Everything you need to know to cross-stitch

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CROSS-STITCH

NOTES:

When stitching, don’t pull the thread too tight, as this can make the work uneven.

• You may want to enlarge graphs for easier viewing.

• Read through instructions before you begin.

Here’s how

STEP 1 Start by finding the centre of the fabric, fold into quarters to make a crease – this will show you the middle. You will start stitching from the centre of the design. To mark the centre point, make a small dot with water soluble pen. STEP 2 To begin stitching, thread the required colour onto the needle and bring the needle from back of work through to front leaving a 3cm tail at the back. Hold this tail, so your first few stitches are worked over it. This will secure your thread evenly. Never tie a knot in your thread. STEP 3 The cross-stitch is worked in horizontal rows from left to right. Stitch cross-stitch with 2 strands of cotton over 2 fabric threads. Start with diagonal stitches from bottom left to top right, work the line in that thread colour. Complete the row. STEP 4 The return row is stitched right to left, make crosses by bringing the needle up at bottom right corner and down at top left corner. Complete the return row and repeat the stitching sequence until the area is stitched as charted.to end off your thread, take your needle through to the back of your work and run it under a few stitches then trim cleanly.

STEP 5 Once you have completed all the stitching, if your work is wrinkled, iron it flat with an iron on warm, using a cloth to protect your stitching.

TO MAKE TASSEL

STEP 1 Cut a piece of cardboard to 4cm (diagram below).

STEP 2 Cut a 20-25cm piece of DMC stranded cotton 799 (blue) and place it along top edge of cardboard. This thread will be used to tie a knot later.

STEP 3 Wrap leftovers of cotton in shades 799, 825, 32 and 3840 around cardboard 35-40 times. Use cotton piece from under the wraps to tie doubleknot at top of tassel. Pull threads together very tight. Cut ends of cotton and remove from cardboard.

STEP 4 Thread needle with 30cm of light blue cotton. Tie the knot and stitch through the head of the tassel to start.

STEP 5 Wrap around neck of tassel 6-8 times. Stitch a couple of times through the neck of the tassel to secure the thread and tack ends into the neck of the tassel. Trim tassel ends evenly.

TO MAKE POMPOM

STEP 1 Cut 2 pompom discs out of cardboard (scale diagram below) and put both together.

STEP 2 Wind leftovers of green cotton in shades 907 and 702 around the discs, starting from the centre. Keep going backward and forward, till you cover cardboard completely.

STEP 3 Cut threads between cardboard discs, working from outer edge. Only snip a bit at a time, holding discs together with your other hand, until you have cut all the way around.

STEP 4 Slide a 40-50cm length of yarn between 2 cardboard discs. Tie pompom tightly. Give it a few knots to make sure it’s secure. Slide 2 cardboard discs off pompom.

STEP 5 Fluff up pompom so it’s nice and round. Trim neatly. Don’t cut knotting threads, use them to attach pompom.