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Examples of Cross Stitch

What is Cross Stitch?

Cross Stitch, otherwise known as counted thread embroidery, consists of thread crossing over itself to form a X. Cross Stitch is one of the oldest forms of embroidery, and can be found all over the world. Cross Stitch can be worked on several types of fabric; the most common are Aida and linen. Most cross stitch is done by following a pattern of squares of colors and/or symbols representing different colors, with each square representing a stitch. To create a pattern, start in the center and stitch the number of squares for each color. There are several forms of cross stitch; the most common is working on a piece of fabric called Aida. Aida is a cotton fabric woven together to form squares with holes at the corners. Cross Stitch is worked by crossing one stitch over the other diagonally.

Cross Stitch Tips

The two most important things to remember when cross stitching are:

1. the stitches are always in the same direction, meaning the top stitch goes from the bottom right to the top left
2. If the stitch doesn't look right, take out the stitch or stitches to fix the one that is off.

Here is a list of steps to follow when starting a new project, either from a kit of a chart:

1. Separate the thread by color
2. Keep the thread in a container. I like to keep them in order they are listed in the legend
3. Find the center of the chart and mark it
4. Find the center of the fabric by folding in half one way than the other and marking with the needle
5. Start stitching from the center hole/square working outward

The following web site offers a 5 minute lesson on cross stitch and has instructions in pdf format. Yarn Tree