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Free resources

Printable blank charts for designing your own patterns and a plain guide to the basics. Take whatever is useful.

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Blank charts

Print these at 100 percent with no page scaling, or the squares will not come out square.

Blank chart
A single page grid with the centre marked, branded with The Cross Elephant logo. Print it and design your own word or name in the space before you stitch.
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Cross stitch basics
A one page illustrated guide covering how to set up, stitch and finish off.
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Guide

Four steps to get a name or phrase centred on your fabric before you thread a needle.

1
Choose an alphabet by height
Pick the alphabet whose stitch height (H) fits your fabric count and the hoop or frame size you have in mind.
2
Count the letters and spaces
Count every letter, space and punctuation mark in your message so you know how wide it will be.
3
Mark the centre on the blank chart
Find the centre of the blank chart and the centre of your fabric, and line them up before you start.
4
Stitch outward from the centre
Work outward from the centre point in both directions so your finished word stays centred on the fabric.

Guide

Everything you need to know to finish your first pattern.

Choosing your fabric count
Aida count is simply how many stitches fit in an inch. 14 count is the friendly default: big enough to see, small enough to look neat. Divide your stitch count by the fabric count to get the finished size in inches.
Reading a chart
Each square on the chart is one cross stitch. Each symbol means one thread colour, listed in the key. Find the centre of the chart, find the centre of your fabric, and start there.
How many strands
Two strands of stranded cotton on 14 count is the usual answer. One strand on 18 count. Backstitch outlines are almost always a single strand.
Starting and finishing
No knots. Leave a tail on the back and catch it under your first few stitches, then weave the end under stitches on the back when you finish a colour.
Keeping it even
Cross every stitch the same way - bottom left to top right first, always. Consistency does more for a finished piece than perfect tension.
Finishing up
Wash gently in cool water if it needs it, press face down on a towel while damp, and mount over acid-free board before framing.