Emma Congdon - Cross Stitch for the Earth: 20 Designs to Cherish

Cotton, although a natural fabric, does use a lot of water and pesticides and contributes to environmental pollution when not farmed in an organic way. I always try to waste as little of it as possible when working with it.

Organic cotton is considerably better for the environment but is not widely available for cross stitching at this present moment (though hopefully it will be in the future).

Linen, when farmed correctly, has a much lower carbon footprint than cotton so makes an excellent choice for those wanting to be a little bit more conscious about the impact of their materials.

Thread is the paint of the stitching world and offers endless creative possibilities. For counted cross stitch its super simple to use and the worst that can happen is that it can knot. I recommend working with two strands for whole stitches (so dividing the original thread into three sets of two strands) and then working with lengths of around 3050cm (1220in), adjusting them on your needle to get started. For backstitch use a single strand.

In this book I have used DMC stranded cotton (floss), but there are many alternatives available and the conversion chart at the end of this book will help you to get the closest colour matches.

Using thread from well known brands is best from an environmental standpoint, as their manufacture is likely to be far less polluting than unbranded and cheaper flosses. Both DMC and Anchor threads are produced in accordance with Oeko-Tex Standard 100, ensuring that flosses are free from banned azo dyes, as well as carcinogenic and allergenic dyestuffs.

Good embroidery scissors are sharp and fine-pointed for cleanly cutting thread to the correct length, and for snipping off loose ends. To keep them sharp, never use them to cut paper or fabric. Instead you will need a separate pair of fabric scissors for cutting your Aida or linen.

Like most things, you can get by with needles that are too big or too small, but using a good embroidery needle that is the right size for the fabric will make stitching much quicker and easier. Tapestry needles are best for cross stitch because they have a rounded point so will not snag the fabric. However, always be careful with where they are left (please never, ever, cross stitch in bed!). A magnetic needle minder is a good idea to give you somewhere to park your needle when its not in use there are many fun designs available.

Frames keep your fabric taut while working, can save you a huge amount of time and also ensure that your stitching is even. I like to keep it simple and use a bamboo hoop (which is also much better than a plastic one from an environmental standpoint) but there are many varieties available, including some really fancy ones that you dont even have to hold! Try out a few different models if youre unsure. A local craft store can be a good source of inspiration and advice here.