Every crafter needs a stash, and it's just as easy to build up your supply of cross stitch materials as it is for a knitter, crocheter or bead fanatic to build up her supplies. Stock up on these items so you'll always be ready to stitch up a new design.
Basic Cross Stitch Supplies
For most projects, keep the following supplies on hand:
Cross stitch fabric
Thread
Patterns
Scissors
Hoop
Needle
Cross Stitch Fabric
Cross stitch fabric, which is the fabric you stitch your design onto, comes in a rainbow of colors to compliment any design. It is widely available in one of two fabric choices, Aida or linen.
Aida Cloth
Cross stitch Aida cloth
Most beginners to cross stitching start with Aida, a 100 percent cotton fabric. It's known as interlocking fabric because each thread you can see is made up of several smaller threads. This makes the squares easy to see and it is simple for beginners to understand where the stitches go.
It's also a fabric that is easy to find everywhere, comes in a multitude of colors and counts. The spaces between the holes is expressed in the count number, so bigger numbers mean more holes, smaller squares, and smaller stitches. Aida 14 is the standard for many patterns, and that is the count that will give you the most variety of color.
Places to buy Aida include:
123 Stitch: Shop for Aida by color, size of cloth, or thread count. They have a wide variety of different colors to choose from, as well as several different count numbers to vary your stitches.
CreateForLess: If you're really planning on stocking up, shop for your Aida at CreateForLess. They offer a variety of colors and thread counts, and they also offer discounts if you purchase in bulk.
Linen
More advanced stitchers will want to stock up on linen fabric, which is woven with a sort of basket weave pattern. Threads are distinct and commonly worked over two squares at a time. It's easy to make quarter stitches on linen, so this is the right choice for a very detailed pattern. Linen comes in counts, but because of the way the material is made you need to purchase 28 count to work a 14 count pattern. It is also available in a wide range of colors. You can find 100 percent linen cloth as well as linen blends. Places to buy include:
Salt & Pepper: Salt & Pepper has a nice selection of different linens, including several counts and multiple colors and sizes of fabric to choose from. They list DMC colors so you can match your thread to the fabric if desired.
Yarn Tree: Yarn Tree sells a wide range of Cashel 28-count linen by the yard. The linen comes in 24 different colors, all with DMC color coordination.
Cross Stitch Thread
There are more cross stitch thread colors and types out there than you could possibly ever work with. Cotton thread is the most common and also the easiest to work with, but you can also purchase specialty thread in different materials and finishes. There are two companies that most stitchers turn to for reliability in color and quality:
DMC is probably the most well-known brand of cross stitch thread (also known as floss). The company offers a staggering 454 colors of cotton floss, 11 colors of metallic floss, 292 colors of pearlized cotton, 100 colors of rayon, wool in 180 colors and linen in 24 colors.
J & P Coats brand embroidery and cross stitch thread is another option. They offer pearl cotton in many different sizes and hundreds of colors, as well as 90 colors of rayon thread, metallics and multicolored variegated floss.
Patterns for Cross Stitching
Once you become comfortable with your craft, you'll probably want to try your hand at making your own patterns. Before you do, however, you'll find a wealth of different patterns to choose from, both free and for purchase.
A selection of free patterns include:
Celtic designs that include the Celtic letters LOVE, a shamrock and a Celtic cross.
Clown patterns that feature both a happy face and a sad face clown to make.
An eagle pattern that depicts the head of a bald eagle.
Christmas patterns that include a tree, reindeer, snowman and candy cane.
You can also purchase books of patterns from retailers such as:
Amazon offers a variety of cross stitch pattern books including ones with holiday patterns and decorative motifs.
Everything Cross Stitch sells patterns by category, with categories like home and garden, fantasy, and people.
Fabric and Thread Scissors
You'll actually need two pairs of scissors if you plan on doing a lot of stitching: one pair is to cut the fabric, the other is to cut the floss. A single pair of scissors can work double duty if you only stitch on occasion, however.
Fabric Scissors
Havel's Sewing Serrated Fabric Scissors
Fabric scissors should ideally be 7- to 8-inches in length and sharp enough to cut through two layers of fabric at one time. You'll need them to stay very clean so they don't mark your fabric, so be sure to label them "fabric" and keep them separate from other crafting supplies. Good sources for fabric scissors include:
Joann: Joann Fabric has a wide range of different fabric scissors in varying lengths. Look for a pair you can resharpen if necessary to keep your fabric edges neat.
Walmart: Walmart carries several different scissors specific to fabric as well. Choose from scissors with serrated and non-serrated edges, as well as scissors for cutting smaller pieces of fabric.
Thread Scissors
To cut your thread, you need a pair of embroidery scissors. These are smaller scissors that have a very pointed tip that curves up. This allows you to cut very close to your fabric when you are done with a stitch without accidentally piercing it. Shop for embroidery scissors at:
Nancy's Notions: Nancy's has a pair of double curved embroidery scissors that point up away from your fabric so you will get precision cuts each time.
Amazon: This retailer carries several different kinds of embroidery scissors, including those with larger handles for a more comfortable grip.
Embroidery Hoops
Doodler Stitching Frame at abcstitch.com
Cross stitching requires that the fabric be pulled very, very taut so you can make precise stitches. This is usually done on an embroidery hoop, which is a wood or plastic circle that pulls and holds the fabric taut. You may also choose to use a frame if you're working a larger piece of fabric, or you have trouble holding a hoop while working. Purchase hoops and frames from:
ABC Stitch Therapy: Here you'll find a wide selection of different hoops and frames, including large frames and small, lightweight plastic hoops.
The Stitchery: This shop carries a nice variety of hoops and frames, as well as stands that will hold your hoop for you while you work.
Cross Stitch Needles
Cross stitching requires the use of a blunt tapestry needle that is sized to the fabric you are working on. The larger the size number, the smaller the needle will be. Choose the right needle for your fabric by consulting this list:
John James Curved Assorted Needles 3 Pack
Fabric size 8- and 11-count Aida uses a needle size 22
Fabric size 14-count Aida uses a needle size 24
Fabric size 16- and 18-count Aida uses a needle size 28
Linen fabrics generally require smaller needles. For fine linen choose a size 28 needle, but for coarser weaves you can use a size 24 needle.
You can purchase tapestry needles for cross stitching from:
John James: Needles by John James features not only basic needles, but easy threading, curved, and specialty needles as well.
Everything Cross Stitch: This retailer carries several different sizes of needles, as well as needle cases, threaders, and other accessories.
Storing Your Cross Stitch Supplies
Cross stitch fabrics should be stored in a cool dry place, such as a closet. Fabric shouldn't be folded because permanent creases can result, so save up the cardboard rolls from wrapping paper and paper towels to roll your stash on. You can even write on the rolls what kind of fabric is wrapped on it.
Cross stitch thread can be stored in boxes or plastic bags. Like colors should be kept together so you know what you have available. Keep these out of heat and direct sunlight. If you have a huge collection of floss, consider labeling each bag with the color numbers that are inside, so you will know at a glance if you have the colors you need.
Your scissors, needles, and hoops can be stored wherever you have space. Keep them dry and dust-free for best results.
Start Stitching
Once you have a well-stocked supply cabinet at your disposal, they'll be nothing stopping you from stitching up anything you can think of. Pick up some supplies today and start stitching.
