Patterns and projects

Beginner Alphabet

A full capital alphabet, each letter 5 stitches wide and 7 high. Stitch it as a sampler or use the letters for names and dates.

Beginner4 hours for all 26 letters

What you will learn

41 stitches wide by 34 high. On 14-count Aida that is about 2.9 x 2.4 in (7.4 x 6.2 cm). Each filled square is one full cross-stitch.

× Blue, DMC 798 (397 stitches)

Cut the Aida at least 2 in (5 cm) larger than the design on every side. Fold it in half both ways and pinch to find the centre.
Find the centre of the chart using the arrows on its top and left edges.
Thread the needle with 2 strands and start with a loop start or by holding the tail under your first stitches.
Begin at the centre and work outward, one colour at a time. Count carefully from stitches you have already made.
Stitch one letter at a time. Leave one empty column between letters and two empty rows between lines, as charted.
To stitch a word of your own, add up the widths: each letter is 5 wide plus 1 gap. A six-letter name is 35 stitches, or 2.5 in (6.4 cm) on 14-count.
Sketch the word on graph paper, find its centre column, and start from the centre of the fabric.
Check the chart for missed squares. Finish all ends under the backs of stitches.
Wash, dry and press face down on a towel.

Every top leg must slant the same way across the whole piece.
Tick off rows on a printed copy of the chart as you finish them.
Stitch each letter completely before moving to the next, and finish the thread instead of carrying it between lines.

I miscounted and the design is one square off

If it is only a few stitches, unpick them with the eye end of the needle. Check your count against a finished part of the design every few stitches.

Fabric shows through the crosses

Use 2 full strands and let the thread untwist so it lies flat.