How to cross stitch letters: Everything you need to know
Cross stitch alphabet letters hold boundless opportunities, from creating name plaques for kids, table settings for events, personalised tags and cards for gifts and more.
Letters are great for adding names or initials to your other cross stitch projects. Or maybe you want to cross stitch a favourite phrase or quote, or even a full poem or song lyrics, to display on the wall.
With so many possibilities it can be difficult to know where to start looking for the perfect cross stitch letter theme or style.
The World of Cross Stitching magazine includes a brand new set of letters in every issue – check out their digital archive of back issues.
Jump to:
- Spacing your cross stitch letters
- Backstitch cross stitch letters
- Chunky cross stitch letters
- Cross stitch alphabets to try
The ultimate guide to cross stitch letters
Spacing of your cross stitch letters
The key to success with cross stitching letters is all in the spacing! You need to consider the spaces between each letter, word, and even rows or columns of words. It’s all about being consistent.
Alphabet sets (or ABCs) will usually be presented as individual charts in alphabetical order, or even combined in one big chart, so it’s a good idea to plot out your chosen words before you begin stitching.
Backstitch alphabets are often presented in a way that suggests the best visual balance too, such as how many stitches gap to leave between letters or the way they might join up.
How to cross stitch letters with Backstitch
To get the spacing right you’ll just need some graph (or squared) paper and a pencil. Using the letter charts you can then draw your chosen words to stitch onto the paper, creating a brand new chart to stitch from.
Here's some of our top tips:
- Ensure all the letters line up along the same baseline as each other.
- Leave the same number of stitches gap between each letter, word or row of words for a consistent finish.
- If your chosen letter style is intended to be joined up, make sure all the joins fit their adjacent letter too.
Cross stitching chunkier letters
It’s a good idea to roughly sketch out larger cross stitch letters like in our example below. It helps prevent costly spelling mistakes or spacing errors that will take longer to unpick later on.
Practice your cross stitch alphabet before you stitch
Buy pads of graph or squared paper from stationery shops, or you can even get special cross stitch graph paper notebooks to fill with all your own charts and patterns.
With pages of 14-count grids (14 stitches per inch) it’s the simplest method to transfer your sketches into stitchable charts on 14 or 28-count fabrics.
Try out your plotting and stitching skills with our selection of Free Backstitch Alphabets Charts.
There’s a variety of formats and styles to use in whatever way you choose. Just remember to always first plot your arrangements onto graph (or squared) paper before you begin stitching.
Cross stitch letter patterns for free and to buy!
Now you’ve got to grips with the basics of cross stitch lettering, why not check out some more fun charts and projects?
Whether you’re looking for a small alphabet to personalise gifts, large letters to stitch individually or full alphabet samplers to frame and display at home, we’ve collated some of our favourites to help get you started.
1. Flowery cross stitch pattern
Add some floral flair to your next project with a stunning set of letters by designer Susan Bates. Each letter is decorated with intertwined stems and pretty petals that’ll work for anyone who has a green thumb or just enjoys a bursting bouquet.
Start today on our flowery cross stitch pattern.
2. Jelly alphabet pattern
A way to add some life to the party is with this bright and bold alphabet by LiftedSpiritPatterns on Etsy that looks good enough to eat! Reminding us of gummy sweets, this design would make fantastic cake toppers for birthday parties or turned into decorative bunting.
3. Decorative ABC design
If you’re into something traditional in a signature sampler style, then look no further with DMC’s decorative ABC. We can envision this style on pillowcases, on tote bags or as a framed design hung somewhere for all your guests to see and admire.
Download the free chart from the DMC website.
4. Circus alphabet
Get your hands on a cheery alphabet in a circus-style font to liven up your home. Designed by Emma Congdon of Stitchrovia, it’s a design that just keeps on giving with so many intricate details and sunny colours. There’s even a number set included as a bonus.
5. Sewing ABC pattern
Looking at ways to spruce up your craft room and make it your own? Why not design a plaque for the door with Lucie Heaton’s sewing alphabet to let your loved ones know there is serious stitching happening in this room! You could even design a little ‘do not disturb’ sign to accompany the plaque to let them know to not interrupt!
Head to Lucie’s website to purchase the pattern (£4.80).
6. 53 free fonts for personalisation
This clever collection of font sets by Lord Libidian is super handy if you want to personalise a design but are restricted by size and space. Rather than illustrative, this super selection features different font styles that suit an area of 5 to 16 stitches high – serif and sans serif, upper or lowercase, joined up or separate and much more.
See all 53 options and download for free on the Lord Libidian blog
7. Durene Jones’ fun alphabet
Perfect for decorating a nursery, this A to Z of cute pictures by one of our favourite cross stitch designers, Durene Jones, features classic imagery to illustrate each letter, from apple to zebra. When you buy the pattern you’ll get a full colour chart and key to stitch up, then frame and hang somewhere the kids can see!
8. Cross Stitch Alphabets by Hélène Le Berre
Containing 14 beautiful designs inspired by the natural world, including birds, animals and flowers, this book is a must-have for all cross stitch nature lovers.
With comprehensive instructions for each pattern, there are also instructions on how to use the motifs to decorate projects such as bags, aprons, notebook covers, make-up pouches and more. We particularly love the vegetable and Sakura blossom designs, which cleverly incorporate the motifs into the stylish letters.
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9. Modern cross stitch ABC
Go the extra mile with your gift tags by using this modern cross stitch alphabet to make their day even more special. Not only are they quick to make, but we’re sure they’ll be cherished forever.
You could even use up the coloured aida sitting in your stash to not only be resourceful but chic, too!
Download the free cross stitch letters PDF from Studio Koekoek.
10. Explore the world ABC
Stitch up a great gift for the friends and family in your life who have a little wanderlust with this wonderful aperture-style alphabet.
Within the shape of each of the 26 letters is an illustrated scene featuring mountains, beaches, animals and more. Each letter is 39 stitches high so great for larger projects.
11. Free classy Christmas cross stitch letters
It’s never too early to start stitching for Christmas with monograms, cards and gifts for all with Jenny Van De Wiele’s wonderful. The designs are perfect for winter holidays and special occasions, and include a range of letter styles to mix and match with a choice of two pretty circular borders.
Get the free Christmas chart and information and get stitching!
12. The World of Cross Stitching Alphabet Collection
Don’t miss this bumper 132-page collection of alphabet charts featuring beautiful, themed lettering to create personalised gifts and décor.
It even includes two decorative number sets and blank graph paper to get you started with sketching your letter layouts.
With designs from fan favourites Stitchrovia, Durene Jones, Joan Elliott, Tiny Modernist, Susan Bates, Jenny Barton and more, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for when you keep this fantastic collection of patterns to hand.
13. My First Alphabet from Bothy Threads
Stitch up an alphabet sampler for a baby’s nursery or child’s room to help them learn their ABC’s with this sweet kit design by Kate Garrett.
The kit contains 14-count Zweigart aida, pre-sorted stranded cotton, needle, stitch diagram and instructions. With a finished stitched size of 31x44cm it’ll make a lovely framed picture to hang on the wall and be enjoyed by all.
14. Dinosaur Alphabet by Lucie Heaton
This totally roar-some sampler design is packed full of details and colourful dinosaurs ready to sink their teeth into the letters – or maybe just have a little nibble!
These friendly-looking dinos are displayed as a sampler style design to be stitched as one, but you could always split them out to stitch as individual charts yourself if you prefer. Measuring 160x200 stitches it’s a large project to stitch but it’ll be so much fun to complete and put on display.
Check out embroidery fonts!
Don't forget to check out our guide to our top 15 stylish embroidery fonts and enjoy embroidering some brilliant letter projects too.
15. Calligraphy Cross Stitch Letters Pattern by LiftedSpiritPatterns
Create stunning calligraphy-style letters with this decorative alphabet pattern set containing the full alphabet A-Z in both upper and lower case.
There are also numbers and punctuation to help you spell out exactly what you want to say.
Measuring a maximum of 28 stitches tall and between 7 and 35 stitches wide, these letters are perfect for joining together to create beautifully formed words and phrases in a brush art style.
Get personalised with cross stitch letters
Adding a name or initial to a cross stitch item is a great way to turn your stitching into a special gift. Adding their name gives stitching your work a personal touch and makes it unique to the recipient.
Looking for a project to practice your cross stitch alphabet?
Try your hand at these lovely pink birthday cards! If you're feeling even more confident you could personalise them with the recipient's name.
