Cherry Lane Design has a three-part series on cross stitching. This first video breaks down all the materials you’ll need, including Aida fabric and DMC thread, and it shows you how to get them prepped before you start on your pattern. 

Kelly from MySimpleWalk shows how to begin cross stitching once you’ve got everything prepped with a small Christmas tree pattern, including how to read the pattern and translate it onto your fabric. She also has a video that demonstrates how to turn that pattern into a Christmas tree ornament. 

Once you’ve got the basics down, you can try different types of stitching. One of the handiest techniques is backstitching, which can be used to write text or outline an object, as The Artsy Fartsy does on her alphabet.

Another fun technique to try is to add beads into your cross stitching. Ruth Southorn, the editor for The World of Cross Stitching magazine, demonstrates how to do this and keep it in place in order to add an extra shine to your work.

When you’ve finished your cross stitch, it should be cleaned and ironed as explained in this video by Rose Maria, the third in a three-part series on how to complete a cross stitch kit. She also gives you several methods to display your finished cross stitch.