CROSS STITCH
The Cross Stitch is worked by creating two diagonal stitches that cross at the center. This stitch can be worked vertically, horizontally or diagonally. This stitch is one
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of the two principal stitches used in tapestry work. (Tent stitch is the other.) It can be used for fine or coarse work. The size of the cross stitches will vary, depending on the thickness of the thread and the canvas gauge. Be sure to cover the canvas completely when working this stitch. Clicking on the PRINTABLE VERSION icon, located at the end of the series of diagrams, will direct you to the page to print these instructions.
Cross Stitch - Horizontal Method:
Bring the needle up at A, go left across 1 canvas intersection, down at B. Bring the needle up through C, go right across 1 canvas intersection, down at D. Continuing on to the next stitch in the row...Starting where we left off at D, bring the needle up at C, go left across 1 canvas intersection, down at E. Bring the needle up through F, go right across 1 canvas intersection, down at B. Continuing on to the next stitch in the row..Starting where we left off at B, bring the needle up at F, go left across 1 canvas intersection, down at G. Bring the needle up through H, go right across 1 canvas intersection, down at E. Continuing on to the next stitch in the row...Starting where we left off at E, bring the needle up at H, go
left across 1 canvas intersection, down at J. Bring the needle up through I, go right across 1 canvas intersection, down at G. We will now continue on to the next row...
Starting where we left off at G, bring the needle up at K, go left across 1 canvas intersection, down at I. Bring the needle up through L, go right across 1 canvas intersection, down at H. Continue in this manner...
Cross Stitch - Alternate Horizontal Method:
This stitch may also be worked in an alternate way. Bring the needle up at A, go left across 1 canvas intersection, down at B. Now, instead of completing the cross stitch, start the next cross stitch. Beginning where we left off at B, bring the needle up at C, go left across 1 canvas intersection, down at E. Continue with F-G and H-J. Now start the return journey by bringing the needle up at I, go right across 1 canvas intersection, down at G. Continue in this manner until the row is complete. Click on "Printable Version" below to print these instructions.
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Cross Stitch - Diagonal Method:
Bring the needle up at A, go left across 1 canvas intersection, down at B. Bring the needle up at C, go right across 1 canvas intersection, down at D. Bring the needle up at E, go left across 1 canvas intersection, down at D. Bring the needle up at A, go right across 1 canvas intersection, down at F. At this point, the diagonal part of the stitching
begins. Beginning where we left off at F, move left under 1 canvas thread and bring the needle up at D. Go left across 1 canvas intersection and bring the needle down at H. Bring the needle up at B, go right across 1 canvas intersection, down at G.
You may turn the canvas and work the stitches or work the stitches from top to bottom. Just be sure to work the cross stitches so that they appear consistant. Click on "Printable Version" below to print these instructions.
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Cross Stitch - Vertical Method:
Bring the needle up at A, go left across 1 canvas intersection, down at B. Bring the needle up at C, go right across 1 canvas intersection, down at D. Bring the needle up at E, go left across 1 canvas intersection, down at C. Bring the needle up at F, go right across 1 canvas intersection, down at A. Continue in this manner until row is complete. Before starting the next row, turn the canvas around. Following the previous instructions,
continue working the stitch.
Cross Stitch - Alternate Vertical Method:
This stitch may also be worked in an alternate way. Bring the needle up at A, go left across 1 canvas intersection, down at B. Now, instead of completing the cross stitch, start the next cross stitch. Beginning where we left off at B, bring the needle up at E, go left across 1 canvas intersection, down at C. Continue with G-F and I-H and K-J. Now start the return journey by bringing the needle up at L, go right across 1 canvas intersection, down at I. Continue in this manner until the row is complete. Click on "Printable Version" below to print these instructions.
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HISTORY OF CROSS STITCH:
Cross Stitch patterns have existed since the early 1500's. Mass production of patterns began in Germany in 1804. During the next few decades production of cross stitch patterns continued to increase. By 1840 close to 15,000 designs were printed per year. This became know as the
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"Golden Age of Embroidery". Hand cross stitching declined during the 1850's with the invention of the sewing machine and was not revived until the 1960's. The oldest known cross stitch sampler in the United States dates back to 1653 and was created by Loara Standish, the daughter of Captain Myles Standish. (FYI: The Standish family arrived in the American Colonies in 1620 aboard the
Mayflower.)
The , itself, has been around much longer. The oldest known piece of counted cross stitch was discovered in Greece and has been dated at around 500 BC.
***Stitch Index*** (Alphabetical)
A - I
***Stitch Index*** (Alphabetical)
I - Z
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Stitch-opedia
An encyclopedia of needlepoint Stitches...
