by Linda Shrigley

Created on: July 17, 2008

How to use cross stitch patterns

When working with cross stitch patterns, be prepared to keep a close eye on you're counting of each hole in the blank material. To cut out the patterns, you will need to count each row of the outside of the pattern, and cut that number of holes that are in the pattern you are about to put on the material. The count in your total amount of stitches will make the difference if whether your pattern on the material looks proper.

Some people call cross stitching as using plastic canvas, as well as squares of material that others will create their patterns on. In plastic canvas the count of each square must be precise for your patterns to look proper. If you have a certain number of holes, they must add up to the same number of holes the pattern will show, that will form the pattern you are working on. If you have too many holes, the completed piece you are working on will contain areas where the form you are working on, will be blank.

Let's say that you want to put a picture of a house onto a piece of canvas. The house you want to center on your piece of canvas is going to need, say, 30 holes across, and 30 holes down in some places, and 20 holes down in others. Your piece of canvas should be 30 X 30 remember that only some areas will need the 30 holes, but you can not cut your canvas in a 30 hole across, and 20 holes down. If you do that, when you come to the areas where you need the 30 holes, you will find yourself 10 holes short. The areas that only need the 20 holes will be covered with a background color, different than the color used on the house.

Most, or at least the majority of canvas pieces usually have indented corners, which makes them look nicer than just a plain square. To do this, you cut into your corners, sort of layering them into stair step like indication. This makes your finished piece look much better than a simply square.

To make your pattern on the piece of canvas, or material, you will have to count each hole shown on your pattern so you use the proper color for each square so it will form the details of the picture you are putting on it. Once the picture is finished, use a different color of yarn, or cotton thread, whichever you are using, and fill in all the blank holes. Once this is done, go around the outside of the whole piece you are working in, doing a simple in one hole, out the other method, and cover all the showing plastic. In my opinion there is nothing worse that having the plastic showing around your picture that is on the canvas.

One more thing I would like to point out is, if you are using two pieces of canvas, then joining them at the outside edges, with the picture showing only on one side, cover the back piece of canvas with the background color. There is nothing tackier than seeing a beautiful picture, then turning it over and seeing just a plain piece of canvas, with the plastic holes showing. I would never leave my backing undone.

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