The Thread

For most projects you will use 100%Cotton DMC Embroidery Floss. DMC Embroidery Floss is the best quality and most widely used Floss in the world. Each length of Floss is madeup of six individual strands. Some other projects will recommendspecialty fibers, like DMC Linen Floss, Light Effects or Rayon Floss. These threads will give you beautiful results, but they require some additional skill to work with.

The Key in your Design Chart will tell you the thread type, colors and number of strands you will need to work with for your project. You willgenerally use two strands to create a cross stitch.

DMC Cotton Embroidery Floss, Linen Floss, Light Effects Floss, and Rayon Floss are purchased by color number and displayed in trays or racks in numerical order in the needlework section of the store.

The Fabric

100% cotton Aida Cloth is ideal for cross stitch. Its precise, square-patterned weave with visible stitching holes makes this fabric easy to use. Aida is available in many counts, with the squares being larger or smaller. Beginner projects will usually recommend 11-count or 14-count Aida cloth. Other Fabric counts include 18-count, Evenweave and Linen. The count of the fabric refers to the number of holes per inch. So, for example, 11-count Aida will have 11 holes per inch, and 28-count linen will have 28 holes per inch.

The Needle

The needle you will be stitching with is a size 24 Tapestry Needle, which is generally recommended for cross stitch projects. It has an elongated eye for easy threading, and the blunt point glides smoothly through the holes in the Aida Cloth .

The Scissors

You can use all-purpose shears for cutting fabric and for cutting thread and trimming ends off the back of your project. You may want to invest in a small pair of embroidery scissors, which are often available in decorative shapes, like storks.

The Design Chart

Your Design Chart contains all the information you will need to stitch a design including a Floss color key with corresponding symbols.

Cross Stitch design charts are plentiful, varied, and easy to find. A good place to start is this website at DMC Free Cross Stitch Designs, where you can find different projects categorized by theme and skill level.

You can also check your local DMC needlework or craft store, which will have leaflets, books, and stitchery and craft magazines, which offer different types of projects.