Webliography: Trusted Sites for Beginners
Curated by Christie Mancino
This webliography was created with the process of cross stitch in mind.
It follows the general steps someone would use, from start to finish, for a cross stitch project.
Start from the top, go with your own flow, or pick and choose the ones you need.
The choice is yours!
Website
Video
Podcast
Icons created by Freepik - Flaticon
- A Beginners Guide to Cross Stitch Fabrics and Needles - Caterpillar Cross Stitch
[Website - 4 minute read] No clue where to start? This simple guide by Caterpillar Cross Stitch explains the most popular cross stitch fabrics, counts, and needle sizes that are used in an easy to understand way. The site provides advice on which fabrics and counts are suggested for beginners and shows pictures of what the fabric looks like. It also includes a small, nifty table to easily figure out your needle size for your chosen fabric.
- What Are The Different Types of Cross Stitch Floss Used? - Stitching Jules Design
[Website - 5 minute read] Standing in the floss aisle and feeling more lost than ever before due to the vast selection of floss? No worries! Stitch Jules Design provides a comprehensive list of all the different types of floss that is used in cross stitching. It is broken down in easy to understand language no matter how unfamiliar you are with the process. It lists types of floss, individual floss features, what each floss is best used for, difficultly level of use, specific challenges, and tips for use. A summarized table of floss types, material, best for, and challenges is available for quick reference at the bottom of the page.
- How to Separate Embroidery Floss Strands without Tangles - YouTube
[Video - 3 minute watch] Ending up with a tangled mess trying to separate your floss? Don't fret! Here's a short, easy to follow video by Cutesy Crafts showing two methods of separating cross stitch floss quickly and effectively. Perfect for those just starting out in the cross stitch world or those who are having issues with knots - because they are the worst!
- Starting cross stitch patterns - find the centre of your pattern - Peacock & Fig
[Website & Video - 8 minute watch] Please don't tell me you are counting squares to find the center... there is an easier way! Peacock & Fig offer two manageable methods of starting your cross stitch piece with a focus on starting at the center in a beginner friendly way. The website includes a video of the process and a summarized list of pointers.
- Hoop, Q-snap, or Scroll Frame? Which should you use? - Sirious Stitches
[Website - 12 minute read] Stitch in hand or use an embroidery frame?! That is the question! Sirirous Stitches' guide will walk you through the most popular embroidery frame choices used by stitchers and which are best for different types of projects. Stitching hand, embroidery hoops, q-snaps scroll frames are included. Each style is complemented with a picture of the frame and how a project will look inside it. Also included are tips, tricks, and things to be wary off!
- How to loop start for cross stitch - YouTube
[Video - 2 minute watch] Yes, you heard right! Not a single knot occurs in cross stitch. Krista West of Avlea Folk Embroidery demonstrates how to do a ridiculously easy loop start - a very popular & favorite start!
- English vs. Danish Method for Cross Stitch... which is better?!
[Website & Video - 13 minute watch] Never heard of the English or Danish method? No worries, you're probably already doing both! Kat, from Catkin and Lillie, breaks it down simply in an easy to follow step by step video of each method and explains when they are both most likely to be used. Rather just read at your own leisure? This video is accompanied by a well written explanation of the same material covered in the video with pictures and markings included for better understanding.
- Traveling Between Stitches (Quick Cross Stitch Video 43 - YouTube
[Video - 8 minute watch] No, we're not going anywhere! So get cozy and ready to watch this helpful tutorial to save you future grief while stitching. Hayley, from Roxanna Crafts, explains traveling - "moving your thread across the fabric to start a new stitch, from an existing stitch, without cutting the floss and restarting it" - and gives advice about when best to use this technique and the reasons to avoid. She uses her own projects as examples to explain the reasoning behind her process.
- Backstitch Basics for Beginners | Caterpillar Cross Stitch - YouTube
[Video - 10 minute watch] The dreaded backstitch is here! Stressing about adding those details to your cross stitch project and fretting over the difficulty and the process? Relax, this video has you covered! Ford, from Son of a Stitch, gives amazing advice and demonstration on backstitching that will have you adding that detail to your project without stress in no time. He shows what "true" backstitch is and the different ways and reasons to use backstitch in your piece. Backstitch is so worth it!
- How to wash and iron cross stitch and embroidery before framing - Stitched Modern
[Website - 2 minute read] Should you wash your piece? The answer is probably yes. It's incredibly easy and will help your project's vibrancy last! Stitched Modern gives step by step instruction on how to wash and iron your finished piece to keep it clean, vibrant, and looking its best while on display.
- 5 Finishing Ideas for Your Cross Stitch Project | S3E8 - Hannah Hand Makes
[Website & Podcast - 25 minute listen] Don't want to do the same old boring framing that you see all the time? That okay, here's 5 alternative options! Hannah Hand Makes provides 5 ideas of alternative finishing options with tutorials for your creative cross stitch needs. All tutorials offer a materials list and step by step instructions accompanied with pictures to help you through the process. She further discusses her thoughts and process of each idea on her podcast.
Email: Christie.Mancino@usm.edu
Site Updated: May 2026
