You’ll be using the fabric blocks like counted cross stitch using the corners and sides of the block being the “holes” in the Aida or linen fabric. Using one of the gingham squares do a regular cross stitch, work another cross stitch going from middle of the sides and top to bottom. The key is to always do the stitches in the same order. The commonly used symbols on charts are “X” which sometimes indicates using a darker thread or “*” to use a lighter thread.