Reddit reviews Stitch-opedia: The Only Embroidery Reference You'll Ever Need
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The Stitch Bible by Haxell is my go-to book. The pictures are clear and in color. The only downside is it isn't spiral bound, so that sucks.
I also use the Mary Thomas Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches [Amazon link] (http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Thomass-Dictionary-Embroidery-Stitches/dp/1570761183/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420482775&sr=8-1&keywords=embroidery+book), as well as The Stich-O-Pedia other Amazon link. The Stitch-O-Pedia is spiral bound and is fantastic, if terribly organized.
My real recommendation is to go to your local library. Check online for a book you're thinking of getting, then see if your library has it. Get the book first from the library to see if it's worth spending the money on. I've saved myself several disappointments by doing this (the Doodle Stitching books for example).
I just started as well and for my first I just made a simple geometric design and did the whole thing with the satin stitch (just looping the floss in straight lines to fill it in.) It's the most basic stitch ever but embroidery is so fun and easy that it just looks great no matter how simple it is. Seriously: it's so much easier than it even looks. Anyone can do it. Other than satin stitch, chain stitch is a great one to know. Another tip is to not work with too long of floss at a time. Shorter is faster and easier to work with. Arms length is a good rule.
Also I highly recommend you get a needle threader like this (makes threading a needle SO much simpler):
https://www.embroidery.com/product.ec?productID=151811&gclid=Cj0KCQiAlIXfBRCpARIsAKvManypdM2D16hoTntOhDOklO4PNEHBQhwyaVM1VCya7THaoc7xm7uMKEEaAnHCEALw_wcB&productID=151811&gclid=Cj0KCQiAlIXfBRCpARIsAKvManypdM2D16hoTntOhDOklO4PNEHBQhwyaVM1VCya7THaoc7xm7uMKEEaAnHCEALw_wcB
And I like to keep this thimble handy in case I have trouble poking the needle through or if my finger gets sore:
Clover 614C Leather Coin Thimble https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000YZ8PE4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_APB4BbFMSRFM1
This book has a handy section of stitches with names I flip through sometimes that you can mostly figure out from looking at them, but otherwise you can just Google them for more info. Other than that it had some tips on mounting, framing, other little things you wouldnt think of like how to prevent fraying of fabric edges and even some starter ideas in the back. I like it just for the section of pictured stitches with names alone that I bookmarked for my future convenience:
Stitch-opedia: The Only Embroidery Reference You'll Ever Need https://www.amazon.com/dp/0312611595/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_h0B4BbBE49BDQ
Other than that just buy a cheap embroidery starter kit off of Amazon and draw your design straight on your fabric (they make temporary markers that can be rinsed off with water when done.) You can also use a light board to trace a drawing onto fabric after fleshing it out on paper, or even just buy transfer patterns to set onto your fabric if you don't like to draw.