![\"Scarecrow](\"https:\/\/yesilovewalmart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/scarecrow-cross-stitch-towel.jpg\" "\\"Scarecrow")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Using the color chart:<\/p>\n
First print the pattern and color key.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Individual squares are located by counting from the 4 holes in each corner (around where the threads cross).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The design is counted from the chart, not marked on the fabric.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Each colored square on the chart corresponds to a woven \u201csquare\u201d on the fabric.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Each thread color is represented by a color on the chart.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n You must keep your project clean. : – ) So, wash your hands every time before you begin. You don\u2019t want oils from your skin to leave stains on the fabric.<\/p>\n The center of the pattern is marked with a bright pink dot.\u00a0 It\u2019s important for the design be centered.<\/p>\n Find the center of the towel by folding it in half lengthwise<\/span><\/p>\n Then fold it in half again across the width.<\/span><\/p>\n The point where the folds meet is the center.<\/span><\/p>\n Make a small loose stitch to mark the spot. (You can remove it when you don\u2019t need it anymore.)<\/span><\/p>\n Then count out from the center to confirm that it\u2019s accurate.<\/span><\/p>\n Embroidery floss comes in 6 strands.<\/p>\n Find the color you need from the chart near the center to start, and cut an 18\u201d piece.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Separate the strands so you have 2 for cross stitches.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Thread your needle by freshly trimming, wetting, and flattening the floss to get it through the hole.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Always make sure you have at least 3 inches of tail so it won\u2019t come unthreaded.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Stitch from the center and work outward.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Draw a stitch up through the bottom left hole of the indicated square, pull up until there\u2019s at least an inch of tail left behind.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Hold it with your finger so it doesn\u2019t pull free and is in the direction you plan to stitch.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Then draw down through the top right hole.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n As you stitch be sure that the loose tail left on the back is caught in the next loop as you pull through. [See photo below]<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Do this with several stitches to make sure that tail thread stays secure.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Then cut the excess off.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [Back of the towel \u2013 Stitching over the tail to secure it.]<\/p>\n Make several diagonal stitches, following the pattern to the end of a row<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Then work your way back by drawing up through the bottom right hole and down through the top left hole to complete the x\u2019s. [See photo and diagram below]<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [Front of the Towel \u2013 Making the x on the Diagonal Stitches]<\/p>\n Use this method the most. You may need to complete each X as you go for vertical rows.<\/p>\n Your stitches must have consistent tension, not too tight or too loose.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The stitches should lay flat against the fabric.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s important that all of the X\u2019s are crossed in the same direction.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n If a color has only a few stitches and then jumps to a new area you can either:<\/p>\n fasten off and start again in the new area, or<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n you can carry (or weave) through threads on the back to get to the new area.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Since this pattern has unstitched areas instead of a background, any thread taken across an open area in the back will show through.<\/p>\n If your thread is getting twisted, let the needle hang from your work until it untwists itself.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Always check the back of your work — make sure you have the correct tension and that there are no tangles.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n I cross off the squares on the pattern as I go to keep track of where I\u2019m at.<\/p>\n There are a few 3\/4ths stitches around his overalls pocket.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n So, for the 2nd<\/sup> diagonal part of the x you go down through the fabric where the threads cross (but you don\u2019t go all the way to the hole). [See the diagram below.]<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n When you are done with a color, your needle will be at the back of your fabric<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n So slip it through a few of the stitches in the back in that same colored area to secure the thread and to keep the color from showing through. [See diagram below.]<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Or you can weave in a z pattern to make it more secure.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n After you thread a new color on the needle, run it under several stitches on the back to secure the thread and then continue stitching.<\/p>\n Backstitching is a running stitch used to make a straight line. It is not an X. Use one strand of floss to backstitch. Refer to the pattern chart and photo to see how to make each backstitch. [Also, see the diagram below.]<\/p>\n The bird\u2019s eye is a French knot made with 1 thread.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n When your needle is up you wrap the thread twice around the tip of the needle.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The floss needs to be continuously held taut as its wound around the needle.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Then stick your needle through the fabric that\u2019s super close to where you just came out of.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Keep your thumbnail on those wound wraps as you pull through onto the back until you see a nice little knot. [See the diagram below.]<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n With two strands of thread, I made a loose stitch across his waist.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Then I came up from one row down and slightly to the right, to catch the belt<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Then went back down where I came up.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Remove the basting stitch that marked the center of the towel.<\/p>\n When your stitching is completely finished, if you have used an embroidery hoop or it has gotten dirty:<\/p>\n Hand wash in lukewarm water using a mild liquid soap.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Rinse in cold water.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nKeeping Your Towel Clean<\/u><\/h3>\n
Finding the Center<\/u><\/h3>\n
![\"Scarecrow](\"https:\/\/yesilovewalmart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/scarecrow-cross-stitch-towel-finding-the-center-red-dot.jpg\" "\\"Scarecrow")
<\/p>\nThreading the Needle<\/u><\/h3>\n
Securing the Thread to Begin<\/u><\/h3>\n
![\"Scarecrow](\"https:\/\/yesilovewalmart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/scarecrow-cross-stitch-towel-securing-the-thread.jpg\" "\\"Scarecrow")
<\/p>\nStitching<\/u><\/h3>\n
![\"Scarecrow](\"https:\/\/yesilovewalmart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/scarecrow-cross-stitch-towel-diagonal-stitches.jpg\" "\\"Scarecrow")
<\/p>\n![\"Scarecrow](\"https:\/\/yesilovewalmart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/scarecrow-cross-stitch-towel-making-the-x-on-diagonal-stitches.jpg\" "\\"Scarecrow")
Diagram \u00a9 DMC-USA.com<\/p>\n![\"Scarecrow](\"https:\/\/yesilovewalmart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/scarecrow-cross-stitch-towel-2nd-diagonal-part-of-the-x.jpg\" "\\"Scarecrow")
Diagram \u00a9 DMC-USA.com<\/p>\nFastening Off<\/u><\/h3>\n
![\"Scarecrow](\"https:\/\/yesilovewalmart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/scarecrow-cross-stitch-towel-fastening-off.jpg\" "\\"Scarecrow")
Diagram \u00a9 DMC-USA.com<\/p>\nChanging Colors<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"Scarecrow](\"https:\/\/yesilovewalmart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/scarecrow-cross-stitch-towel-beginner.jpg\" "\\"Scarecrow")
<\/p>\nBackstitching<\/u><\/h3>\n
![\"Scarecrow](\"https:\/\/yesilovewalmart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/scarecrow-cross-stitch-towel-backstitching.jpg\" "\\"Scarecrow")
Diagram \u00a9 DMC-USA.com<\/p>\nFrench Knot<\/u><\/h3>\n
![\"Scarecrow](\"https:\/\/yesilovewalmart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/scarecrow-cross-stitch-towel-french-knot.jpg\" "\\"Scarecrow")
Diagram \u00a9 DMC-USA.com<\/p>\nScarecrow\u2019s Belt<\/u><\/h3>\n
Finishing<\/u><\/h3>\n
Optional Cleaning<\/u><\/h3>\n