Cross Stitch: A beginner's step-by-step guide to techniques and motifs (Design Originals) (Craft Workbooks)

Cross stitch is one of the oldest forms of hand embroidery, popular all over the world, and it is little wonder that it remains so. Cross stitch is easy to learn, is usually the first embroidery stitch taught to children, and is quickly arranged into patterns, pictures and letters by following grid charts where each square represents a single stitch.

In Cross Stitch, you'll learn the essentials of counted cross stitch with plenty of illustrations to guide you, and a basic range of of free-style embroidery stitches, as well as advice on how to read charts and create your own, including numerous motifs and alphabets for you to use. Written with the beginner in mind, Cross Stitch is also a refresher for those who first learned the craft years ago and would like to pick it up again. You'll soon find the pleasure in cross stitch is watching your design grow as different colors are added, whether you're making a bookmark or a wall hanging to be framed as a future family heirloom.

Charlotte Gerlings is an expert in several art mediums, including needlecraft and fabric arts. She graduated in Publishing from Oxford Polytechnic (now Oxford Brookes University) and since then has worked as a book designer, writer and editor. She lives in South West London and is currently studying at Wimbledon School of Art for her MA in Fine Art. She is the author of several books, including Sewing, Patchwork, Cross Stitch, Knitting & Crochet, and 100 Great Artists.