Bring the needle up at point 1 which is the lower left hole of one square of the fabric.

Now take the needle down at point 2, which is the upper right hole of the square you are working.

Bring your needle back up at point 3 which is the bottom right hole.

Now take the needle down at point 4 which is the top left hole of the square, this completes one cross stitch.

To work a row of stitches of the same colour:

1. Bring the needle up at point 1 which is the lower left hole of one square of the fabric.
2. Now take the needle down at point 2, which is the upper right hole of the square you are working.
3. Bring your needle back up at point 3 which is the bottom right hole.
4. Now take the needle down at point 4.
5. Bring the needle up at 5 and down at 6 and then up at 7 and down at 8.

The return row is stitched right to left to make the crosses, bring up the needle at 9 and down at 6, up at 7 and down at 4, and finally up at 3 and down at 0.

When following a cross stitch chart work the stitches in this way for the number of squares with the same symbol/colour that are shown on the chart.

TIPS:

• It is important for the final finish of your project that you make sure all your stitches are crossed in the same direction.
• Keep your tension on the stitches even while you are stitching the design so that the final piece is flat.
• Work the design area first and any plain background last.
• Work any dark colours first, and the lighter ones last.
• When you are stitching make sure that your thread and therefore your stitches are lying flat. If you find your thread becomes twisted then drop the needle and allow the needle to hang freely which will allow the thread to untwist by itself.
• Only carry thread across the back of your work to another area if the jump is short and the thread is a light colour otherwise the thread will be seen through the front of the design.