What Is Cross Stitch, And Why Should You Give It A Try?

Hello Everyone!

What is cross stitch? You might have heard about it, you might not, but essentially, it’s a form of embroidery that uses pixel art and embroidery stitching in the form of an “x”, which is why it’s called “cross stitch”. I’ve been following cross stitch instructions almost as long as I’ve been crocheting, and I love it. I love watching the images I’m making slowly manifest on the fabric in front of me. I love the repetition of stitching those “x’s” and filling up all the larger areas of the same colour. I love the peace it gives me, whenever I sit down and concentrate on it. I literally lose time, while I’m cross stitching, it’s why I try not to pick it up while I’m busy, I forget to carry on with the things I need to do. But what is cross stitch, and why should you do it? Let me try to convince you.

Cross Stitch Is A Different Type Of Embroidery

If you’re interested in embroidery but are unsure of how to start or where to start, then try cross stitch. It’s a very close cousin to embroidery, since it utilises similar, if not the same materials, and the concept is the same. As I mentioned before, instead of trying to fill a picture with so many different types of stitching, like back stitches, satin stitches, chain stitches and running stitches, all you need to know are the straight stitches that you cross over into an “x”...and maybe the back stitch and French knot.

Cross stitch is a good introduction to embroidery, because it’s a much simpler version of the craft, and eventually, when you think you’re ready, you can start experimenting with embroidery and other needlecraft. As of the day this post was uploaded, I haven’t yet properly taken up embroidery, but I am planning to give it a go. I may not make masterpieces or beautiful patterns to sell, but I know that with time and practice, I will get to a stage where I can be proud of my embroidery skills. For now, I'll rely on my cross-stitch ones.

Counted Or Printed – It’s Up To You

There are two types of cross stitch instructions available out there. You have the counted types or the printed types. If you use the counted cross stitch instructions, you’ll most likely be given a blank piece of aida fabric (an open weave fabric, perfect for cross stitch) and a black and white pixel image, with different symbols to represent the different colours you’re going to use. Sometimes, those black and white pixel images can be in colour, but traditional or vintage patterns tend to only be in black and white.

The other type, the printed type of cross stitch still comes with the image instructions, but in addition to that, the aida fabric that comes with it will have the same image instructions printed on it. So, if your eyesight isn’t great, or if you’re struggling with the paper instructions, you can always use the printed image, as your guide. Each square you need, on the aida fabric, will have a printed symbol or colour, so you don’t need to keep squinting at the additional piece of paper, every time you need to move on in your cross-stitch piece.

Like Embroidery You Can Make Up Your Own Image

I haven’t done this yet. Like I said, I’ve been far too busy, but one day, I’d like to make up my own cross stitch piece. As with any creative craft, you can do your own thing. You don’t always have to follow instructions, and when you do, you might discover a technique that not many people know of, or even realised was a thing. Of course, there’s only so much you can do, in cross stitch, but it’s not a bad medium to start with, when you start making your own pieces.

If anything, you can use grid generators to help with making your pieces for you. In fact, if you wanted to, you could make personal prints, by uploading a photo to a grid generator, and finding colours that are similar to the colours of your photo. Mind you, I would limit the grid to a certain number of coloured threads, because you’ll be buying a whole store full of colours, just to create that very detailed piece. One of the online websites I uses is Stitch Fiddle. I’ve made a few things from the website that I’ve used for some of my other projects, and I highly recommend it, for anyone who wants to try making up their own grid patterns.

The Final Piece Will Always Look Unique

Unlike with embroidery, where realism is almost expected from the final product, cross stitch creates a unique look. Sometimes, it can be as obvious as a piece of pixel art, but if the designer of the project is clever enough, the final result can look almost realistic, especially if they cheat it with back stitch outlines and half stitches. Remember, back stitches and French knots should be done at the very end of the pattern, because they act as outlines and finishing touches for the piece.

I’ve had a few projects where I’ve had a lot of back stitches, and some French knots, and some of those back stitches mock rounded edges. Honestly, when you step back, they really do make that part of the piece look round, or those French knots fill out the spaces they need to, and you’d never know, unless you were looking closely. I am proud of some of the cross-stitch images I’ve made, some are actual scenes, like a cat looking up at a gate, or a stylised image of a coastline, and those were rather difficult to make, because there was so much detail I needed to take it slowly. Nevertheless, once they were done, I couldn’t stop looking at them, because they are just so unique.

Cross Stitch Is Fun! Give It A Try!

Honestly, you’ll never know until you try, and here’s a bonus tip, you don’t have to do it every second of the day. You can do as little or as much as you want in a sitting, as long as you practice, and keep going. You too will discover the joy of creating images that come to life on a fabric canvas, and eventually want to make your own, or move on to embroidery. Just know that it will teach you patience, and you might become frustrated, whenever you lose your place, but once that project is done, it’ll be worth the pin pricks and the sore backs in the end.

Well, that’s it from me today, I’m going to go and continue with my current cross stitch piece, which was commissioned by my mom two years ago (I wasn’t able to pick it up regularly, but I have the chance now). While I go do that, please don’t forget to like, subscribe, comment, share and follow me, here on Feather’s Charm, on my YouTube channel, on my other social media channels (Instagram, Twitter/X, TikTok), and on Patreon, your support really helps me make more content like this, for you guys.

And as always, be kind, be creative, and be unique.

I’ll see you later!

Feather, out!