Now that we have covered the materials you will need for our cross-stitch, we are almost ready to get started. Before we do that though, I would like to mention some tools and accessories which may make our stitching easier and more enjoyable.

Needles

Of course, you can’t stitch without a needle so this one is non-negotiable. Cross-stitch needles- sometimes called ‘tapestry needles’-differ from most hand-sewing needles in that they have a blunt tip. This makes it easier to find the right hole in the fabric without piercing the threads or aida blocks between the holes. The most common cross-stitch needles are 24, 26 & 28. In this case, the higher the number, the smaller the needle. Larger needles are generally considered easier to work with- due, in no small part, to their larger eyes which are easier to thread- but they are not suited to higher fabric counts with smaller holes. The general guidelines for choosing needle sizes is as follows:

-Size 24 needle- 14ct aida/28ct linen & evenweave
-Size 26 needle- 16 ct aida/ 32ct linen & evenweave
-Size 28 needle- 18ct aida/ 36ct linen & evenweave and above

Personally though, I prefer to use a size 28 needle for everything.
There are many brands of cross-stitch/tapestry needles but perhaps the best known of them are Bohin and John James. I have always chosen Bohin but I don’t believe there is a great deal of difference between the two manufacturers in terms of the needle quality. It is absolutely imperative that you pick a good quality needle with a smooth eye so as to avoid fraying your thread as it get pulled through. 

Frame/Hoop

Unless you are going to stitch in hand, you will need something to hold your fabric taught so you can work on it. Many people start with circular wooden hoops- undoubtedly one of the most iconic images in needle-craft! Although I did stitch with wooden hoops for years, I now prefer to use a Q-Snap, a square plastic frame which functions in a similar way to a wooden hoop. Some stitchers use a scroll frame; these are fantastic for larger projects but can take up quite a bit of room and are often quite expensive to buy. Perhaps it’s best that you start with an affordable wooden hoop and as time goes on you will discover the hoop or frame that works best for you. 
NOTE: If you are beading your piece, be very careful not to catch your beads in the hoop or frame as they can be cracked or broken. I always leave my beading until the rest of my project is complete and then, rather than use a frame, I simply hold my work in hand and apply the beads without having my fabric held in a hoop or frame. 

Scissors

A good quality pair of scissors is worth its weight in gold. I wouldn’t recommend using a fabric scissors for needlecraft as, in my opinion, they are too large and cumbersome. Instead, opt for a smaller embroidery scissors that you can manoeuvre around the back of your project to cut your thread ends. It is imperative that you choose a good quality pair of scissors that will make a clean cut through your thread and allow for easier needle threading. Stork scissors are traditionally associated with needlecraft and many stitchers choose them for their aesthetic appeal as well as their usefulness. Please be aware when buying stork scissors as there are plenty of truly terrible ones for sale. If you are in the market for a very special pair of stork scissors, you may consider looking at Ernest Wright- a Sheffield company who specialise in hand-crafting exquisite scissors. I bought my pair about five years ago and I hope they will accompany me along my cross-stitch journey for the rest of my life. 

Needle-minders

Often you might see stitchers with what look like pretty ornaments attached to their work in progress and though you would be forgiven for thinking these are there simply for decoration, they actually serve a very useful purpose. Needle-minders are designed to do just that: mind your needle. They are incredibly handy when you need to put down your needle for a moment but you don’t want to stick it into your fabric- something which is never advisable, as needles left in fabric for too long can cause marks. Needle-minders are magnetic- that’s how they hold your needle- and you place the pretty side on the front of your work-in-progress and secure it by attaching the detachable magnet to the back of your work. Needless to say, if you have pets or small children, please, please be careful when using needle-minders as the small detachable magnets could be easily swallowed. 

Magnetic Cables

Sticking with magnets for a moment, these silicon magnetic cable ties are a fantastic way to gather up the excess fabric around your frame and keep it out of the way. Because they’re magnetic, they also make great needle-minders. Although you might not find these for sale in your favourite needlecraft shop, they are readily available online and are usually sold for organising electric cables, such as those from a television or computer. 

Thread Conditioner

Beeswax thread conditioner is really handy for smoothing down frayed thread ends that don’t want to go through the eye of your needle. I would advise against using too much thread conditioner, though, as I have heard horror stories about threads in finished projects changing colour over time as the residual thread conditioner oxidises. This is partly the reason why I prefer to wash my pieces after I have finished stitching, as I like to be sure that any thread-conditioner as well as oil from my hands have been fully washed out. 

Lighting

It is in the cold, dark evenings of deep winter when many stitchers find themselves hard at work and, though the drawn curtains, crackling fire and dancing candle flames can add a beautiful ambience, it can also make it very difficult to see what you’re doing. No matter how many overhead lights and lamps you turn on, sometimes you still cannot see those tiny little holes through which you are supposed to be pulling your needle. Dark fabrics, in particular, are exceptionally difficult to work with in low-light conditions. Therefore, I would recommend investing in a craft light or reading light. My favourite portable light is a simple design that hangs around my neck while I stitch and can be recharged using a standard mobile phone charger. Natural daylight is, of course, the best light for stitching under, but when that is in short supply, portable craft/reading lights can be a good alternative.