What Is Cross Stitch and How Do Counted Cross Stitch Charts Work?

Cross stitch is a form of embroidery in which you sew X-shaped stitches onto a grid of fabric to build up a picture or design. In counted cross stitch, you don't print the design on the fabric — instead you follow a chart that tells you which color to stitch in each square of a grid, counting the threads of the fabric as you go. This is the style used by shops like JB Cross Stitch, where charts and patterns are sold as instant downloads. If you can count squares and match symbols to colors, you can start a project.

Cross stitch vs. other embroidery styles

The defining feature of cross stitch is the stitch itself: two diagonal stitches crossing to form an X. What separates counted cross stitch from other needlework is how the design is transferred.

With counted cross stitch, the fabric is usually blank. The chart is your only map, which is why learning to read it is the core skill.

How a chart maps symbols to stitches

A cross stitch chart is a grid where each square equals one cross stitch. Inside each square is a symbol — a letter, shape, or colored block. A separate color key (also called a legend or floss key) lists which symbol corresponds to which thread color, usually with a brand and number so you can buy the exact shade.

So the process is:

1. Find a square on the chart.
2. Read its symbol.
3. Look up that symbol in the color key.
4. Thread your needle with that color.
5. Stitch one X in the matching square on your fabric.

A solid block of the same symbol means a run of stitches in one color. A single isolated symbol means a single stitch. Some charts also use backstitch lines (solid or dashed lines running between squares) for outlines and detail, and these are usually listed separately in the key.

Basic supplies you need

• Fabric — most commonly Aida cloth, a woven fabric with visible square holes that make counting easy. Evenweave and linen are also used.
• Floss — stranded embroidery thread, typically cotton. The color key tells you which numbers to buy.
• Needle — a blunt-tipped tapestry needle, so it passes between fabric threads rather than piercing them.
• Hoop or frame — holds the fabric taut while you stitch.
• Chart or pattern — printed or, as with JB Cross Stitch downloads, a digital file you view on screen or print.
• Scissors — small sharp ones for cutting floss.

Fabric is described by count — the number of squares per inch. Higher count means smaller stitches and a more detailed finished piece. A chart usually states the recommended count, and the finished size depends on it.

How to read a chart: the key details

• Symbols — the language of the chart. Match each to the color key.
• Color key — symbol, color name, and floss number.
• Grid count — the chart's width and height in squares tells you the design's stitch dimensions. Divide by the fabric count to estimate finished size.
• Center marks — many charts mark the center with arrows or bold lines so you can start stitching from the middle of the fabric, which keeps the design centered.
• Backstitch and specialty stitches — listed separately, often with their own line styles.

A common beginner habit is to start at the top-left corner. Starting from the center is usually safer, because it guarantees the design sits evenly on your fabric.

Your first steps from a downloaded pattern

1. Open the chart and read the color key and any notes on fabric count and finished size.
2. Prepare your fabric — cut a piece with a few inches of margin on each side, then find and mark the center.
3. Find the center of the chart using its center marks.
4. Match the center symbol to the color key and thread your needle with that color.
5. Stitch the center stitches first, then work outward in one color block at a time to avoid constantly re-threading.
6. Count twice, stitch once — miscounts are the most common beginner error, and they compound as you move away from the center.
7. Add backstitch and details last, once all the cross stitches are complete.

Common sticking points

• Losing your place — mark off stitched squares on a paper copy, or use a highlighter, so you always know where you are.
• Uneven tension — keep stitches consistent; a hoop helps.
• Running out of floss — buy a little extra of each color, since dye lots can vary between purchases.
• Wrong fabric count — if your finished piece is bigger or smaller than expected, check the count against the chart's recommendation.

Once you've completed one small chart, the same counting-and-symbol system scales to any design, which is why downloadable charts from shops like JB Cross Stitch can be started as soon as you have fabric, floss, and a needle on hand.