Cross stitch and embroidery

Crochet looks like so much fun but it seems so much more intimidating than cross stitch lol

Thanks! This one was not expensive at all! The pattern was on Etsy for $4.99! It took me about a week to finish just kind of working on it when I had time!

I already had enough left over Aida cloth from a previous project and most of the floss I needed so I really only had to spend like $2 for the few colors I didn't already have lol

One way I've found to use the floss I already have instead of buying new floss for every project is this DMC substitution website . It's fantastic if you need a specific color that you're only going to use for like 20 stitches and you don't want to have to buy more floss for that one little part!

The way I started was finding a really easy pattern from Etsy and then just getting the supplies from the craft store myself.

Here's a list of what I would recommend. It's going to sound like a lot, but really you're looking at maybe $15-$20 USD and you'll have enough to do 2 or 3 small pieces

1. A pattern. Go on a site like Etsy and get a simple pattern that's interesting to you. Pick one that is small and has only a few colors in it. I think the first one I tried was like 50x30 stitches and only had like 3 colors but you don't have to go that simple if you don't want to. This will cost you maybe $2-$5 depending on who's selling it. The pattern will have the measurements and a list of which floss to get at the bottom usually

2. Aida cloth. I'd recommend 14ct white to start off since it's small enough to look nice when you're done but big enough to not be frustrating. I recommend getting DMC brand if they have it. Around here that runs about $5-$6

3. Floss. Here again I recommend DMC brand if it's available because it doesn't cost much more and it looks nicer and snags less. Where I live it costs $0.69/skein. Just go by the numbers listed on the pattern.

4. Embroidery Needles. They'll have these in little packs next to the floss and cloth. Most people seem to start with size 24 or 26, I personally like the smaller size 28 but it's all really a matter of preference. For cross stitch I wouldn't go any bigger than 24 because it will stretch the cloth too much. These usually run about $3 for a whole pack. DO NOT TRY TO CROSS STITCH WITH REGULAR SEWING NEEDLES!!! Embroidery needles are blunt and have a larger eye. Sewing needles will give you fits trying to thread them and you'll constantly be stabbing yourself in the fingers lol

5. A hoop. There are a TON of options here, but if you're just starting out and you're not sure if this is going to be something you want to do a lot then a regular bamboo hoop is fine. I've tried a few fancier options and I still end up using my cheap hoops more than anything else lol For a small pattern a 5" hoop should be fine. This should cost only about $2-$3

That's it! Just 5 things and you'll have all you need to start off. These are literally the exact same things that would come in a starter kit, the cost is about the same, AND you have control over what you want to use!