The cross stitches go at a diagonal over 2 fabric threads. This only matters on "evenweaves" like your 25-count. Come up with your needle & floss in what becomes the SW corner, count up 2 fabric threads & right 2 fabric threads. Put your needle down through the hole there (NE). 2 threads directly below, bring your needle through the hole there to the top side SE). Push it to the back side 2 threads directly above the first hole (NW corner of X).

Over two is the normal way, as it locks the floss around the threads of the fabric. "Over One" is also done, but tricky because the floss can slide behind. Aida doesn't have an "over" anything. You just go with the big holes: SW --> NE, thenSE --> NW.

Your 25-ct fabric has 25 threads per inch. You're getting 12 1/2 stitches per inch from using 2 threads for each cross stitch.

Have fun! It's a good hobby.

Thank you so much for your reply.. Much appreciated..

Hi, again! I got concerned about this site saying a Heaven & Earth design being on 25-ct fabric (over 2).

Normally these are over one thread, using 2 strands of floss. Looked this design up. It IS meant to be over 1. Would be 12" x 15"; the fabric would be 18" x 21" .

Over 1 is a little tricky. You use very light tension & re-do a stitch if it slips behind the one thread.

18.75" x 23.44" using 16-ct Aida. 16.66" x 20.8" using 18- ct Aida. Add 6" ht. & 6" width for mounting.

Personally, I recommend Aida for this type of design that reproduces art work. Every square stitched. All full cross stitches. That's a lot of floss weight for a linen to carry