Cross Stitching Method and Technique Cross Stitch Centre
Each cross stitch is made up of two diagonal stitches: a bottom diagonal stitch and a top diagonal stitch, which cross each other to form an “X”.There are two methods of cross stitching: the English method and the Danish method, and most stitchers today use both methods on the same design, depending on the circumstances. In the English method each individual cross stitch is completed before moving on to the next stitch. This is the “one stitch at a time” method.
This method is appropriate for isolated stitches and also when a vertical row of stitches is required in the same colour. You can of course use the English method throughout the design, and many antique samplers were indeed worked in this way. This method is slower and uses slightly more thread.With the Danish method you make the bottom half of the cross as you go and come back at the end of the row to complete the top half of the cross. This is the easiest way to work horizontal rows of stitches in the same colour, as shown below:
Using both methods is absolutely fine, provided you keep the top half of the cross stitches all crossing in the same direction. The top diagonal of each cross stitch should slant in the same direction throughout the piece, for it to look good.Let’s imagine you are cross stitching with a new length of red cotton. Normally you would work all the stitches in red which are next to each other. So what do you do when you get to an area of the design which calls for several green stitches, before continuing with the red stitches? There are basically three options. You can fasten off your thread and start again, threading your needle with the new colour. Or you can carry your thread along the back of the fabric to the next red cross stitch. Or you can “park” your threaded needle, until you have completed the green stitches in between.Of course the order in which a stitcher works is very much a personal matter. You should work in a way which suits you. But here are some considerations to think about in relation to these three options:This will avoid a lot of stopping and starting and is undoubtedly quicker. But you cannot carry thread for more than a couple of inches, especially if it is a dark colour which will show through the fabric. It is not so bad if the carried thread will be covered with other stitches; but if you carry dark coloured thread under an area of the design which is to be left unstitched, it will definitely show through the fabric and spoil the appearance of your finished cross stitch piece. If done for long distances across the design, carrying threads can make the back of the work very untidy. It is also a waste of thread and may result in you not having enough thread to complete your project.Working with more than one needle is helpful as it saves time re-threading and there are handy needle storage devices commonly available to hold your threaded needles.Rather than fastening off the colour with which you are stitching, you can simply park your threaded needle on the front of the fabric, until you need it again. So let’s use the example above, where your design calls for stitches in red, then green and then red again. After completing the last red stitch, carry your red thread along the back of the fabric. Come up through the correct hole to start the next red stitch and park your needle. You can then work the green cross stitches in between, until you reach the red stitches again. Then pick up your parked needle and continue stitching in red. This way there is no gap in the stitching.Keeping the stitches continuous, rather than with lots of gaps, reduces the likelihood of counting errors and avoids the task of inserting missing stitches.There are a number of simple things you can do to keep your cross stitch project in good condition until it is safely completed. When you consider the amount of care and effort which goes into cross stitching, this is definitely worth a moment’s thought. Here are some suggestions:Most importantly try to keep your hands really clean while stitching. For example, beware of ink from pens which you might be using to mark your chart and avoid eating or smoking while stitching.If you stitch on an embroidery hoop, remove your piece from it after stitching. Leaving it on the hoop for long periods will cause marks. Then roll it – not folded – and place it in a bag so that it is kept away from dust and marauding children and pets!Similarly don’t leave a needle inserted in the fabric for long periods. This could cause distortion and marks. Remove it, or insert it at the very edge of the fabric, where any marks caused will be out of sight.Consider working on a small tapestry frame, with your cross stitch attached to roll bars at the top and bottom. Provided you are comfortable with a larger frame, this avoids the circular marks which you can sometimes get with an embroidery hoop. It is also kinder to the fabric, gives a larger stitching area and you can simply roll your work up to stitch the next section.If you do need to wash your project when completed, please click washing your cross stitch for some advice.