Ann Logan

I assume that you yourself understand this, but still I will say. It is very important to wash your hands before touching the fabric or thread. Of course, you are going to wash the finished cross stitch design, but why make it dirtier?
In case you use a thread or fabric that is hand-dyed wash them in advance so that they do not stain your handwork.
Unwind your thread from time to time. Just leave the needle and let the thread loose - it will unwind itself... Or help it a little to unwind.
Do this every few stitches, otherwise the texture will be uneven and the fabric will show through your stitches too much.

You can find fabric for cross stitching in different sizes, colors and types.

Aida, linen and evenweave are the most common types of cross-stitch fabric. The standard Aida fabric is a good fabric for beginners because the holes are large and easy to see.
Note - it is the number of holes per inch that determines the size of your stitches.