The same method is used for plain hand sewing. For doing the stitch properly, it is inserted into the fabric and brought back to the surface in one movement. The needle is brought to the upside of the fabric.
The stitcher's hand and needle stay on top of the fabric, except when securing floss. The sewing method is used by stitchers who prefer to hold the fabric in the hand instead of in a hoop. With the needle back down to the underside, run it through the loop, and gently pull the loop tight. Pull the needle back through the fabric to complete the bottom "half stitch". Do not pull the floss completely through - let loop end dangling a little bit below the cloth. Pull the needle up through the fabric where you want to start your first stitch. Thread the needle so the two ends of the floss are near the needle and the "loop" is the end farthest from the needle. If you are using two strands of floss for cross stitching, start with one strand twice as long as you need. Do not use when stitching with overdyed or variegated floss. This method for anchoring floss only works for even numbers of strands. Linens are made in counts from 14 (seven stitches per inch) to 40. The thread count of linen is measured by threads per inch, and most designs are worked over two threads, so 28-count linen will yield 14 stitches per inch. The thread used to weave linen varies in diameter, giving linen fabrics a slightly irregular surface. Linen is considered to be the standard of excellence for experienced stitchers. Linen is a fabric made with fibres from the flax plant. In some charts you will also come across half stitches - these are often used to create background detail on a design.
The most commonly used fractional stitches are three-quarter stitch and quarter stitch, and you will come across these quite frequently on cross stitch charts. Fractional stitches are also used to create more detail within a motif and more subtle shadings of colour.įractional stitches are all partly formed cross stitches, or, put another way, cross stitches with missing arms. Using three-quarter and quarter stitches can make a great different to a project, enabling you to achieve realistic curves and outlines. It is normally sewn using two or three threads of filament in a needle, or with one strand of filament and one or two strands of floss. It comes in many colors, it glitters, and golds and silvers are popular. This is like a metallic thread that has been flattened. There are 2 fundamental ways of sewing cross stitch: the Danish method - also called "here and there", where one completes a line of half stitches and then returns to complete the X and the more traditional method where each cross is completed before starting the next one. This refers both to the craft itself and to the type of stitch.
14 count cross stitch graph paper free full#
This is sometimes called Full Counted Cross Stitch. A legend shows the conversion of symbols used on the chart to the color numbers of the threads, beads, etc. The graph is a grid (of squares representing all the holes of the fabric) showing the relative position and color of each stitch. Counted Cross StitchĬounted" cross stitch is where the fabric is plain (unpatterned), and a pattern or design chart (the graph) shows where each stitch goes. There are two major types: Aida normally comes in 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 threads or holes to the inch Even-weave normally comes in 24, 26, 27, 28, 30, 32 threads of holes to the inch. This refers to the number of threads or holes to the inch (linear) in the fabric. Most color keys will show the symbol, then the color number found on the skein of floss, then the name of that color. The color key is the list of symbols and corresponding colors that are found on the chart. The chart is made up of grids of squares-each square representing one stitch.
This is known alternatiely as a Pattern, Graph or Design. There are also supplied a legend, which is the listing of what colors of thread or other materials all the symbols mean, a list of materials and the instructions. A form of pattern showing the design to be stitched using symbols or colors (representing floss colors, beads, metallic threads and specialty material) on a graph.