Cross stitch is one of the oldest forms of hand embroidery, popular all over the world, and it is little wonder that it remains so. Not only is it easy to learn – cross stitch is usually
the first embroidery stitch taught to children – but it’s quickly arranged into patterns, pictures and letters by following grid charts where each square represents a single stitch. The
pleasure in achievement can become quite addictive as the design grows and different colours are added.
This book has been prepared with beginners in mind. The essentials of counted cross stitch are set out here with plenty of illustrations to guide you, and a basic range of free-style
embroidery stitches has been added in a supplement to the counted thread method. The book also aims to act as a refresher for those who first learned to cross stitch years ago and would
like to pick it up again. There are sections on equipment and various threads and fabrics, as well as advice on how to read charts and create your own, including numerous motifs and
alphabets for you to use. The terminology used throughout is UK-standard, together with the relevant US terms in square brackets [ ] to make this a practical guide for all readers.
