It looked so simple on the box! Cross stitch [hmm]

The comments above have given me a chuckle today, sorry and thank you! I have cross stitched for years but still remember the initial panics. Just follow the instructions and don't give up.
Aida fabric is woven with holes to put the needle through, 14 count has 14 holes per inch and is usually the best for beginners. Good luck to those starting new projects.

Thanks lynx

I did once make a couple of cross stitch cards from kits that came with a magazine.
They looked a bit wonky when finished so I didn't send them to anyone.

Think I borrowed some books from the library and made these. Maybe as others have said, start off with little kit that usually has everything in, plus they are small enough to complete.

I've chuckled my way through this Brilliant thread (see what I did there?)

Bikergran I took up cross stitch 4 years ago . Wish I had done it decades before. Could never understand how crosses would make picture. I love it it's so relaxing. I mainly use 14 count Aida. Have used 16 and 18. Tried evenweave but couldn't get on with it. I brought a little kit off Amazon . Made many mistakes. But was hooked. I then brought cross stitcher magazine and did the free kit that comes with every issue. The biggest thing I have made was a Triumph motor bike for my brother's 60 th birthday. Took me 3 months almost 28,000 crosses. No back stitch.

I know some people don't like back stitching but it's what makes the design come to life.

I subscribe to cross stitcher and the world of cross stitching.

I suggest you buy a magazine and try again. The world of cross stitching has readers work in it and has many small designs. I buy my Aida buy the metre of e bay as it's the cheapest but good quality and British made. I use DMC threads only 68p from lakeside needlecraft