(Main image from Cottonbro on Pexels)
I’ve been cross stitching since I was a child, so I’ve developed my own way of doing things. Sometimes I come across cross stitch tips or advice and don’t really agree with what’s being said…
I’ve mentioned before that there are a lot of “dos and don’ts” in the cross stitch world, making it impossible to cross stitch the “right” way.
Here are some common pieces of cross stitch advice that I think you can ignore - but remember, these are my personal opinions, and I’m not putting anyone down who does it differently.
1. Needle size and type doesn’t matter
Some people say that when you’re cross stitching, it doesn’t matter what type of needle you use, or how big it is.
I think it really does matter.
The fabric used for cross stitch has a relatively open weave, so that you can easily see where your next stitch should go - you can read more about cross stitching fabrics in my post: 7 cross stitching fabrics, and how to choose the right one for your project.
If you use a needle that’s too big, it’s likely that you’ll cause the holes in your fabric to expand, which will ruin the overall finished look of your project.
A needle too small will be difficult to thread - cross stitch needles (also known as tapestry needles) have a larger eye (the hole that the embroidery thread goes through) than regular sewing needles, and they have a more blunt end too.
Gathered has a really useful cross stitch needle guide if you want to know more about cross stitch needles and how to choose the right one for your project.
2. Don’t worry about the back of your cross stitch project
Many people say you don’t need to worry about what the back of your project looks like, as long as the front looks good, but I think you should ignore that advice.
If the back of your cross stitch project is knotted and messy, this will cause your fabric to become heavy and lumpy, and it’ll make it much harder to get your needle through the fabric.
In addition to that, sometimes all that excess embroidery thread (also known as floss) at the back of your cross stitch project will pull through with your needle and show on the front as well, so it’s best to keep the back neat and cut off any excess thread hanging.
When you finish your cross stitch project, if you have a neat back, it will be flat and smooth, making it easier to iron before displaying however you like. I’ve previously shared 5 creative ideas for displaying your handmade cross stitch art in your home, if you need some inspiration.
3. Always fix your cross stitch mistakes
Everybody makes mistakes when they’re cross stitching, especially when you’re a beginner, and the usual advice is to go back and fix them straight away.
You might’ve heard of the term frogging, which means to unpick, pull or cut out the stitches that aren’t correct.
In most cases, I don’t think it’s necessary to unpick and fix your mistakes, because you will likely be the only person who notices it anyway. Instead, it can be really fun to improvise and work around the stitches that are “wrong”.
4. Don’t carry your floss/jump more than an inch
Carrying your floss is when you jump from the part of the pattern you are cross stitching over to another area, resulting in a long piece of embroidery thread (or floss) on the back of your cross stitch project.
Many cross stitchers advise not to do this, or to keep it under an inch if you do.
I ignore this advice all the time, because I’m not about to finish and start a new piece of thread if I can just jump at the back - even if it is more than an inch - I don’t have time or the patience for that.
As long as you don’t do it so often that you end up with a messy back!
5. You should always start your cross stitch projects in the centre
Many cross stitchers start all of their projects in the centre, and while this rule works for most smaller cross stitch projects, it's not a blanket rule.
For large cross stitch pieces, such as those from Heaven and Earth Designs, it is better to start from one edge of your fabric, rather than in the middle - the usual place to start is the top left corner.
Some people worry that they will get to the other side of their cross stitch project and realise they’ve run out of space to finish, but this can be avoided by carefully measuring your fabric, and you can also grid your fabric.
Gridding makes it much easier to count your stitches and keep track of where you are, especially when working on a large cross stitch project. You can either use a single strand of embroidery thread or washable pen to draw a grid pattern on your fabric before you start cross stitching.
Once you finish your cross stitch project, you either pull the embroidery thread out or wash the pen away, and no one will ever know.
At the end of the day, don’t worry too much about all the rules, just enjoy cross stitching the way you like to do it.
Have a browse of the Meloca Designs blog for loads more cross stitch and diamond painting advice, such as 5 tips for helping your child start cross stitching, 6 tips for taking your cross stitch products on a summer holiday, and 6 diamond painting tips & techniques for beginners.