Knitting by a cross for beginners. Cross-stitch

Embroidery instruction

1. Preparation for work.

Canvas and scheme

This cross stitch guide will help you understand how to embroider correctly and where to start. Determine the center of the embroidery by folding the canvas in four. It corresponds to the center of the diagram, which is defined by two intersecting lines with arrows at the ends. Please note that the chart does not reflect the finished size of the embroidery. The cells on the diagram correspond to the squares on the canvas. Empty cells indicate areas not to be embroidered (Fig. 1).

Threads

The floss sack consists of 6 strands. So that the finished work does not differ from the photo on the cover of the set and in order to avoid a shortage of floss, use the number of threads strictly specified in the set diagram. Figure 2 shows what is meant by "1-strand embroidery" and "2-strand embroidery".

2. Cross stitching

It is more convenient to embroider from the center, moving towards the edges. First, the main stitches-crosses and half-crosses are embroidered, then additional stitches - a line stitch, French knots, etc. The working thread is fastened from the wrong side under the first few stitches (Fig. 3). After filling in the section, finish off the thread, also passing it under the existing stitches. No knots are necessary as the embroidery will look uneven.

It is better to embroider in horizontal rows. First overlap the bottom stitches in one direction, then back up the top stitches (Fig. 4). For neat embroidery, keep the top and bottom stitches in the same order. The tension of the thread should be the same, moderately loose, so that the cross turns out to be voluminous.

When passing from one piece of embroidery to another, do not pull more than 2-3 cm of thread from the wrong side, otherwise the embroidery will puff up. It is better to cut the thread and fasten it again in another area.

If you make a mistake, loosen the stitches with a needle, if you rip with scissors, you can damage the canvas.

3. Additional stitches

Performed last, over the embroidered crosses.

Seam stitching

This stitch is used to sew the individual details to make the embroidery more expressive. In the diagram, it is indicated by thin lines.

Performed by the "back needle" method. The needle exits to the front side at point 1 and goes to the wrong side at point 2. Then it exits from the wrong side at point 3 and returns to the front side to point 1, etc. (Fig. 5). It is better to break long stitches into small ones, 1-1.5 cm long, while clearly following the pattern.

Stalk seam

It is carried out from left to right, using the "back needle" method. The needle goes to the front side at point 1 and leaves at point 2. The needle with the second stitch 2-3 goes to the front side at point 3, - in the middle of the previous stitch 1-2, enters the canvas at point 4 and exits at point 5, which coincides with point 2 (Fig. 6). The working thread should always be on one side. You cannot change the direction of the thread during operation, otherwise the structure of the seam will be disturbed. All stitches must be of the same size.

French knot

Bring the needle out from the wrong side to the right side of the canvas. Wrap the thread around the needle point (once for a single-wound knot, twice for a double-wound knot). While pulling the thread, bring the point of the needle to the wrong side, stepping back from the emerging thread 1 - 2 mm. Gently slide the needle to the wrong side while pressing down on the knot with your thumb. Tighten the knot (Fig. 7).

Attaching beads

Thread the needle through to the right side of the embroidery. String the bead onto the needle and lower it down the thread to the canvas. Pull the needle inside out at the same point to secure the bead in place (Fig. 8).

4. Washing and ironing

We recommend washing the finished embroidery in a lukewarm soapy solution, then gently wring it out, wrapping it in a towel, and let it dry a little in a straightened state. Iron the damp work face down on a towel, without pressing, so that the crosses on the front side do not crumple and remain convex.

5. Design

Finished embroidery is an art. It is of great importance and should complement the picture harmoniously. It is important to correctly choose the color and size of the mat, the style and texture of the frame. To do this, it is best to contact a framing workshop.

Cross-stitch- one of the most popular types of needlework. Using a needle and various threads, a simple fabric is transformed into a work of art. It is so nice to show or present the results of your work to relatives and friends later. And the product will delight the eye with its uniqueness for a long time.

Sewing is great for relieving stress and helping you to relax. The mobility of this hobby allows you to take your embroidery with you wherever you go. Play your favorite music and embroider.

Two ways to start embroidering

The first way(simple) - buy a small embroidery kit, no more than ten colors. The set already has everything you need except the hoop. Embroider with pleasure! And the joy of the result with the small size of the embroidery and the number of colors will not be long in coming.

Second way- collect the set yourself. What is needed for embroidery:

1. Canvas.
The canvas is divided into two types. Aida is a fabric that forms distinct squares with holes in their corners. It is easy to count threads on it. One cross - one square.
The fabric of uniform weave is linen or cotton fabric with a uniform weave of threads, the structure of the fabric is rather rare. The cross is sewn through two threads.

2. Needles.
It is better to choose needles with a blunt rounded end and a large eye. The rounded end is needed in order to easily fall into the holes between the squares without damaging the fabric and hands too. The large eyelet does not fray the thread.
It is necessary to have 6-7 needles of different thickness and length. They embroider with fine needles on marquise, cambric, crepe de Chine and thin linen; medium in length and thickness - on canvas, linen and cotton fabrics, large - on coarse fabric, in particular, on wool. The needles are kept dry to avoid corrosion.

3. Thimble.
The thimble should be selected exactly the size of the middle finger of the right hand so that it is not large and at the same time does not squeeze the finger. The best are thimbles made of stainless steel. Recently, they began to produce thimbles with a bottom. They are more convenient to work with than the previously widespread thimbles without a bottom. When you first start working with a thimble, you feel awkward in the movement of your fingers, but over time this feeling disappears. It is recommended to work with a thimble.

4. Embroidery hoop.
A wooden hoop with a screw holds the fabric tension best. When buying a hoop, pay attention to its surface, which should be well finished. Then they will not damage the canvas with sharp corners. Plastic hoops are often soft, so it's hard to pull the canvas over them.

5. Threads.
For cross stitching, they usually use floss, acrylic, wool. Which company? Everyone chooses for himself, depending on the desire and capabilities.

Cross-stitching is a kind of needlework that many people want to master. Original embroidered products allow you to decorate the living space, make clothes bright and beautiful. Cross stitching for beginners will not seem too difficult if, during the learning process, a beginner master with great attention and patience delves into the peculiarities of the embroidery process, thoroughly studies the technique of performing different types of stitches.

Fundamental rules

In the absence of practical experience in cross-stitching, it is recommended to carefully study the rules of embroidery, arm yourself with the necessary materials and tools. Experienced craftsmen recommend starting the path to mastering the basics of embroidery from a specialized outlet where you can buy a ready-made cross stitch kit. This will save novice needlewomen from searching for suitable schemes, selecting appropriate materials. The finished set contains:

• canvas;
• scheme;
• threads;
• needle.

If you are tempted by the proposed scheme on the Internet, the needlewoman will have to carry out the calculations on her own in order to determine exactly how many threads must be purchased for embroidery of the pattern she likes.

The first lessons of cross stitching do not involve the creation of paintings, it is recommended to take as a basis a simple and small drawing with a small number of colors. It will be easy to embroider a small flower with a cross on your own; such a process will not take much time. The quick result motivates you to take the next creative steps. By mastering the stitching technique step by step, it is possible to avoid any difficulties, to successfully improve the skills of embroidery.

Experienced needlewomen at master classes recommend buying a light canvas, since embroidery on a dark canvas is accompanied by some difficulties. Before starting work, you need to overcast the edges of the canvas so that they do not crumble during the embroidery process.

Needlewomen initially need to carefully study the embroidery pattern, pay attention to the options for the stitches used, determine how many thread folds are used to create the selected pattern. If possible, you can watch a video in which experienced craftsmen explain step by step how to cross stitch. In such cases, you can view the same fragment several times if any difficulties arise.

It will be correct to use a thread, the length of which has an optimal length of 30 cm. Of course, you can take a thread of a different length, but an excessively short one will provoke frequent forced pauses, during which you will have to thread a new thread into the needle. A thread that is too long will also be inconvenient, since it is difficult to control it, it will get confused, provoking the appearance of unnecessary knots and folds.

If the embroidery scheme is complex, it is necessary to mark the already embroidered sections on it with the help of a special text selector. Some experienced needlewomen make a photocopy of the diagram before starting work, so that later they can check the correctness of the work and correct the mistakes.

It will be easier to learn how to embroider beautifully and correctly if you use a hoop. However, it is important to remove the canvas from them as soon as work stops. Otherwise, excessive tension of the fabric deforms the individual crosses already embroidered on it.

The canvas should not be small, therefore, at the time of purchase, you need to carry out a calculation, order such a cut so that about 5 cm of free space is preserved on all sides of the drawing.

It is best to store the needle in a special needle bed after completion of work. It is not recommended to leave it in the canvas, since even a needle with a blunt end can provoke an increase in the holes, and this clearly impairs the aesthetics of the product.

Types of seams

Most beginners, who so far only have a great desire to learn how to cross stitch, will confidently declare that any cross is created on the basis of two diagonals. In reality, however, there are several types of stitches that allow you to create more realistic embroidered paintings, characterized by a high level of aesthetics.

All types of stitches are divided into main groups:

• counting (for execution, the threads of the canvas are counted);
• free (stitches are superimposed along the already outlined contour).

The most common types of stitches are counting stitches, including crosses, as well as partial stitches (incomplete, half-crosses, or ¼ crosses). Such stitches of this group as a goat, a painting, a Bulgarian cross and a counted surface look original on embroidery.

Tambour, buttonhole, stem stitches, backstitch and French knot are the second group of seams.

It is useful to watch the video several times step by step through each action, during which different types of stitches are performed. It is important to study the photo, pay attention to the direction of the stitches, the width of the indents, the thickness of the threads used.

Step by step lessons

Before starting to embroider, the thread must be securely fastened. This will prevent it from slipping, causing a significant deterioration in the overall embroidery experience. Open knots are prohibited, so there are several options to ensure a secure fixation of the working thread.

If the embroidery is done with two or more folds of thread, a special fastening technique is offered. To do this, one thread is initially threaded into the needle, after which the needle is inserted from the front and removed from the wrong side.

After performing such actions, both ends of the thread are found on the front side, which connect and thread them into the eye of the needle.

From the wrong side, it is now easy to find the loop and the working needle. You need to thread the needle through the loop and pull on the working thread.

The loop will tighten to secure the thread. You can also fix the end of the thread by hiding it under the stitches.

After that, you can continue the cross stitching.

The traditional "cross" is made with two diagonal stitches that do not go beyond one square of the canvas. If you need to create not one, but several consecutive crosses forming a horizontal row, the "Danish method" is used, which involves creating several half-crosses directed in one direction, and then creating the same number of half-crosses in the opposite direction.

With the help of half-crosses, it is possible to create the effect of the shadow of various objects. A smooth transition from one color to another is achieved by masters using fractional crosses.

In particular, the seam ¼ of the cross is made according to the usual pattern of creating a traditional cross, but its distinctive feature is its size. The stitch ¼ of the cross involves the creation of miniature crosses that take up a quarter of the space required for a traditional cross.

An incomplete cross looks original. To create it, first a diagonal stitch is sewn, and then a second diagonal stitch is also sewn in the opposite direction, but going from the middle of the existing stitch to the corner.

The elongated cross is easy to master, since the technique for its implementation is also based on the technique of creating a traditional cross. This type of cross is different in the size of the stitch. In particular, the stitch rises up diagonally, capturing not one, but three cells at once.

Examples of embroidery (photo)

Most needlewomen strive to decorate clothes, decorative pillows, tablecloths and other products with the help of flowers. Rose is a winning option, because the magnificence of such a gift from nature does not allow anyone to remain indifferent.

Before you start embroidering a rose, you need to determine in what color scheme this amazing flower will look best. Bright reds are best used when embroidering clothing. Blue and blue roses will also look original. White roses will be appropriate in a calm interior.

The quality of the finished embroidery depends not only on the level of skill of the needlewoman, but also on what threads are used during embroidery. Silk threads have an amazing shine, add extra charm to the embroidery.

Video

Want to learn cross stitching? We will help! Let's figure out where to start and what materials to choose, what methods and styles of embroidery exist and which ones are most suitable for you. So, in order not to turn this calming activity into sheer hardships with the wrong tools and the wrong technique, first let's get acquainted with the basics of this needlework.

1. Materials and tools for work

Before signing up to become an embroiderer, you will need to stock up on basic tools and materials. The minimum set of items that every craftswoman should have includes:

• needles;
• a needle bar or a needle pad;
• hoop or machine;
• threads;
• thimble;
• scissors (large, small and medium);
• ruler.

Why so much? Believe me, everything will come in handy! Now about each item in more detail.

Needles

A pin cushion is needed primarily in order not to lose one of the needles on a table, sofa or somewhere else. It is also very convenient. As for the needles themselves, there will already be much less lyrics. Picking up needles is a tricky business; Firstly, each type of fabric requires its own specific needle of the desired thickness and length. The thinner and more airy the fabric itself, on which you are going to work (cambric, marquise, canvas or linen), the thinner you need a needle. Accordingly, a thicker needle is suitable for a coarser type of material such as wool.

Dimensions of tapestry needles (in mm)

Best to use tapestry needles- the large eyelet will not fray the thread in the process, and the blunt end will not damage the base itself. A set of quality needles will serve you more than one embroidery.

In order for the fabric not to shrink under the pattern, the craftswomen have been using the hoop in the embroidery process from time immemorial. With this device, you can secure the fabric tightly. Skillful embroiderers choose wooden embroidery hoops, as they hold the fabric more reliably and do not spoil the material, unlike plastic counterparts. Another tip: choose a hoop with a smooth and even surface, because any roughness and unevenness can damage the fabric.

Threads

The choice of threads is a whole art, because the effect of the finished drawing depends on it. The most popular and widespread are the following types (we advise you to choose from them, since they are easier to buy and easier to work with):

Mouline- such threads are very easy to connect with each other to get the desired color. Each thread consists of 6 twisted fibers. This type of thread is the most popular in embroidery and is used in almost all ready-made sets. They do not get tangled or discolored over time.

- you can combine this interesting material with cotton floss or woolen threads for a shiny, sparkling effect.

- consists of very soft threads. An excellent choice for tapestry or satin stitch embroidery.

- such a thread can be used in combination with other materials, and separately. Such threads are indispensable in wool embroidery on fabric.

Thimble

The thimble not only protects your fingers from punctures, but also helps to push the needle better through thick and unruly fabric. Before you buy it, you first need to try on the product on your middle finger - it should sit like a glove and not cause any discomfort. Only in this case, you can be sure that he will become a faithful assistant in embroidery, and feel free to buy it.

Scissors

Buy several types of scissors at once, which will help you out in different situations. For example:

• Small scissors will help you to delicately cut a thin thread and remove unnecessary basting.
• Mediums will be comfortable during fabric processing.
• Large ones will be indispensable in the cutting process.

Optional accessories

For additional tools, we also recommend stocking up with a water-soluble pencil for marking the canvas, a magnifying glass and an organizer for threads. Markers or pencils are more convenient than traditional soap or chalk as they can be easily washed off by hand washing. In addition, they can be used on all types of fabrics and with their help you can draw more accurate and graceful sketches.

A magnifying glass is needed in order not to strain your eyes while embroidering the smallest curls, and a thread organizer will allow you to distribute colors according to a natural gradient, building a clear palette. This will make it as easy as possible to choose the right shade, and you can easily find out which color to use in your product.

Ready set for beginners

Of course, you can try to find all the “ingredients” for a beautiful and high-quality embroidery yourself. But nevertheless, this stage frightens off many, and they cease to be interested in this type of needlework. Therefore, we advise you to purchase ready-made embroidery kits. Firstly, it is very convenient, since any such set already contains everything you need in the right amount. Secondly, you do not have to select each material and tool for a long time, which will save you a lot of time. Dedicate it better to learning patterns or the embroidery process itself.

2. The choice of canvas

Canvas is our basis for embroidery. It is made from different materials - linen, cotton, hemp fabric, acrylic, wool and even plastic. We advise you to choose a canvas from a material that will ideally fit your idea.

• Hemp fabric most often chosen for its strength. You don't even have to use a hoop to embroider on it. Such fabric is very dense and retains its shape for a very long time.
• Plastic- this is a new hit among craftswomen. Such a canvas can turn your product into anything, as it easily changes shape. Just cut out the shape you want and the base is ready. Children especially like to embroider on plastic, it is so easy and fun.
• For those who want to add volume and texture to their embroidery, we recommend using woolen canvas... But no matter how beautiful the finished product looks on such a basis, it is still not very convenient to embroider on wool because of the numerous fluffy threads sticking out.
• Cotton is a true classic of the art of embroidery. And all because this material is very even and smooth. It is a pleasure to embroider with such material.
• Difficult to work with wool, but still want a little volume? Then choose acrylic... Despite its unnatural origin, it is much easier to embroider on it than on wool, moreover, it does not fluff so much.
• Linen also popular with craftswomen. But if you decide to ennoble any piece of clothing with a beautiful ornament, then it is better to check how such a fabric will behave after washing it.

For beginners, we recommend choosing a cotton canvas Aida... This brand is renowned for its versatility. Everyone can choose a material with the desired cell size. This canvas is used by both beginners and already skilled embroiderers.

The Aida canvas is divided into cells, which greatly simplifies the process of embroidering a cross.

Another equally popular canvas is produced by the brand Hardanger... Do you want to embroider using tapestry or satin stitch technique? This kind of material is the best base. But, unfortunately, it will not suit you as a beginner. If this is your first time picking up a needle and thread, it is best to start with canvas # 8. It is actively used for teaching embroidery.

3. Step by step training in cross stitch

First of all, you need to prepare your workplace. Make sure you are comfortable embroidering. The best place for handicraft is a soft, comfortable chair. Also, you should take care of the lighting, as your eyes can quickly get tired in low light. For such cases, use a desk lamp, which will be your magic wand in the evening, night and day, in poor natural light. Lay out all the materials and tools as it is convenient for you, and it is better to put the diagram in the most prominent and illuminated place.

Fabric sewing is the next step at the beginning of embroidery. Fear not, you only need four steps - and you can start your main work.

1. Measure and cut as much fabric as you need for embroidery, as they say, "with a margin." To do this, leave about 7 to 10 cm of allowance on each side to stretch the fabric over the hoop.
2. Then work over the edges so that they do not bump or bloom. You can use clear varnish or special glue.
3. Count the number of crosses on the diagram and on your canvas.
4. Time to mark out your warp before embroidering. Measure out 10x10mm squares (use crosses on the fabric as the unit of measure. 10 crosses on each side of the square is 10x10mm). We draw the markings with a washable marker or soap.

Video how to mark the canvas:

Then you should decide what method you will be embroidering with. Choose from the following:

• Traditional (cross stitching)- you embroider one cross after another separately. Make sure that the working length of the thread is 25-30 cm, maximum 50 if the pattern is rather large. Sew two stitches and the cross is ready. To do this, guide the needle from the upper right to the lower left corner of the cage. The second stitch goes from the top left to the bottom right.
• Danish way of embroidery- first you close the row with only the first stitches (top right and bottom left or vice versa), and then you come back, closing the remaining halves of the crosses.
• Skip stitch method- it is used when you need to skip several cells on the tissue. To do this, the thread is crossed along the seamy side of the fabric.
• Simple diagonal- sew diagonally. First you need to move from top to bottom, and then from bottom to top.

Video how to start embroidering:

Now let's deal with the circuit. It shows the required number of crosses and their location on the fabric markings. By the way, there are both color and black-and-white schemes. It is easier to work with colored ones, since you immediately see the desired color, but if the color scheme of the picture is diverse, then many cells will be highlighted with symbols or numbers corresponding to some color in the decoding.

Carefully familiarize yourself with the decryption key of your particular scheme and especially pay attention to the empty cells, which are most often not filled with anything. It is quite simple to work with the scheme, because all the necessary data is registered there.

Video how to work with the scheme:

4. Types of embroidery and techniques

There is a huge variety of embroidery techniques and styles. It remains to choose the one that suits you best:

• Counted cross- do you want to embroider the image on the diagram exactly? Then this type of embroidery will suit you. This method is used on fabrics with a regular weave and is distinguished by the counting of threads on the fabric.
• Another simple technique is uncountable cross... Embroider whatever is highlighted with flowers, clearly following the pattern.
• Printed cross performed on a canvas with crosses already applied.
• Tapestry technique very similar to a half-cross, but the wrong side should match the front side of the picture.
• Smooth. To decorate your piece with this technique, simply transfer the design onto the fabric and carefully fill in the entire space inside the design with straight stitches.

5. Advantages and features of ready-made sets

The main advantage of working with ready-made kits is that you do not need to spend a lot of time and effort searching for all the tools and materials. Just choose the set you like, and there will already be all the components (threads, needles, scheme).

The sets are different, and you can choose by the type of canvas and pattern. Most often, you can purchase the following options:

• The drawing is applied directly to the material and there is a diagram
• Drawing is not applied
• Canvas tinted and applied background
• Only the diagram is drawn
• There is a water-soluble pattern on the material.

Hard? Not if you follow our advice:

• To begin with, it is worth choosing drawings with a small number of colors, with predominant large details in the pattern. The more details, the more difficult it is to embroider, and a simple design will not take long.
• Choose kits with Aida canvas for large size embroidery; # 14 is perfect for any beginner.
• Don't throw away the leftovers! Some of the materials from the kit can be useful in other needlework.

Embroidery is not difficult and even interesting if you embroider what you like and what you love. It is easy to learn this craft, and there are many benefits from it too. So use our tips and you will soon be transitioning from beginner to embroidery master!

There are many types of embroidery. It is mainly divided into two types - satin stitch and cross stitch. Although there is still an example. A counted cross is one of the types of cross stitching.

Embroidery embroidery strife

The counted cross is the oldest of all types of embroidery, in which the main element is the crosshair of the threads. Today, needlewomen can still talk about printed cross-stitch or uncountable embroidery. This type of needlework was born as a result of a desire to help needlewomen - why bother with counting, if you can just work on a canvas with a pattern applied to it. Change the thread to a different shade in time - and you do not need to constantly recount the elements on the diagram, and then check them according to the work done. But a true counting cross is a real pride in the result. And it is expensive. Moreover, for those who are truly passionate about embroidery, it is the counted cross that is real creativity, but the embroidery on the printed pattern on the canvas is just self-indulgence.

Where to begin? From theory

Counted cross stitching is based on the absolute precision of the embroiderer: one wrongly stitched cross - and the work can go awry if the mistake is not found and corrected in time. This, of course, will cause great losses in time. Therefore, an important element of embroidery in the technique of counted cross is the scheme. The drawing that makes you want to work is transferred to the scheme - multi-colored cells indicating box crosses of a certain color. Such patterns are abundantly developed by embroiderers both independently and with the help of special computer programs.

Cross stitch technique

Counted cross stitching, the schemes of which can be the simplest, monochromatic, and can contain many shades of color, involves working with only one technical element - a cross. Most often, a simple cross is used, although there are several techniques for performing such an element. A simple cross is the most convenient to use with an account. It is done like this:

• base - square;
• the first stitch is sewn from one corner of the square to the diagonally opposite corner;
• the second stitch catches the next pair of diagonal corners, returning the needle to the start side.

In order for the result to be of high quality and look as neat as possible, all crosses must be performed in the same way. For example, first diagonals are sewn from the upper left corner to the lower right corner, and then the diagonals from the upper right corner to the lower left. Each embroiderer decides for herself how it is more convenient for her to work - from right to left and from top to bottom, or vice versa, it doesn't matter. It is important that all crosses look the same.

How to fill in the picture field?

Counted cross stitching allows you to fill the body of the picture with one color in the required areas without breaking the thread.

This is convenient for those who are very attentive to stitch counting and know how to navigate the color change on an empty pattern field. But it is much easier, according to many who have already mastered this type of needlework, to use the so-called in-line method. What is its essence? With a thread of the same color, crosses of the same row are completely stitched, that is, both in the forward and in the opposite direction, according to the count. The thread changes to the next color, and the same row is stitched with the required number of crosses of a different color. If the distance between two separate sections of a row of the same color is small, then the thread can not be cut off, but by counting the number of cells of a different color, continue to work with the color of the thread that started the row. So, sewing row by row, a counted cross is embroidered. The cross-stitching technique according to the in-line method is more convenient and simpler, it allows you to make fewer mistakes than if you first filled in areas of the same color throughout the entire field, then another, then a third, and so on.

To prevent the thread from slipping

Any work with threads requires their fastening so that the thread does not slip out during the work or operation of the product. For this, nodules are made. But in this kind of needlework, like embroidery, knots are not made. Well, how to embroider with a counted cross? The description of getting started for those who are just getting acquainted with this type of needlework will begin with the rules for attaching a working thread. There are two of them:

• no knots;
• no "tails".

These seem to be completely impossible requirements. But in reality, everything is very simple. The working thread is held precisely by its "tail", but it must be hidden. And you can hide the tail of the working thread either from the inside of the work, or from the front side. It is convenient to hide the end of the thread on the "face", when the sack for embroidery is thick enough, then the tail is brought out to the front side from the first stitch and during work is placed under several subsequent stitches until it completely disappears behind them. On the seamy side, it happens in the same way, but the tail of the thread is hidden under the transition stitches. The wrong side as a place for attaching the working thread is most suitable when the frame is not too thick in relation to the size of the canvas cell, on the front side it will be visible through the stitches. But even a thick sack will give excessive volume to the stitches, therefore, the seamy side for attaching the thread in this way is still more preferable than the front one. Some embroiderers fasten the end of the thread by tightening the eyelet on the canvas thread. What method is more convenient and practical to fasten the working "tail" - the embroiderer decides.

Working material

Any work, including creative, requires material. In embroidery, a counted cross is:

• Canvas... It can serve as the basis of the work, its canvas. Such a canvas has a dense texture, the weave is elastic, rather rigid, the threads do not diverge among themselves, but keep the shape of the cells. But there is another canvas - as a help. Such a canvas is applied to the base fabric for the uniformity of the crosses, and at the end of the embroidery it is pulled out of the pattern.
• Cross stitch threads. They use different threads - silk, floss, polyester. The most important thing is that they do not fade, be slippery, but do not curl into knots during work. Usually, embroiderers give preference to floss, since it is this thread that meets all the requirements of this type of needlework, since it is created for it.
• Needles... Yes, there can be several identical needles in the work so as not to pull out the thread every time there is a transition to a different color. The needles should be of high quality - strong and straight, not too long, with a good, but not wide eye.
• Embroidery hoop- special hoops, between which the fabric is pulled (wrapped). Depending on the size of the embroidery, the hoop is selected with a suitable diameter. After work, the base is processed and used for its intended purpose. Although there is a hoop that is suitable as a frame for an embroidered picture. They are textured, with a special patina lock - antique. In them, medium-sized works look very impressive.
• Scissors- some with thin blades for thread, others ordinary tailors - for working with canvas.

The foundation of the basics

As an artist uses a canvas or a sheet of paper, so an embroiderer uses fabric. And to make it convenient to work on it, it is hooped into a hoop. How can this be done so that the counted cross stitch is organized correctly? The principle of cross stitching is the uniformity of all elements, which is achieved with the help of canvas. Therefore, the base must be stretched evenly:

• the smaller hoop ring should be placed on a flat surface;
• unfold the fabric on top of the rings, straighten;
• cover with a second ring and fasten the clamp so that the rings are held tightly enough, but the fabric can be pulled through;
• pulling up the ends of the fabric, align its weave in such a way that it has the correct geometric shape, and all the cells are square;
• clamp the rings to the end so that the fabric does not bend and slip.

You can embroider.

Finishing touches

A counted cross involves working with only one basic element - a cross. But other elements also help to make the work more graceful. So, in simple pictures, you can use embroidery with which the contours of the depicted objects and their parts pass. Small details that you want to highlight, for example, leaf buds or flower buds, raisins on a cupcake are embroidered using knots, giving the work some volume. Cross-stitching is not very democratic, it rarely allows you to supplement the work with other techniques, so that the result is amazing. Most often, contour additions are used to give more definition.

How beautiful!

Anyone who evaluates the work done sees only the result. And it will consist not only of the plot, but also of painstaking accuracy. If the work is done carelessly, then no matter how beautiful the scheme is, no one will praise it. Therefore, accuracy in the cross-stitching technique is the basis of a high-quality result. And in order for the work to bring satisfaction, you need to know how to embroider with a counted cross according to the scheme, observing several rules:

• Choose quality materials. If the threads in the process of work will be shaggy, cling to knots, and then also shed, then all the work will go to waste. The needles should also be good - straight so that it is convenient to work with them, with a narrow eye so as not to disturb the structure of the tissue.
• The fabric should be hooped evenly into the hoop, avoiding distortions.
• No knots are made in the embroidery! The tail of the thread is neatly hidden during work.
• The most important thing is to accurately calculate the number of crosses in one area of ​​the same color, the drawing depends on this.
• Absolutely all crosses should "look" in one direction. This is due not only to the rules of the counting cross, but also to the play of light on the finished work.
• The finished embroidery needs to be moistened and allowed to dry. Steam the embroidery from the seamy side with steam without pressing the iron.

Counted cross stitching allows you to make small pictures, single objects or simple patterns, but it can also become the basis for a large-scale canvas - a whole plot picture. The schemes for such works, of course, are very different. If a ready-made scheme is used, then you should select the threads in accordance with the specified ruler. If it is developed independently, then the colors are taken at will, a sense of harmony. For greater realism of the plot picture, one should not forget about the semitones, because it is the shades that give liveliness and naturalness to the finished work.

Counted cross stitching is a fascinating creativity available to people of all ages. It develops and maintains attentiveness, the ability to see the perspective of one's work, fine motor skills of the hands, which is also beneficial for brain activity. Well, there is no need to talk about the result of labor - high-quality embroidery will be a source of pride. Good luck!