Materials

Thread is to the cross stitcher what a 100 shade box of crayons is to 6-year-old me.  Just like crayons have different names for the different shades for different brands, threads come in a few different brands and their naming system.  What all my patterns use is DMC, which is one of the most common embroidery floss brands.  Each color has a name and also a corresponding number.  This is how you can make sure you match the right color on a project.

A pattern for cross stitch can look intimidating at first, but if you take it piece by piece, your eyes will start to make sense of what seems like chaos and you will feel like a badass who can speak stitching code, which is ultimately what this is. It’s simply instructions: what color goes where, how far away from another and oriented in blocks of 10 by 10 squares. The symbols correspond to the color and number of thread (or floss, same thing), so wherever that same symbol appears, you will stitch one way and then layer over it diagonally to complete the cross of the cross stitch. It doesn’t matter which way you start, but you’ll get a better-looking finish if you criss one way and cross the other way each time.

Any kind of small scissors for snipping the ends of threads.  Storks are traditional (it's actually a very interesting story of how they relate to cutting the umbilical cords by midwifes back in the day). Of course, use whatever you have already on hand, or whatever design you like. 

Please be kind to your eyes!  Set up your stitching station near a window that gives plenty of natural light during the time of day you prefer to stitch or invest in good light bulbs.  Sewing and craft stores have lots of high-end lamps that mimic natural light, a cheap LED gooseneck found on clearance at Walmart works fine.  You shouldn't have to squint or hold your project any closer to your face than you would to read a book.

The type of fabric typically used for cross stitch is called Aida.  Like needles, it comes in different gauges, or sizes of holes.  Standard size and a good starting place for beginners is 14-count.  This means that in one inch of fabric, there will be 14 holes into which you stab your needle. If you have excellent eye sight or are a little bit masochistic, you can graduate to 16- 18- count or even weave if you feel so inclined, but everything you'll find on my site is designed with 14-count in mind.

Just like with any other craft, there are a variety of tools, each with their own uses.  Needles are no exception. Choosing the right tool for the right job will make stitching easier and more enjoyable.  

For typical projects on 14-count aida cloth (more on that in a moment), you'll want to choose a tapestry needle.  They come in different sizes, from 18-28.  The smaller the number, the bigger the eye (where you navigate the thread through), and the longer the needle.  Try a couple of different sizes to see what's comfortable for you.