Cross Stitch Patterns
Made Easy

Reading and understanding cross stitch patterns is really easy. They are just like a map, in a way. They have a graph, a symbol key, and sometimes some additional written instruction. The symbol key will have all of the symbols used throughout the graph. Each embroidery floss color is listed beside the symbol that represents it in the graph. Simply match the floss color with the symbol from the symbol key. Then find that symbol in the graph and stitch every square with that symbol, in the requested floss color. You are basically going to make your fabric look like the graph when you are finished.

The program that I use to create my own cross stitch patterns is called PC Stitch. It’s a great program. I LOVE it! You can turn just about any picture into a cross stitch pattern with just a couple of mouse clicks. There are quite a few different pattern creators out there. Simple internet searches can help you determine which one will do what you want it to, but for me, it’s PC Stitch.

After I have chosen a picture and sent it through my program, I can print out a pattern to work from. The printed pattern looks a little different than the cross stitch patterns you can buy.

This is a pattern I created from some free clipart. I loaded the picture of the graphic into my program, chose my colors, added backstitching and printed it out. As you can see, it has all the needed information on the pattern. I chose to create my pattern with colored blocks and black and white symbols, so the graph is made up of colored squares with the symbols within them. The symbol key below the graph shows which color goes with which symbol. This pattern even tells you how many strands of embroidery floss to use, and how many skeins of floss it will take to complete this project. The program also gives you multiple brands of floss colors to choose from. The dimensions of the finished project are also listed right below the graph. Everything you need to know, and then some, about this pattern is printed out for you.

Click here to download the pdf version of this pattern

Click here for graph only

Cross stitch patterns can also be used in crochet.
Click here to find out how

Most of the cross stitch patterns I have purchased don’t have quite this much information. They usually contain:

• The design area size (width and height)
• Suggested fabric count size
• A symbol key with the symbol next to the number of embroidery floss and a floss color description (usually only one floss brand)
• Suggested number of floss strands
• Backstitching instructions
• Any special or additional instructions needed to complete the design

(A few of the patterns I have are just a symbol key and a graph. The size of your stitch count and the number of floss strands are completely up to you.)

This is usually more than enough information to be able to complete the design.

Your center point will be marked in some way on the pattern. Some patterns use a bolder, darker line. Some just use arrows in the margins of the design pointing to the vertical and horizontal center lines. These center lines are how I determine where to start stitching. I usually start in the color block closest to the center square. The center square is determined by where the two lines (vertical and horizontal) intersect.

In this picture, I have marked the center lines with a green line. In the printed pattern, the center lines are marked by small arrows just outside the design area.

Click here for pdf version

Some cross stitch patterns are printed in black and white, and others have graphs that are in color blocks or symbols. Some use thick and thin lines to determine the number of strands used in backstitching. Some actually use colored lines to show different colors used in backstitching. There are patterns out there that are a little more involved than others. Multiple pages, multiple stitching layers, and lots of special embellishments or stitches. No matter what the special requirements are, most patterns are very clear and have very easy to understand instructions. Anything unusual or unique about the pattern is always written within the pattern’s instructions.

The hardest part to reading and understanding cross stitch patterns is trying not to let your eyes bug out or go cross-eyed when following the graph!! Those tiny symbols can sometimes be a little straining to your eyes. My friend has come up with a solution that works great for her. She always makes a copy of any pattern she is using. As she stitches along, she uses a highlighter to mark her progress on her pattern copy. That way she never loses her place, and very seldom has to unpick her work. I don’t do that, I like my patterns to be as clean when I finish as they are when I start.

But did I mention? ........ I am the Master Un-Picker!!

I suggest using anything, and any method that makes your life easier. Cross stitching is supposed to be fun, enjoyable and relaxing. If you spend all your time unpicking your work, it’s not much fun, or very relaxing. If marking off your graphs makes it easier to keep your place, and read the cross stitch patterns, do it! Remember, your stitching techniques and methods are uniquely yours.

Graphing Your Crochet Projects

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