The first step in solving the cube layer by layer is creating a solid foundation. This foundation is the 'White Cross'. The goal isn't just to make a cross shape with the white edge pieces on one face. Each of those white edge pieces also has a second colour, which must line up with the centre piece of the corresponding side face.

For example, the white-and-red edge piece must be positioned so its white side is on the white face, and its red side is next to the red centre piece. Getting this alignment right is critical for the next steps. We'll explore two ways to do this: the beginner-friendly Daisy Method and the more efficient Direct Cross method.

This method is a simple, visual way to build the cross without memorising complex algorithms. It gets its name from the shape you create in the first step.

1. Hold the cube with the yellow centre on the top (U) face. The white centre will be on the bottom (D) face.
2. Find the four edge pieces that have one white side. Move them to the top layer so they surround the yellow centre. The orientation doesn't matter yet. You should have a yellow centre with four white 'petals'. This is your daisy.
3. Align and drop. Pick one white edge piece on the top layer. Look at its other colour. Let's say it's red. Turn the top face (U or U') until that white-red edge piece is directly above the red centre piece on the side.
4. Once it's aligned, turn that front face 180 degrees (F2). This moves the edge piece down to the white face, perfectly aligned with both the white and red centres.
5. Repeat for the remaining three white edge pieces. Align each one with its matching centre, then turn that face 180 degrees to drop it into the cross.

After you've done this for all four pieces, turn the cube over. You should have a perfect white cross, with each arm of the cross matching its side centre.

Once you're comfortable with how pieces move, you can build the cross directly on the white face. This is faster because it skips the daisy step. It requires you to look for a white edge piece and plan a few moves ahead to get it into the correct position and orientation. We'll hold the cube with the white face on the bottom (D) for this method.

Here are a few common scenarios you'll encounter when looking for a white edge piece:

Scenario 2: Edge piece is on the top layer. This is the easiest case. If the white sticker is facing a side (e.g., red), rotate the top face (U or U') to place that piece above its matching centre (the red centre). Then, do an F2 to move it into place. If the white sticker is facing up, position the piece above its target slot and do U' R' F R.

Practicing this direct method will build your intuition. You'll start to see the shortest path to move a piece into place without thinking through every step. No matter which method you use, the result is the same: a solved white cross, the bedrock for the rest of your solve.