Yes, You Can Embroider!

Ten calm minutes. A hoop in your lap. A stitch that finally makes sense.

If you’re overwhelmed by all the stitches—or frustrated when instructions skip steps —you’re in the right place. 

New here? Your first stitches are allowed to look a bit wonky.

If a diagram has ever made you feel “thick,” it’s not you — I’ll show the missing steps, plus simple fixes for tension, counting slips, and thread tangles.

Start here (beginners welcome)

Not sure where to begin? Follow this quick path — it’s designed to help you finish something small before you tackle bigger projects.

  • the simple supplies I reach for most (hoop, floss, needles, small scissors)
  • 3 stitches to learn first (and the most common “why does mine look wrong?” fixes)
  • Choose your first tiny project (so you actually finish it)
  • Colour made simple: 3-thread palettes that won’t clash

If your first attempt looks messy, that’s normal, it’s not evidence you’re bad. It’s your hands learning.

Start with one small win today

flowers ad

Tiny flowers using 3 beginner stitches

How to embroider flowers

leaves ad

Leaves: easy shapes, satisfying texture

How to embroider leaves

lazy daisy stitch strawberry

Lazy Daisy Strawberry (quick + cute)

Quick links

→ Troubleshooting tips

→ Finishing techniques

→ Browse free patterns

→ Explore the history of embroidery

Explore Techniques (pick your next step)

You don’t have to choose “your style” today. Start with the path that fits you right now.

PATH A
Start embroidery from scratch

Simple line and fill stitches, tiny projects, colour recipes, and calm practice.

PATH B
Cross stitcher ready for something new?

Try blackwork next.
It’s counted-thread friendly and incredibly relaxing.

PATH C
Love white on white texture and tradition 

Hardanger embroidery and other types of whitework with a “no-wasted-linen” start.

Then, if you want to browse by style:

Counted Thread Techniques

Made a counting mistake? Here are calm ways to spot it and fix it without ripping everything out.

Cross stitch badgers sampler

Cross stitch: tinys Xs that build pictures and motifs - no drawing needed.

My simple beginners blackwork owl downloadable design

Blackwork: Geometric fills and bold outlines (I'll break it down step by step)

I had fun designing this little owl in hardanger

Hardanger: Satin stitch, cutwork and needleweaving for intricate texture 

A small sample or pulled work that is easy for beginners

Whitework: Investigate the wider world of whitework techniques

No counting involved

Hen stitched in Redwork embroidery

Redwork: One colour, simple lines and a relaxing way to practise your stitches

a slow stitching project depicting a scottish highlands holiday

Slow Stitching: A calming, freeform approach - no rules 

My first piece of crazy quilting which I made into a wedding book cover

Crazy quilting: Playful, expressive quilting plus embroidery where quirks are celebrated

One of my stumpwork designs featuring a bunny in a basket

Stumpwork: Make your stitching stand proud with wire-raised and padded techcniques

And there's more!

My free Bargello bell design - click to learn

Needlepoint: Durable and endlessly adaptable - painted canvases or counted charts

needlelace butterfly

Needlelace: Create deicate lacy fabric with stitches, use for crazy quilts or stumpwork

Needlefelt: Uses a unique notched needle and sheep's wool to create 3D projects, without actually stitching.

needle felted bunny workshop

A cozy corner for fellow makers

There’s something quietly magical about stitching a design into being — the hush as thread slips through linen, the moment a bead catches the light, and how a finished piece ends up feeling like a little mirror of you.

This space is my cozy corner for fellow makers: a place to trade tips, share triumphs, and get gentle help when a tangle or wonky stitch shows up. 

I still unpick stitches all the time — it’s part of the craft, not a failure.

Got a stitch or technique you're wrestling with?

→ Ask a question


Stay connected between projects

If you’d like occasional updates from my embroidery room, including new patterns, gentle tips, and little things I think you might enjoy, you’re warmly invited to join the Stitchin’ Times newsletter.