Cross Stitch: A beginner's step-by-step guide to techniques and motifs (Design Originals) (Craft Workbooks)

I am a beginner and was really hoping to find some good techniques and tips. The title says a "beginner's step by step guide to techniques and motifs." I'm sure the author is an expert who does beautiful stitching. But this book did not deliver what the title said. There was little step by step techniques and some little motifs were shown (like a heart), but not much in the way of instructions.It took me only 35 minutes to read this book from beginning to end.. The 48 pages could easily have been 40 pages if they had removed all the empty white space. Just not a lot of substance.Honestly I got more from reading the instructions that came with my little cross stitch kit. This book is so very, very basic and seems so outdated with it's black and white drawings. It is just not written well. It jumps around. There are so many things I wanted to know that were not covered at all. What should a properly done stitch look like? How do I know how hard to pull the thread? Can I cut across the back with the thread to a new location or will it show through? How do I keep the thread from twisting and knotting? How do I fix a mistake? How do I remove a thread if I have done the wrong color? How do I stitch on the different fabrics?I know I probably could find the answers online but I was hoping to just be able to read a book, and then keep it as reference.Instead there were pages of empty graphs. Pages showing the different fonts for alphabet letters. Pages showing more advanced cross stitch variations and embroidery stitches. That all does me no good if I don't know how to cross stitch.In the beginning of the book there was a list of equipment, but some items were never even discussed. If I were to get the chalk pencil, embroidery marker pencil or laying tool, how would I use them and what for? Can I just draw with the chalk or pencil on the fabric? Would I be able to wash it off? How do I use a laying tool?Terms were used in the assumption that I just knew them, which I don't. An example is "whipping" the thread. This term was used more than once with no explanation what it means.There were no photos, only black and white drawings that look like they could have been from the 1940's. I had to recheck the book's copy right because it seems so outdated. It would have been so helpful to see photos of what properly done stitches should look like, what the different types of needles look like, the different types of fabric, thread, finished projects, etc. I just can't recommend this book.

I am a beginner cross stitcher. This book is just the ticket for getting me off and going. Full of lots of practical information that has been very helpful for me. I recommend this for anyone starting out.

Bought for my wife who has been sick and wanted to restart a hobby of her youth. She liked the clear layout, concise drawings and the fact that it got her back to all the basics. Also it is a short book, so she didn't get overwhelmed with too much detail.

A PERFECT BEGINNER'S GUIDE! I bought this book along with a starter kit knowing nothing about cross stitch, and I was needle pointing away in no time. Clear instructions, good practice templates.

I bought this for a friend who was learning to cross stitch. It isn't a big book or anything, but is very basic and straight to the point on a lot of things. She really like it and found it quite helpful.

This book tells you just how to learn cross stich. Small, with easy to follow instructions.

I had this sent to my grandson who is incarcerated. He said the content was very good as a first instruction book. He had started by figuring it out as he went along but he said this little book was a big help to him.

This book is clearly written and beautifully illustrated. I appreciate the detailed instructions which help beginners, such as myself. Many thanks for an excellent resource. Cay Randall-May