How to Use a Cross Stitch Kit for Beginners
By Brass Monkey Goods | Vintage Inspired Smartassery | Online | Published: 2026-10-24
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to start your first cross stitch kit with confidence. This guide walks you through setup, stitching, and finishing for a fun project.
Quick answer
To use a cross stitch kit as a beginner, start by separating your floss, threading your needle, and securing your fabric in the hoop before making your first cross stitch.
Why a kit makes starting easier
A cross stitch kit gives you everything you need in one package: fabric, floss, needle, and hoop. That means no guesswork about supplies or colors. Kits also include a pattern printed on the fabric or on a separate chart, so you can focus on learning the stitch itself.
The Brass Monkey 'I Knew It Wasn't Butter' Cross Stitch Kit, for example, includes a 6" bamboo hoop, Aida cloth, needle, and all the floss you need. That way you can jump straight into stitching without hunting for materials.
Step-by-step beginner guide
- 1. Set up your hoop and fabric: Loosen the hoop's screw and separate the inner and outer rings. Place your Aida cloth over the inner ring, then press the outer ring over it. Pull the fabric taut and tighten the screw. The fabric should feel like a drumhead—smooth and tight, not saggy. Common mistake: leaving the fabric too loose will cause uneven stitches. Tighten the screw until the fabric doesn't shift when you touch it.
- 2. Separate and thread your floss: Cut a length of floss about 18 inches (45 cm). Most cross stitch floss has 6 strands. For a standard cross stitch on 14-count Aida cloth, separate 2 strands and thread them through the needle. Pull the strands even and knot the end. Using more than 2 strands on standard Aida can make stitches look bulky. Stick with 2 strands for a clean finish.
- 3. Find the center and make your first stitch: Fold your fabric in half both ways to find the center. Match it to the center of your pattern. Push the needle up from the back at the starting point, leaving a small tail on the back. Make a diagonal stitch from bottom-left to top-right, then cross back from bottom-right to top-left to form an X. Keep all your top stitches slanting the same direction (e.g., all / then \) for a neat, professional look.
- 4. Finish your thread and start a new one: When you have about 4 inches of floss left, weave the needle under a few completed stitches on the back of the fabric. Snip the excess close to the fabric. To start a new thread, simply bring the needle up from the back and continue stitching. Never tie knots on the back—they create bumps that show on the front. Weaving under stitches keeps the back flat.
- 5. Remove the hoop and display your work: Once all stitches are complete, unscrew the hoop and remove the fabric. Gently hand-wash in cool water with mild soap if needed, then lay flat to dry. Iron on the back with a pressing cloth. You can frame the finished piece or reuse the hoop as a display frame. Don't machine wash or dry—it can shrink the fabric and distort your stitches.
What's in a typical kit
- I Knew It Wasn't Butter Cross Stitch Kit: Includes a 6" bamboo embroidery hoop, Aida cloth, needle, and all the floss (thread) you need. Having the right size hoop and pre-measured floss means you can start stitching immediately without extra shopping or guesswork.
I Knew It Wasn't Butter Cross Stitch Kit
