Cross Stitch Glossary: Guide to Essential Terms and Techniques

Welcome to my comprehensive cross stitch glossary! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cross stitcher, this guide will serve as your go-to resource for understanding the essential terms and techniques used in this popular form of embroidery.

In this glossary, I’ll cover everything from the basic elements of cross stitch to more advanced techniques. You’ll learn about different types of fabric suitable for cross stitching, such as Aida cloth and even weave. I’ll also delve into the world of floss – the colourful threads that bring your designs to life.

Additionally, I’ll explain key terms related to patterns and charts. You’ll discover how to understand common abbreviations used in cross stitch instructions. I’ll also explain some of specialty stitches that can add texture and variety to your projects.

Understanding the basics: Essential cross stitch terms

• Aida – most commonly used even weave fabric for cross stitch. Comes in a variety of sizes most common is 14 count.
• BAP – Big Ass Project
• Binca – even woven fabric but with larger squares, good for teaching cross stitch
• Canvas – open, wove stiffened mesh
• Chart – the printed pattern that shows show many stitches and what colours are needed to create a cross stitch pattern
• Counted – embroidery stitched sewn on even weave fabrics, that are counted when transferring a pattern
• Even weave – a woven fabric that has the same number of threads in each direction, such as aida, canvas and linen
• Fabric count – how many stitches can be created per one inch
• F.F.O – finally finished object or fully finished object
• Frog – when stitches have to be removed. The sound ‘rip it, rip it’
• Hoop – wooden or plastic circle frame to hold your fabric taught whilst sewing
• Linen – A natural fabric made from the flax plant
• Muslin – a lightweight open weave cotton fabric
• Needle – embroidery needles have a blunt end and come in a variety of sizes to suit different aida. Most common is size 28 for 14 count aida.
• ORTs – odd remnant threads
• Over one – one stitch per grid square.
• Over two – one stitch over two grid squares. This is usually for fabrics with a high thread count such as linen
• Perforated paper – toughed paper with a grid of holes which can be used for embroidery instead of fabric. Good for card making
• Plastic canvas – robust alternative to fabric, good for ornaments and 3d projects
• Railroading – ensuring your strands of thread lay side by side rather than twisting around each other. For a more professional finish.
• SABLE – Stash Acquired Beyond Life Expectancy
• S.A.L – stitch along
• SEX – Stash Enhancement Xperience (ie buying stuff)..
• Skein – 8m length of stranded cotton, which can be divided into six separate strands
• Soluble aida – dissolves when water is applied, an alternative to waste canvas
• Strand count – how many strands from your skein do you need to stitch with. Commonly 2 strands for cross stitch and one strand for backstitch.
• U.F.O – un-finished object
• Waste canvas – loose woven fabric used to add designs to fabrics and clothing and then removed afterwards with tweezers.
• W.I.P – work in progress

The art of stitching: Popular cross stitch techniques

• Backstitch – used to add detail and define areas
• Couching – laying thread or cord down on the surface of the fabric and stitching it in place by stitching over the cord.
• Fractionals – either quarters or three quarters of a cross stitch. They allow of a more rounded edge to a design
• French knots – the thread is wrapped twice around the needle and pushed back down where it came up to produce a small decorative knot. Normally used to add texture or features such as eyes.
• Full count – full crosses are used to create the design
• Half stitch – one half of a cross stitch, commonly used for shading and shadows
• Long stitch – long form of backstitch

A rainbow of colours: Exploring cross stitch thread options

• Floss – stranded cotton or silk thread
• Lurex – metallic thread
• pearl cotton – a firmly twisted glossy thread
• Variegated thread – stranded cotton, which changes colour along the length

Making it personal: Customizing your projects with finishing techniques

• Aida band – finished bands of aida fabric.
• Afghan – woollen blanket with areas inset for cross stitch, commonly used for baby designs
• Aperture– hole through which a design is seen in cards and frames
• Blocking – dampening and stretching finished embroidery to fix it into shape
• Sampler – a piece of fabric worked with different stitches or patterns and text

Celebrating creativity: Showcasing advanced techniques

• Assisi work – where the background is filled in and the motif is left blank
• Blackwork – uses repeating patterns or small straight stitches worked in black thread.
• Hardanger – uses cut threads and drawn thread work in geometric patterns.
• Openwork – embroidery techniques that produce holes on the surface of the fabric

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