitch Professionals Perform These 3 Great Tricks To Stay Ahead Of The Pack

It doesn’t matter whether you are a beginner or an experienced cross-stitch stitcher, there are always new things you can learn to give your projects that increasingly polished look. But getting that professional look takes practice and skill, so here are three great tricks the professionals use to make their designs look better than the rest.

Great looking Front and Back: When you begin cross-stitching one frustrating aspect of the craft is a backside of your fabric that looks like someone threw down a ball of multi-colored floss. Some cross-stitchers just resign themselves to the fact that the back of their fabric will never look as good as the front while looking at those “neatnik” experts with envy. However, there are a few ways you can keep your back looking almost as nice as the front.

First, you can make extra effort to keep your stitches consistent. Use one method of stitching (English or Danish) throughout your whole piece. Using one method keeps the back of your piece looking as good as the front. Also, you can end your threads by weaving them under the same color. If there is not enough of that same color, try to weave it under a similar color in the back. Finally, you can avoid carrying your threads at all. Just end them and restart.

Fabric that Lies Flat: After using hoops or holding your fabric, wrinkles can become a bane of your stitching existence. They are difficult to get out of any cross-stitch fabric, but often they are inevitable. You can use two methods to get the wrinkles out of your fabric, keeping it looking professional.

You can use heat or cold to get out the wrinkles in your fabric. To use your freezer, you can simply wet the fabric along the folds then slip it into a paper bag so it can lie flat. Lay the piece as flat as possible in the freezer until it is frozen solid. Removed it from the freezer and immediately iron it until it is thawed and dry. Then let it rest overnight on the ironing board before moving it. Also, you can wet the folds in the fabric and place it in the microwave for 30 seconds. Then iron it. Let the piece cool before you move it.

The Colonial Knot: One frustration for many cross-stitchers is the French knot. It is a difficult knot to do without it unraveling or coming through the back of the fabric — and forget all about using a delicate floss, such as metallic. Many stitchers also complain that they can never get all the knots to look the same size on the fabric. However, there is an alternative that will give your work a professional look — the colonial knot.

To do a colonial knot you place the needle behind the standing thread. Then you drop the thread over the needle, front to back. Push the thread toward the standing thread to form a loop. Pull the thread in front of the standing thread up and over the needle. This should create a drop toward the tip of the needle, to the left of where the first drop occurred.

Now you are going to follow the same instructions as the French knot. You insert the needle tip going over one thread toward the upper right. Then pull the working thread taut so the knot slides down the needle and rests on the fabric. Make sure the knot is tight. Finally, pull the working thread toward the left of the knot. Use your thumbnail (non-needle hand) to hold the knot while working the thread. Keep the tension on the thread and thumb on the fabric, bring the needle through to the back. You can release the tension a little just as the eye of the needle passes through the knot. But hold on to the remaining thread tension until the next stitch so that the knot is maintained.

And there you have it. Three great tricks performed by the professionals… and now you too.

John Wigham has been a professional author and editor for 20 years and is a co-founder of http://www.patternspatch.com an online cross stitch club dedicated to counted cross stitch. The website features many dedicated cross stitch articles and cross stitch patterns all available for download by the members. In addition to the lively discussion forums, a series of in depth cross stitch tutorials and interviews with leading cross stitch designers is about to be launched. The patterns Patch staff comprises a team of experienced writers and stitchers who are passionate about cross stitch and enjoy writing about their hobby.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Wigham

© Cross Stitch For Free. For more free cross stitch pattern, visit our site.

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Cross stitching is great fun and really easy to learn. If you are a beginner, follow these tips and you will be cross stitching in no time.

To prepare fabric for cross stitching cut the fabric at least 3” larger than the finished design. This will leave room for matting and framing. Either whipstitch, use a machine to zigzag, or apply liquid ravel prevention to the edges of the fabric. This will prevent fraying of the fabric while you work.

Use a blunt tipped tapestry type needle. Do not use a regular sewing needle as it will pierce holes in the fabric and is not necessary due to the fact that cross stitch fabric has holes already. For fabric with 11 or fewer threads per inch use a size 24 needle, for 14 to 18 threads per inch use size 26. Also no not leave the needle in your work as it may rust or leave a permanent impression.

You will need a hoop or stretcher bar frame to keep your fabric tight and this will help you make stitches that are uniform. It is best if you can find a frame large enough to cover your entire design.

The graph has squares that contain a symbol that represents 1 stitch. Each symbol corresponds to a color of embroidery floss. Usually the floss is identified by name and number on a color code.

You will need to find the center of your fabric by folding it in half horizontally and then vertically. Then put your needle through the center of the fabric. Next you will need to find the center of your graph and then begin stitching from the center out to the edges.

Use about 18” of floss. This is a good length to work with. Separate all 6 strands and then combine them as per what your pattern calls for. If your floss begins to twist you should try to straighten it by suspending the needle and allowing it to unwind.

Hopefully these tips will help you get started cross stitching soon. Cross stitch is fun and also makes for great gifts.

Author: S. Armstrong http://www.crossstitchalley.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=S._Armstrong

© Cross Stitch For Free. For more free cross stitch pattern, visit our site.

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Stamped Cross Stitch

Stamped cross stitch uses the basic “x” stitch to form a picture or large lettering, but the image of the “x” is already stamped onto the fabric. The needle is inserted at the top of one side of the “x” from the bottom of the fabric and then brought diagonally to the bottom of that side of the “x.” To finish a stitch, the needle is then brought up from underneath the fabric and reinserted across the first half of the “x” now forming the completed cross stitch.

You can do an entire row of cross stitches by going from top to bottom on one side and then going back over the row in the other direction. The important part to remember is to keep the underneath stitches all going in the same direction and the top stitches all the other way. This makes the finished image have the same knap and allow it look as if it were painted.

Counted Cross Stitch

Counted cross stitch works the same way, only the image is not printed on the fabric. Instead, symbols on a pattern tell you what color thread, called floss in cross stitching lingo, to use and for how many stitches. You then count from there how many stitches to use for the next color on your pattern.

The best way to start a counted cross stitch is to find the center of the image on your pattern and the center on your fabric and start from there. Patterns are printed on grids and cross stitch fabric looks like a grid, so it is easy to match the squares you’ll use to form the “x”es from the pattern to the fabric.

Cross Stitch Fabric & Materials

The fabric used for cross stitch has a number assigned to it that tells you how many little squares there are per inch. The higher the number, the smaller the finished image will be. For example, ADIA 14 fabric, which is the most common size, has 14 squares per inch. A fabric with 11 count will produce a larger image and is easier for beginners. Fabric with 21 count is very tiny. You pattern will tell you how big the finished image will be based on what size fabric you use. This is how you will know how big you need to cut your fabric.

For more information go to http://www.infostormpublishing.com/ebooks/?bk=37

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kent_Sayre

© Cross Stitch For Free. For more free cross stitch pattern, visit our site.

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Cross stitching is a great hobby for children. It can help to develop hand to eye coordination, shape and colour recognition, as well as encourage cooperative behavior, patience and creativity. Most of all, it can be good fun for you and your child — an interest to share together, and become a hobby that your child can enjoy without an adult being present, and a passion for life!

The first experience of cross stitching is important. You’ll want this to be a happy experience for both of you. If it isn’t, the child may be reluctant to start again. Children usually want to see fast results, and especially to finish their first sessions on a positive and successful note.

Let your child choose a simple design, perhaps a favourite animal or character that contains only two or three colours, and in whole stitches only. As for fabric, tiny hands may have difficulty with aida or evenweave, so you may want to consider using plastic canvas or 6-count Binca. As your child becomes more experienced, 11- and 14- count fabrics will be the next step.

You’ll also need to provide appropriately sized needles. A size 22 tapestry needle will do the job very well. An easier option is to choose a kit designed and manufactured for children (see below). Choosing a kit together can create a lot of pleasure and anticipation for the project ahead.

Gentle supervision will be necessary during the child’s first attempts. Make sure the child washes hands carefully before stitching begins. In the early days eating must be discouraged, as anyone who has tried to remove melted chocolate from fabric will testify.

Arrange things so that all items are within easy reach. The child must also appreciate the need to keep track of the needle and scissors, as these are potentially dangerous items to lose. You can stress the importance of returning the scissors to its special place, perhaps in the middle of the table.

Sessions should be short enough to keep the child’s attention and enthusiasm, but long enough to achieve some sort of noticeable progress. Starting the first stitches can be the most difficult part of the project, and it’s advisable to help your child by starting off the stitching yourself, anchoring the thread carefully at the back. It’s probably unnecessary to give too much information at first, but there are certain tips that can help your child enjoy stitching.

You may decide to let your child practise the basic cross-stitch on a piece of scrap material before attempting the real thing. You’ll need to explain and demonstrate that the square in the fabric matches the square in the design. You can also demonstrate allowing the needle to dangle and spin around, at regular intervals so that the thread untwists itself.

You may also encourage making each stitch in the same way, so that the top legs of the stitches go in the same direction. It’s also a good idea for children to complete each stitch before attempting the next one. The child can then see the picture growing in a satisfying way.

As with all new tasks, children learn best by having their efforts praised at regular intervals (don’t we all?). Stitching must be fun rather than being a test, a chore or a battle of wits. It’s rewarding for the child to finish the piece, rather than have you take over, even if this means that you may do some of the more difficult parts of the design and leave the last, easier stitches for the child to complete.

The finished article should be commented on in positive terms by all the family, and you could consider ironing the piece and then placing it in a frame and displaying it so that everyone can be reminded of the achievement. As well as giving the child added confidence, this can also mean that the next project will be eagerly anticipated.

Kits for children can be bought in the UK from:

• Crafts Unlimited Link to: http://www.crafts-unlimited.co.uk/system/index.html
• The Coleshill Collection Link to: http://www.coleshillcollection.co.uk/shop.asp?mode=cat&item=17
• Chunky cross stitch for children by Pako Link to: http://www.sewandso.co.uk/ran1768-0.html

Article Source: http://www.articlewheel.com

John Wigham has been a professional author and editor for 20 years and is a co-founder of www.patternspatch.com an online cross stitch club dedicated to counted cross stitch. The website has a small team of writers who are devoted to our cross stitch club and enjoy writing about their hobby.

© Cross Stitch For Free. For more free cross stitch pattern, visit our site.

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2. Tips for Cross Stitch Beginners
3. A Tutorial For Celtic Cross Stitch

There are many different types of needles to use in embroidery and cross stitching. Quality and size vary greatly, so try several different needles to find which one you are the most comfortable using. To help you get started, I have written up some basics to keep in mind when choosing which needles to use and when to use them.

Types of needles:

The most common needle used in cross stitching is an embroidery or tapestry needle. Other needles exist, such as beading, chenille, quilting, and milliners needles, and each type has a specific use. Here is a brief description of each type of needle.

• Tapestry needles – They have a blunt point, which pushes aside evenweave fabrics instead of piercing them, and a large eye to accommodate several strands of thread.
• Embroidery needles – Much like a tapestry needle, except that the tip is sharper, the needle is thinner and the eye is smaller than a tapestry needle. They are easier to use in cross stitching when you are doing French knots, as the needle is able to pierce the fabric easier than tapestry needles.
• Petite tapestry needles – Are shorter in length than tapestry needles, which makes stitching faster since there is less of a needle to pull through the fabric with each stitch.
• Double-eye tapestry needles – Are needles with two eyes and are especially useful when using different types of floss or two or more colours (known as blending colours).
• Beading needles – Are used for adding beads. The needles are long and thin because tapestry needles are usually too large to add beads to cross stitch projects.
• Chenille needles – Are used in ribbon embroidery because they have a long eye and sharp points.
• Quilting needles – Are quite short and have a small, round eye and a sharp point. They are perfect to do short stitches quickly and precisely.
• Milliners needles – Are the best needles to use when doing French and Bullion knots. They are very long, with small round eyes, as opposed to the long oval eyes of a tapestry needle.

Quality:

Look for high quality needles and threads, as this will make for a more enjoyable stitching experience and produce a higher quality finish. Poor quality needles are harder to thread because they have a rough eye that will actually pull and fray your thread. Poor quality thread will fray easily, making it hard to thread through the needle and giving your finished piece a fuzzy appearance.

Different needle sizes:

On higher count fabric, you need a smaller sized needle. Kind in mind that the larger the number size of the needle is, the smaller the actual needle will be. For example, a size 26 tapestry needle is smaller than a size 24 tapestry needle. The higher the count of the fabric, the smaller the holes in the fabric, therefore you will need a smaller needle. As a guideline, use a size 24 tapestry needle for stitching on an 11 or 14 fabric count; use a size 26 for fabric with a fabric count of 18 or greater.

I hope you have found this information helpful. For more helpful cross stitch tips and tricks, please visit http://www.beautifulcreations.ca and remember to check out our free patterns while you are there.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joanne_Jones

© Cross Stitch For Free. For more free cross stitch pattern, visit our site.

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