Cross Stitch
Cross stitch is probably the most widely used counted-thread embroidery stitch of all and is part of the needlework traditions of the Balkans, Middle East, Afghanistan, Colonial America and Victorian England.
Counted cross stitch transfers a design from a printed pattern onto fabric. The stitcher uses embroidery floss to place X-shaped stitches on fabric corresponding symbols on a pattern chart to form a picture. Each symbol on the chart represents one X on the fabric. Cross-stitch is usually executed on easily countable evenweave fabric.
The stitcher counts the threads in each direction so that the stitches are of uniform size and appearance. Sometimes cross-stitch is done on designs printed on the fabric (stamped cross-stitch); the stitcher simply stitches over the printed pattern.
The different styles of symbols on the pattern chart represent different colors of embroidery floss. Cross stitch is easy to learn and requires only a few supplies.
Subjects
- Supplies
- Dimensions
- Needle
- Floss
- Embroidery hoop
- Scissors
- Where to begin
- Stitching
- Backstitching
- Carrying Your Thread
- Finishing
Supplies
Patterns or chart
This is the pattern or design you chose to stitch. There are thousands to choose from.
Fabric
The fabric for cross stitch is woven in an even manner so that you know exactly where to place your needle. To keep the fabric from raveling either sew the edges on a sewing machine or use Fray Stop to prevent fraying.
Cross stitch fabric comes in 2 basic types: Aida and Evenweave which are available in various "counts". Fabric counts are referred to by naming the number of threads or squares per inch and adding -count. Thus, fabric with 11 squares-per-inch is called 11-count fabric.
Aida Fabric
Aida fabric has actual squares woven into it - so you are stitching your cross-stitches right over the squares. There are dozens of fabrics to choose from. They will all work, so you just have to decide on what you like.
14-count White or ivory Aida is the most popular and is an easy fabric to start on. The count refers to how many squares or threads there are in the fabric per inch - thus 14-count means there are 14 squares per inch. Other popular Aida counts are 11-count, 16-count and 18-count. The number of stitches per inch will determine the finished size of the design.
Evenweave fabric
Evenweave fabrics are like fine linen cloth and the fabric counts are based on threads per inch. If your project calls for evenweave or linen fabric, you may be unsure of the count of this fabric or the instructions that say to stitch "over two threads". Unlike Aida fabric, which already has the "squares" to stitch over, evenweave has only the "threads" showing.
You have to stitch your cross-stitches on Evenweave or Linen over 1 or 2 threads of the fabric to make your "squares" which means you pull your thread up through a hole and then count two threads (up or down depending on the direction of the stitch you are making) and put your thread down the next hole.
The count of evenweave fabric is double the count of aida fabric. So for instance, if you want to stitch a 14-count pattern, you would need to use 28-count evenweave fabric.
| Aida | Evenweave |
| 6, 8 | - |
| 11 | 22 |
| - | 25, 26, 27 |
| 14 | 28 |
| - | 30 |
| 16 | 32 |
| 18 | 36 |
Dimensions
Size of Design
You can stitch a cross stitch pattern on any count or type of fabric that you want - just keep in mind that you will need to figure out the final dimensions based on which size count you stitch on - so that you use a big enough piece of material.
A design that is 28 stitches wide stitched on:
| fabric count: | dimension will be: |
| 11 count Aida (11 stitches per inch fabric) |
2 1/2" inch (6.5 cm) wide |
| 14 count (14 stitches per inch fabric) |
2" inch (5.1 cm) wide |
| 22 count Hardanger (22 stitches per inch) |
1 1/4" inch (3.2 cm) wide |
Thankfully, most designs show design sizes for different counts of fabrics. Be sure to allow extra fabric for finishing (at least 4" extra on length and width).
Size in stitches
You often see a reference of a width and height indication on a chart, for example 150w x 90h stitches. These numbers are the dimensions of the design in stitches, meaning that the finished project will be (in the example above) 150 stitches wide by 90 stitches high. The size of the finished project will depend on the thread or stitch count of the fabric. For Aida fabric, unless otherwise noted, the design will be stitched over one square. Linen is typically stitched over two threads. The easiest way to determine the stitch count for linen is to divide the thread count by two.
Needle
A tapestry needle is used, usually a size 24 or 26 (size 26 is smaller than size 24). This type of needle has a blunt point and a large eye. Use a size 24 for stitching on 14 count fabric; use a size 26 for fabric with a stitch count greater than 14.
| Fabric | Needle | |||
| Aida | Evenweave | Size | Length | Eye |
| 6ct | -- | 18 | 48mm | 10.0mm |
| 8ct | -- | 20 | 44mm | 9.0mm |
| 11ct | 22ct 25ct 27ct |
22 | 40mm | 8.0mm |
| 14ct | 28ct | 24 | 36mm | 7.5mm |
| 16ct | 32ct | 26 | 33mm | 6.5mm |
| 18ct | 36ct | 28 | 28mm | 5.5mm |
Floss
Embroidery floss is a cotton thread used for stitching. Floss has 6 strands, but usually you will use only 2 strands at a time for stitching and 1 strand for backstitching. On Hardanger fabric (22 count) you usually will use only 1 strand; on 11 count Aida use 3 strands to stitch and 2 to backstitch. Most books and graphs suggest either DMC or Anchor brands.
Embroidery hoop
A plastic embroidery hoop is helpful to hold the fabric while you stitch. Remove the fabric from the hoop when you are not stitching to keep from getting 'hoop marks.'
Scissors
You can start out with any pair of scissors, but pretty soon you will want to get a nice pair of small embroidery scissors. Get a good quality pair with sharp points. A good pair of scissors makes stitching a lot more fun.
Where to begin
Find the center of the graph. For most patterns this is shown with arrows or a bold line. Next, find the center of your fabric. An easy way to do this is to fold the fabric in half vertically and "pinch" with your finger to make a small crease. Open the fabric, fold in half horizontally and make another "pinch". Open the fabric up. The two creases will mark the center of the fabric.
Most stitchers like to start stitching close to the center of the design. Knots on the back will show through, so do not use any knots to start or end. To begin stitching, bring the threaded needle up from the back of the fabric leaving about a 1" tail of thread behind the fabric. Stitch the next 5 or 6 stitches over the tail. Clip off extra thread. To end off, weave your needle back through the last 5 or 6 stitches and clip the thread short so as not to leave a loose tail.
Stitching
There are two methods. The first method is to work a row of half stitches (////), then work back (\\\\) to complete the X's. Use this method for most stitching. The second method is to complete each X as you go. Use this method for vertical rows of stitches.
It is important that all the X's are crossed in the same direction. That is, the top thread of the X should always slant in the same direction (either \ or /). It does not matter which way they slant, but if they are mixed the finished piece will look uneven. Relax as you stitch. Your stitches should lay flat on your fabric and not distort the holes or the fabric.
Backstitching
Backstitching is a running stitch (not an X) used to outline an area or to form lettering. Normally you use one less strand of floss for backstitching than you use for cross stitching.
Carrying Your Thread
Sometimes a color will have only a few stitches and then "jump" to another area. Most of the time you should end off and start again, other times you can carry the thread along the back. Just jumping from area to area is easier than starting and stopping, but sometimes the thread will show through. This can be a problem if you jump a dark thread over an unstitched area of light fabric.
In general, you can carry the thread to another area if the jump is short, the floss color is light, and you are jumping over a previously stitched area.
Finishing
When your stitching is complete, wash in cool water using a mild liquid detergent. Rinse well. Do not wring, but roll in a clean towel to absorb most of the water. While still damp, place face down on a terry towel. Place another cloth on top of the needlework and press lightly with a warm iron. Let dry. Then frame or finish as desired.
(Source: Yarntree and Cross Stitch About )
