Beginner - I can't make the second X.

[zitsca]

I'm new to cross-stitch - actually, to any kind of crafts - so this is a very basic question. I've read tutorials on the internet, but I still have the same problem.

When I start to make the 2nd X, it undoes part of the 1st X.

I can make the first X no problem. I pull the needle up in the lower left corner, down in the upper right, up in the lower right, and down in the upper left.

Now the tutorials say to pull the needle up in the lower left of the 2nd X. But this is the same location as the end of the first X - where I just pushed the needle down. If I pull the needle up here, it will undo part of the first X.

What am I doing wrong?

[cdflisa]

First of all,

Try this:

Start this way instead of what the tutorials are saying.

Pull the needle up through the bottom right of an X. Make sure to hold onto the back so it doesnt pull through. Now go through the top left of the X to make this symbol \. Now Come up through the bottom left of the X and Cross over to the top right of the X. That is the first X. Now To make an X on top this X go up through the left top of the X first (otherwise if you go through the bottom right of the X to make the Start it will come out). Then After you go through the Top Left of the X... Come down to the Bottom Right. And then go through the bottom left of X and Cross over to Top right. Does this make sense?

[susie]

Why not try going from the top right to the bottom left then the top left to the bottom right this should give the cross stitch.

[Seraph]

Hi,

Go to http://www.bhg.com and look on their site, they have a complete basic steps for cross-stitching with pictures.

[neongal]

If you're working left to right, your first stitch needs to be coming up either top or bottom left. Then your stitches coming back will be coming up either top or bottom right. I'm right handed so for me it makes more sense to start up at top left, down bottom right and to complete it bottom left and top right - first stitch. My next stitch is bottom left again, which is underneath the top right of the previous stitch.

Also pull the thread just enough so you don't see any slack or looseness because the top of the stitch will press down on it a bit and make it look sloppy if it's not snug.

Hope this helps!

Lisa