10 Supplies To Help You Get Started Cross Stitching

It's time to gather the necessary supplies to cross stitch a spectacular design. It may be a simple or harder intricate pattern. Which ever it is you'll need to get all the supplies in order before starting your project. First and foremost it is a great idea to be organized before you start.

Here's a list of 10 supplies you'll need to get started with:

• Patterns
• Aida Cloth
• Cross Stitch Floss
• Hoops or Scrolls
• Tapestry Needles
• Scissors
• Magnetic Board with rulers
• Pencil or Pen
• Craft Lamp
• Glasses (as needed)

I can't stress being organized enough. It makes your stitching time go so much more smoother. So lets get started in learning about each of these supplies I listed.

Materials:

• Aida Cloth
• Cross Stitch Floss
• Patterns to choose from
• Chart of pattern

Tools:

• Hoops or Scrolls
• Tapestry Needles
• Craft Lamp
• Magnetic Board
• Ruler Magnetic Plain or Magnified Ruler
• Eye Glasses (If needed)

1. Having an array of patterns is must. You'll want to choose a design you are interested in. Maybe your making one for a friend or to hang in your home. I have a whole shelf and then some of patterns. I'm always collecting more and more to do.

Read about a Guardian Angel Cross pattern review here.

2. Once you got your pattern chosen then you need to choose your cloth to stitch on. I have various colors of Aida cloth on hand to choose from. Aida cloth comes in different sizes. Your pattern will give a suggested size. General sizes are 11, 14, and 18.

3. Now it's time to get your floss colors together and organized. I like to have a little box to keep them in all numbered and in order for easy finding access. I don't like to have hunt for my colors. Even with kits that you get and the floss that comes with, it's a good idea to organize them before starting your project.

Read about a Cross Stitch Floss Organizer Storage Box review here.

4. Depending on the size of your design, there are different sizes of hoops to choose from when working on your pattern. They even come in fun colors or timeless wooden ones. I also like to use a scroll for larger projects as it is easier to just scroll the cloth up or down.

5. It's a good idea to have a few tapestry needles handy. If you lose one, you'll have another one to use. Hopefully you don't have butterfingers like me but if you do more than one is a great idea!

6. You'll need a pair of scissors for snipping ends of the floss off. I like to have a small one that I can keep with my project at all times. Mine is a fold up one which I just love. I've seen some a bit more fancier handled that don't fold up.

7. A magnetic board is really nice to put your pattern on. I like to use a magnetic ruler to keep my place where I am at on the pattern. I even have one that is magnified which is handy since some patterns have such small symbols on them. Plus is helps with not straining your eyes so hard.

8. Another thing that is handy is having a pen or pencil to use to mark where you are at on your pattern. It helps to not lose your place so you don't make a mistake and try to restitch that stitch again. Along with the idea of marking your pattern, you'll want to make a copy of the original one. That way you can save the original for another time when you might want to make it again.

9. Important lighting is essential while working on your pattern. I recently invested in a craft lamp. The bulb is a more white natural light then the normal yellowish lights that are in homes. The craft lamp is nice because it has an adjustable goose neck so you can set it for your comfort height. Mine has a magnifier arm on it which has been a life saver for not straining my eyes. Works great for darker Aida cloth colors. They do come with out the magnifier's on them as well.

Read about a Ottlite Craft Lamp review here.

10. Last but not least. If you wear glasses, always keep them in reach when stitching. I could never see to stitch or read anything without them. Over time my eyes have gotten worse so it's very important to have the right prescription for seeing properly; even reading glasses help immensely!

Do you like to be organized when starting and working on a project? I know I do! I'd love to hear how you get organized.