Learn needlepoint and cross stitch, one square at a time
Simple, step-by-step guides for people picking up a needle for the first time. Start by choosing your craft.
Not sure which one is for you?
Compare the two crafts
Compare the two crafts
Needlepoint
You follow a design painted on the canvas, so you never count.
- You stitch onstiff canvas
- The stitchsmall and slanted
- The threadwool or cotton
Cross stitch
You count squares from a printed chart and build the picture.
- You stitch onsoft Aida fabric
- The stitcha small X
- The threadcotton floss
Your first project, step by step
Follow these four steps in order. Each one links to the guide you need.
2
Pick a starter kit
A kit gives you the canvas or fabric, thread, and needle together.
Needlepoint kitsCross stitch kits4
Finish your piece
Turn your stitching into something you can use or hang.
Needlepoint finishingFrame cross stitchQuestions every beginner asks
Short, clear answers. The small mark shows which craft a guide is about.
Needlepoint Cross stitch
Learn the stitches
Each guide has a numbered diagram you can follow.
Free tools and printables
Made for this site. No sign-up.
10 × 12.9 in140 × 180 stitches on 14 count
Fabric calculator
Find the fabric size to cut.
Open the calculator
Stitch something for Christmas
Ornaments, stockings, and small patterns to stitch for the holidays.
See Christmas projectsLatest guides
Who writes Stitch the Grid
Ella Schmidt writes Stitch the Grid with her team. We are passionate about needlepoint and cross stitch, and we write the guides we wanted when we started: simple words, one step at a time.
More about us