![Image 1 — [WIP] My first attempt](https://preview.redd.it/k3p0ei0wdk1h1.jpg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2737dd87597acc41c4a338853468cded12e5de88)
![Image 2 — [WIP] My first attempt](https://preview.redd.it/2xgj4h7wdk1h1.jpg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=76b254b133f9bf26af486150a571e6dacabc8a2a)
[WIP] My first attempt
Hiya there, this is my first time trying cross stitching. I had a kit with skeins, needles, an embroidery hoop and a needle threader, but no pattern. So I looked for some free patterns online and ended up with a cactus pattern from catterpillarcrossstitch.com. Started with the cyan bits, but I realized I didn't have the proper colours. So I ended up ordering a large mix of skeins from aliexpress (DMC thread isn't readily available where I live, so I had to go for clones). I obviously didn't measure the work surface properly and might have been over-optimistic regarding the size of the fabric, so I might just have to relegate this one to this singular cactus. I was just wonering about the back-stitching; to me it looks really good, I tried really hard not to waste thread by using the dutch method. Does this look okay to you? Any tips or hints?