Here's the second part of my cross stitch tutorial I hope you've been practicing .

Because Easter is just around the corner I chose this cute little hen.

Let's begin:

1 - The first thing I did was to count the squares that make up my hen both horizontally and vertically to find the centre square. I marked it in pencil on the chart. Then I cut a piece of Aida fabric big enough for my motif and leaving a margin all around, for this I counted 50 holes horizontally and vertically on the fabric. I also applied some slanted stitches to prevent the fabric from fraying and found the centre of the fabric square and marked it as shown on this photo. I also chose the colours I wanted to use.

2 - To begin my motif I counted the squares to the left of the centre square on the chart and then counted the same number of holes in the fabric starting from the middle. I then began my first row using 2 threads of my chosen colour and removed the red sewing thread I used as markings as I no longer needed it. Don't forget to catch the end of your thread under your stitches as I explained in the 1st part of my cross stitch tutorial. Always refer to the chart so you don't miss any row and go up or down as needed.

 Remember: On the right side of your work the needle has to form a diagonal line and on the wrong side of your work the needle only goes up or down in a vertical line.

3 - Keep following the chart. You might need to cross some stitches completely in order to be able to go up or down to the next row.

4 - Here I was running out of thread so I inserted the needle underneath some stitches and then cut the remaining thread.

5 - Start another row as if you didn't need to have threaded your needle again.

6 - Keep following the chart to build your hen. It might be a good idea to cross out on the chart the rows you've already done. Use a pencil so you can rub your markings afterwards and use the chart again.

7 - As you can see, I've reached the last row that makes up the hen's body and I'm going back down crossing all the previous stitches.

8 - Always refering to the chart, finish your motif. I used a little black bead for the eye. This is what the right side of your work should look like...

9 - ...and this is the wrong side looking very neat.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. Please, bear in mind that this is my way of doing the cross stitch. I'm sure you'll find many other tutorials on this subject with different methods of going about it.

Here are a few sites where you can find free cross stitch charts:

http://www.cross-stitching.com/
http://www.cross-stitch-centre.co.uk/
http://www.jessica-tromp.nl/embroiderycrossstitchfreepatternschristmaschildrencross-stitchgraphs.htm

If you have any doubts please email me and I'll try to help.