Patterns and projects

Personalized Initial

Pick any letter and get a chart for a large initial inside a dotted border, 18 by 22 stitches.

Beginner2 hours

Pick your letter

Initial

18 stitches wide by 22 high. On 14-count Aida that is about 1.3 x 1.6 in (3.3 x 4.0 cm). Each filled square is one full cross-stitch.

× Blue, DMC 798 (72 stitches)◇ Lavender, DMC 210 (39 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.
Choose your letter in the box above the chart. The chart redraws for that letter.
Stitch the letter first. Each block of the letter is 2 by 2 crosses.
Count out from the letter to the border and stitch the dotted border last. It is one cross, one gap, all the way round.
Check the chart for missed squares. Finish all ends under the backs of stitches.
Wash, dry and press face down on a towel.

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.

Mount in a 4 in (10 cm) hoop for a door hanger or gift, or stitch it onto the corner of an Aida bookmark.