What is the difference between cross stitch and needlepoint?
I have always loved teaching Embroidery and it has has a resurgence in popularity in recent months. If you are confused by all the technical terms and names. This post should help you to know what is the difference between cross stitch and needlepoint.
What is cross stitch?
Cross stitch is a type of hand embroidery stitched onto aida / evenweave or linen fabric. Each stitch is formed of two arms which are crossed over each other.
Cross stitch can be stitched in full stitches, half stitches or fractionals. It often has backstitch stitched over the top of a design to add more detail.
What is needlepoint?
Needlepoint is a type of canvaswork embroidery. It is stitched on to canvas. This normally has the design directly printed onto it.
The stitches are called tent stitches. It is stitched across the grid of the canvas. It can be worked in two directions. Forming horizonal rows or diagonal rows.
Needlepoint fills all of the canvas with stitches.
Which is harder?
It is difficult to say which form of embroidery is harder. If you start on one, you will probably find the other more difficult as they are stitched in slightly different manners. So I will try and breakdown the difficulties with each one.
How difficult is needlepoint?
Due to the nature of the canvas, which is often larger and stiffer. Needlepoint can be bit more difficult to handle and hold. A stretcher frame is beneficial to working on large needlepoint projects.
The good thing about needlepoint, is that the designs are often printed onto the canvas, so you just need to follow along with stitches. In a kind of painting by numbers way.
How difficult is cross stitch?
Cross stitch projects are often smaller and stitches on aida fabric. You put the fabric in a embroidery hoop to keep the tension and make it easy to hold.
Following a counted cross stitch chart can be tricky, especially if it has lots of detail or a wide colour pallet. Although is it possible to purchase some cross stitch kits, where the design is printed on the fabric, like needlepoint.
Often cross stitch can have additional embroidery stitches to add after the main design is complete. For example, French knots, backstitch or even beading.
Can you use cross stitch patterns for needlepoint?
The simple answer to this is yes. But you need to choose simple cross stitch designs that don’t use factional stitches or backstitch.
These cross stitch patterns would work well as needlepoint designs
Can you needlepoint on aida?
Although the common fabric choice for needlework is canvas and stitched with wools. You can basically use any even weave fabric and thread choice you’d like. As long as the thread you choose, fits easily through the holes and no fabric shows when you have finished stitching.
