1. Decide on a Cross Stitch Design Chart of your choice. Make sure you have the right fabric, Floss colors, needle, scissors and optional hoop to begin your project.

2. It is important to centralize the design. Fold the fabric in half horizontally and pinch it to make a light crease. Open, then fold the fabric in half vertically and make another pinch. Where the two creases cross is the center.

3. Match the center of the fabric with the center of the design on your design chart. You can find the center of the design by following the arrows located on the bottom and side of the Design Chart.

4. You can start stitching at the center, or count out the number of squares from the center of the Design Chart to where you would like to start. Then count out the same number of squares from the center of the fabric to locate your preferred starting point.

5. Thread your needle with the required number of strands of the color of Floss you'll be working with. Remember to separate the six-strand piece of Floss by pulling out the required number of strands for the stitch you'll be using.

6. To begin, pass the threaded needle though the fabric from the front about an inch from where you want to start. Leave about an inch of Floss off to the side on the top of the fabric. Now, come up from the back in the exact square you've selected as your starting point. Then, go down to complete your first cross stitch. Continue stitching about four or five full stitches then pull the short end that has been resting on top of the fabric through from the back and snip it off close to the fabric. Never knot your thread.

7. You can work by either doing a line of half crosses, then finishing the cross by going back to stitch the top diagonals, or by completing each cross one at a time.

8. Sometimes you'll stitch only a few stitches in an area, than jump to another area with that same color floss. Jumping can be easier than stopping and starting, but when you carry the floss along the back it can show through the fabric. Only carry thread to another area if the jump is short and the thread is a light color.

9. The beauty of cross stitch is that all the stitches are identical and present a smooth, uniform surface. Make sure that all your top stitches are worked in the same direction and that each stitch is pulled with the same amount of tension. If the stitches are pulled too tight, the Aida Cloth will become distorted and the holes will enlarge. If the floss is too loose, the shape of the cross stitch will be lost. If you make an error while stitching, it's simple to correct it by gently pulling out the stitches with the end of the needle. Then just try it again.