Cross Stitch


Cross Stitch is also known as

Punto de cruz [ES], Point de croix [FR], Kreuzstich [DE],  Punto croce [IT], Ponto cruz [PT], Korsstygn [SV].


How to do the Cross Stitch

A row of crosses can be done in two ways: The traditional style, and The Danish style. While the traditional way makes each cross at a time, the Danish way follows a process where a row of diagonal stitches are done one way and the crosses are finished on the way back. The traditional way of making crosses is more secure, but the Danish style is less confusing and can be done faster.

In modern-day embroidery, a mix of both styles is used. The Danish style is used to make rows of cross stitch and traditional stitch to make isolated cross stitch. It is suggested to follow the Danish style while making horizontal rows and follow the traditional style while making vertical rows. This is to ensure a neat reverse side. You can, however, use the styles that you personally find easier to follow.

For this lesson, I will be illustrating this stitch over a normal fabric between two parallel stitch lines. The purpose is to give an idea of its technical aspect. Once this is learned, it is not difficult to produce the stitch on an even weave fabric.

Variation 1: Traditional Style
Fig 1: Bring the needle out through A and take it diagonally across to B. Bring it back again through C, which lies vertically below A.Fig 2: Now put the needle in through D, which lies vertically above B. You have made a single cross.
Fig 3: Continue by putting the needle in through E and bring it out through the previous point D.Fig 4: Put the needle in through F to complete the second cross. Now, bring the needle out through the previous point E to begin for the third cross. Continue this process.
Fig 5: A row of cross stitch would appear like this. The same technique is followed for a vertical row.
Variation 2: Danish Style
Fig 6: Make a row of diagonal stitches as shown.Fig 7: On the return journey, complete the crosses by connecting the ends using diagonal stitches, as shown. A vertical row can also be done using the same technique.

Learn to do Cross Stitch (Traditional method) in 2 minutes!


Learn to do Cross Stitch (Danish method) in 2 minutes!


Use this stitch on a pattern.

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30 Responses

  1. S
    StitchFan says:

    This has been extremely useful in my Homework task

  2. K
    Khoo hooi bin says:

  3. A
    Annie says:

    Can you please show me what is a half cross stitch ?

    • Sarah says:

      Sure, Annie. I have not started showing tutorials on Aida fabric yet, the reason why a lot of cross stitch tutorials are missing. Until I post a proper tutorial, here is an idea: If cross stitch has 4 legs, a half-cross stitch has only 2. So, essentially, a Half-Cross Stitch is just one diagonal stitch of the full Cross Stitch. Hope this helps.

  4. M
    Marny CA says:

    I wish you had shown the backs, too.

  5. R
    RAJESH D DOBARIYA says:

  6. R
    RAJESH D DOBARIYA says:

    cross stitch

  7. R
    RAJESH D DOBARIYA says:

    new design semple

  8. a
    alica says:

    Dear Sarah,
    Very good website it is very helpful thanks very much.

  9. T
    Twila Palmatier says:

    I found an old quilt top at a garage sale and it needs some work done on it. I tried to figure out the stitching the quilter made and found it thanks to you. Now I try and get this all repaired! Thank you.

  10. k
    kokila says:

    hi,you are doing a great job.can you pls tell me the types of clothes in which the particitular embroidery type suits well.

  11. s
    sabzy says:

    hey sara!
    i love your websites it has all the stitch i need!
    you see from school i got a stitch homework and i need to write 8 different ones! so your website very helpful for me.

  12. G
    Ghazanfar says:

    Extreeeeemely helpfullllll 😀

  13. V
    Viji Shaji says:

    Dear Sarah,
    I am a house wife, getting bored at home.
    Is it possible to learn a bit of stitching?
    Would you be offering classes?
    I stay in Sus road.

  14. S
    Shami Immanuel says:

    Hi Sara,
    once again thanks for your tutorials. Learned cross stitch sometime before and I have posted some of my cross stitch works in my blog. Do have a look at it. One more suggestion. I think you might have worked some designs or project using the stitches given in the tutorials. why can’t you give atleast the finished picture of a design using a particular design or a project, so that beginners can get more inspiration to begin a project. I have tried mostly all the stitches but for most of the stitches i have no idea where to use it.

    These are the links:

    http://shamiatcraft.blogspot.com/2011_06_01_archive.html

    http://shamiatcraft.blogspot.com/2011_07_01_archive.html

    Thank you.

    shami Immanuel.

  15. P
    Padmaja says:

    Hi,, Sarah

    Your blog is very useful for the beginners like me. I like to do hand embroidery on my own, but I won’t get time due to my job. Still whenever I get time I go through your blog for the tutorials. Your postings are very nice and explanatory. I am trying to do Kasuti work following your tutorials.

    Thank you

    • sarah says:

      Dear Padmaja,
      It is really nice to read about your interest in embroidery.:)
      I know that a hectic work life can leave you with little time and patience for such a hobby, and yet, I appreciate that you do try to find some time out for it anyway.
      How has your Kasuti work come out to be? It will be nice if you post a picture of what you did here, to serve as an inspiration to others. 🙂

  16. T
    Tejaswini says:

    Hi Sarah,

    Your website is really great. I loved all the patterns in it..I have just started cross stitching and am enjoying it.
    I am in the UK currently and have done it on aida cloth. Is Aida available in Pune as well?

  17. n
    nikita says:

    The figures of the stiches are not displaying pls check them please.

    • sarah says:

      Hello Nikita,
      I hope the pictures are displaying fine now. Sometimes, it is the problem at the server end, so we can only wait till the pistures display some time later.

  18. s
    selvi shankari says:

    hi sarah everything is so nice. Thanks a lot

    • sarah says:

      Dear Selvi Shankari,

      I am happy that you find the pages nice. 🙂

      • R
        Rebecca says:

        Your website is absolutely beautiful!!!

        You are an excellent teacher, your explanation is thorough and easy to follow!

        Thank you for putting your knowledge on the net!!

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