Crass Cross Stitching for Beginners
There is something to be said about being able to stab something 4,000 times and not go to jail, it is soothing as hell. I sublimate my rage through crafts and it is the best. Taking a hobby that you usually associate with sweet little old ladies and sprinkling swear words onto is the kind of thing I live for. The contradiction! The aesthetic! THE FILTH.
Let's have some fun with it!
![13062178_10207627423697047_1172098889801783820_n.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmc2a2qegPnH2FrvMfC9WBTbM1zjPzWsfia7fppAetKngn/13062178_10207627423697047_1172098889801783820_n.jpg)
The first thing you need to know about cross stitch is do NOT get intimidated by looking at the fabric. Just like all fabric, it has a weft and a weave. On Aida fabric is just much easier to see. Most people turn their nose up at it because it looks overwhelming at first, but once you know what you are looking for, it is...
![](https://steemitimages.com/0x0/http://gif-finder.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Jeffrey-Dean-Morgan-Easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy.gif)
So, let's get started! Assemble your supplies.
![stitch3.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmatkgLb2vYSo2CDsDknkDVrJBUmq29LdkcyZ4SuyGXSeV/stitch3.jpg)
![stitch1.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://steemitimages.com/DQmdDo291VA2eArFGCJhqau59fAvc2mQKwWy3R2zkMUtt1b/stitch1.jpg)
For this demonstration I am using an old, beat-up piece of 14 count aida fabric. They come in a variety of sizes and colors! For a beginner, always start on a low count fabric of WHITE. Trust me, the colored fabric is gorgeous but can be HELL to work with. Wait on the pretties. The lower the count, the larger the squares are. This means it is easier to see. I recommend going with a 14 or 11 count for your first stitching. Makes poppin' that cherry a little less painful.
Now, what you're going to want to do is examine the fabric.
![stitch2.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmR3uockC4GqiTqPtxQsNMvmTbEa6vd44xr8jH5L5xuJnN/stitch2.jpg)
![stitch4.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://steemitimages.com/DQmXtgi75tL9i7y2MRNBbYCNni6DpzXLSBsUfiQKXCqpgrM/stitch4.jpg)
The reason you're going to go with a round tip (giggity) is that you want to stretch the hole (giggitygiggity) and not tear it (giggitygiggitygiggity).
![](https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://i.makeagif.com/media/1-22-2015/aw4cJt.gif)
ARE YOU GETTING EXCITED?!
Yeah, I know. This is a bit boring. Just hang in there. You'll be making pixelated atrocities in no time.
Okay, next step, take some of your floss and cut a nice length. I am going to teach you loop start, so take the amount of thread you want and double it, we are going to be folding it in half. For this, I am going to do four strands so it is easier to see. Loop start is great for anything that calls for even numbers of threads.
![stitch6.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmUJ1AGX39XBFmXLx2pjKGyemfuUFM9iogYVZSJ9fkRTDe/stitch6.jpg)
Split off two strands from the six that make up the floss. You're going to now double them and thread your needle.
![stitch8.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://steemitimages.com/DQmV4MLz6jkqmrXsNfw5BTPZ6Hptjx7AyTUH5nV5pb1M3Vw/stitch8.jpg)
Hot damn, look at that. We are getting somewhere!
Now select your starting point and press your needle through the back of the fabric to the front. Make sure not to pull to hard, you need the tail back there to secure!
![stitch9.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmdExnQdQNuDQ7aFmbBX2kWYoq7YNdVmkgpFNcBkvBhwS8/stitch9.jpg)
Go to the to the opposite corner, and press your needle through the back. Flip it over.
![stitch10.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://steemitimages.com/DQmcmdrM9V491K1Tjk6rZQ9AoA8s5MhDVxG6jK2JLa9GKhf/stitch10.jpg)
Pull tight, and you've got yourself the loop start! You work is now secure as hell!
Flip it back over!
Go to the bottom of your square and this is where you'll begin your next stitch. You're going to lay down a couple stitches. One thing I didn't learn until recently, you should always do half stitches in one direction first and then fill. It makes them more uniform.
Goddamn gorgeous.
Start filling in! Corner to corner, no big deal!
BLAM
Congratulations! You just made your first cross stitches! Don't you feel foolish for never trying before?
In closing, feel free to ask me questions! I even made a little sampler to show you the difference between four strands and two, also stitches that swap directions. Can you spot them?
I just gave a fuck! Use it wisely!
![HTML tutorial](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/http://i.imgur.com/yily7W8.png
)
Freaking awesome. I've cross stitched before. But it's been a while. Upvoted and resteemed
Dust 'em off, Chelsea! Stitch again!
Maybe I should.
You definitely should!
I'm really into cross stitch. I took a course on it in art school and it really taught me some good stuff, even a little bit of history about it. Your post is creative, cool, and also has a bit of humor in it. Upvoted and follwoing!!
That's awesome! I bet a class on it would be super cool! Did you ever get into it?
I am so glad that you enjoyed my post! I try to keep stuff relatively light and fun around here, even if it is tedious.
I'll have to follow you back, you seem really cool!
No WAY Dudette! Huge congrats on this posts value :-D Super happy for you ♥
Your post has got me thinking of letting my girls give it a bash again.
I can still remember how many hours I spent in my Grans sewing room while she sat sewing and me fiddling with a cross stitch pattern she had drawn out for me to stitch over.
Lots of love to you girl ♥
Thank you, Mystic! I was really, really floored that this post went ballistic. Artsygoddess brought it to my attention last night in chat when she was telling me she gave me a stitching channel over on her Steem-art discord. I literally fell out of bed from everything hitting me all at once.
You should definitely set the wee ones up with it again, it is really great for honing focus, attention to detail, and a sense of accomplishment! I wish I had these hobbies when I was in school, I think I would have done a lot better.
And how sweet you have that memory to cherish! My other grandma just began passing her cross stitch down to me and helping me improve my crochet! These are things you carry with you every day!
Love you, darling! <3 Thank you so much for stopping in and leaving an awesome comment!
(Also, if you need help getting some fun, free small patterns for the kiddos, let me know!)
I love it!
And the Unicorn vomiting a rainbow is just the icing on this glorious cake.
Yay! I am pumped you loved it!
Man, I love that minder. I actually have a second one of a unicorn pooping a rainbow on a cloud. He even has a little roll of TP with him. It is just... so good. So pure.
You make me laugh all the time I love it!
You should make a post about that little unicorn pooping rainbows!
So pure lol
It really makes me feel awesome to hear that! I love to make people laugh! <3
And I really should... give him a back story...
You do it well my friend <3
You start off with talk'n about a stab-a-thon. Kinda get's all techy and you almost lost me till ya brought up cherry pop'n. Then it all went giggity from there and I really didn't know what the hell to think. Now I totally get your name!
You got a humorously filthy mind...only reason I can justify reading a post about...whatever-ya-call that. I always donated to my gal Sal all that sewing and yarny gear I got in my hauling jobs. I never knew they could be something so lewd 'n crude. }:-)>
I'll be thinking of you next time I get a box full...hahaha...still laughing here...have yerself a good poke'n time! ✌️
logyx
It is hard to make something so boring somewhat entertaining and I tried! Some of the projects I have lined up right now tickle the absolute hell out me. I've got a commission for a "fuck the police" with pretty flowers. I will be giggling my whole way through that one!
I am so glad you like my filthy hilarious brain! It gets me in trouble from time to time but thankfully I've got this outlet now that seems to be a great use for it!
Definitely think of me! I would gladly take all weird old lady stuff off your hands! How long have you been hauling?
Hahaha...I'm sure you tried rally hard giggity. Fucking the po-po with a fist fulla flowers...what fun! giggity giggity
Filth...Fun 'n Trouble are my three most favorite pastimes. I have an outlet...*giggity...and I'm pretty sure you got the inlet. giggity giggity Let's compare giggity brains shall we? giggity g'g'giggity giggity!
Seriously though, since the '90s. I'd be happy to bring you all the old weird ladies I can get my hands on but they're getting rare as hen's boobies around these parts. }:-)>
logyx
Mmmm, reading this post was like when you put your bare feet on a nice, thick carpet and make fists with your toes.
Satisfying!
Amazing post:D
Thank you, thank you!
Wow ,,, you have that skill. I really like art. Thank you for sharing, and I think this is an interesting post, , I ask your help to vote my post, are you willing. Thankyou.
Thanks for stopping in! I am glad you enjoyed it! I'll pop over to yours! :)
wow .. you have nice skills
Thank you so much!
Heck off....I'm giggling so much! And that unicorn, I want one!!!
Hehe! I am glad my smol snek amuses you!
The unicorn you can get from Needle Attractions on Facebook! She's amazing!