Home | Contact |

55 connected

Home / Contact
Home / Contact
Paypal/ Card USD / EUR
Privacy

EARN MONEY with Offers,Tasks & Surveys

Diamond Painting
Diamond Painting Info
Diamond Painting Kits

Charts

9.50 € /9.95 USD Charts / 2
Stitch pattern from photo


Articles
Articles


Email updates
Get updates by email:
Shops and distributors
UK Webshops
US Shops / 2
US Retailers / 2  
Distributors / DS2

Designer Links
Designer Links
/ 2
Scrapbooking designers

Charts and Kits
Cross Stitch Designers
Cross Stitch Kit Shops
Free Cross Stitch Patterns
Mirabilia Kits / 2 / 3
Mirabilia Corrections
Lavender & Lace
Dimensions Kits / 2 / 3 / 4

Christmas Kits
Sewing Kits
Heaven & Earth Kits
Needlepoint Kits
Told in a Garden
Tobin Kits / 2
Mill Hill Kits
Vervaco Kits / 2 / 3
Candamar Kits / 2 / 3
Plastic Canvas Kits / 2 / 3
Imaginating Charts / 2 / 3 / 4
Janlynn Kits / 2 / 3
Riolis Kits / 2 / 3
RTO Kits / 2
Passione Ricamo / Free
Nora Corbett / 2
Butternut Road

Cross stitch fabrics
Aida, lugana, zweigart
Aida Fabric
Best Aida Fabric Brand
More Cross Stitch Fabrics
Aida, Evenweave, Lugana, Linen
Cross Stitch On Linen Or Evenweave / 2
Aida & Other fabrics
Cross Stitch Fabrics / 2

Fabric Count in Cross Stitch
Permin
Linen/Evenweave Fabric Calculator

Aida Fabric Calculator
Cross Stitch Calculator /2 /3 /4 /5 /6

Cross Stitch Calculator 7 /8 /9 /10

Cross Stitch
Cross Stitch Articles
Cross Stitch Charts
Cross Stitch Tips /2 /3 /4
Cross Stitch Stores
Cross Stitch Guide
Cross Stitch Guide For Beginners
Cross Stitch For Beginners /2
Cross Stitch Booklet /2
Cross Stitch Videotutorials
Cross Stitch Videotutorials 2
History of Cross Stitch
How To C/Stitch /2 /3 /4 /5 /6 /7
How To C/Stitch 8 /9 /10 /11 /12
How To C/Stitch 13 /14 /15 /16 /17
How To C/Stitch That WIll Last
Cross Stitch Skein Estimator / 2
How To C/Stitch Over Multiple Threads
How To Make Money With C/Stitch
How Much Money Is Your C/Stitch Worth
Can You Make Money Selling C/Stitch
9 FAQ About Starting a Craft Business
5 Basic Stitches in Cross Stitch
Best Cross Stitch Books / 2
Cross Stitch Glossary /2 /3
Cross Stitch Wikipedia
Cross Stitch Equipment /2
C/Stitching on Aida,Evenweave,Linen
65 Cross Stitch Terms
88 Cross Stitch Terms
100 Cross Stitch Terms
20 FAQ About Cross Stitch
10 Tips for Cross Stitch
15 Hints And Tips
15 Tips And Tricks
Counted Cross Stitch Hints
7 Reasons You Need To C/Stitch
Cross Stitch Coupons
Cross Stitch On Waste Canvas
Waste Canvas
Cross Stitch Magazines
What is the Best C/Stitch Brand
How To Use A DMC Color Card
Basic Stitches by Hand for Beginners /2
Health Benefits of Cross Stitch


More Articles
50 Ways To Earn Money With Crafts
20 Funny Sentences About Crafts
DMC Embroidery Threads
Embroidery Threads
Embroidery Stitches
Embroidery / Embroidery Unveiled
100 Embroidery Terms
Basics Of Hand Embroidery
Embroidery Stitches. 16 Techniques
Handling The Embroidery Thread
The Embroidery Hoop
Embroidery Hoop or Frame
Cross Stitch Helpful Hints
Needlework Glossary
Needlecratf.Tips,Tricks,FAQS
Hand Dyed Floss / 2
Hardanger Embroidery / 2
Needle (Size) Guide / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6
Needles / DMC Needles
On Threading a Needle
Knotting The Thread
Backstitch / 2
Needlepoint Inc Silk
Floss &Thread Organization & Storage /2
Scrapbooking / Scrapbooking Guide
Scrapbooking For Designers
Magnifiers
Stamps and Stampings
Macramé / Art of Macramé
Guide To Macramé
Macramé. Video Tutorials
Crochet Links
Crochet / Art of Crochet
Crochet Made Easy / 2
Basic Crochet Stitches / 2
Crochet Information / 2
How To Crochet / 2
Essential Guide To Crochet / 2
Crochet Encyclopedia / 2
Tapestry / Tapestry Weaving
Anchor Tapestry Wool. Old To New Numbers
Quilting / Quilting Mastery
Quilter's Journey
10 Quilting Techniques
How to Make A Quilt / 2
Steps To Making A Quilt
History of Quilting in America / 2
Introduction to Quilting / 2
Basic Quilting Guide / 2
Quilting Terms / 2
Stitch Dictionary / 2
Pintangle Stitch Dictionary
Stitch  Types And Appearances
Yarnist Knitter Newsletter

C/Stitch Blogs / Facebook
59 Cross Stitch Blogs
50 Cross Stitch Blogs
40 Cross Stitch Blogs
Cross Stitch on Facebook
Cross Stitch on Instagram

Forums
Crafts and C/Stitch Forums

Applications
23 Best Cross Stitch Apps
13 Mobile Apps for Stitchers

Crafts/Knitting/ Sewing Links
35 Best Craft Sites
24 Best Craft Sites
23 Best Craft Sites
18 Best Craft Sites
85 Best Craft Blogs
50 Best Craft Sites
Craft Books
9 Craft Shops
Crafts Glossary / 2
Craft Info
100 Craft Youtube Channels / 2
115 Knitting Blogs
40 UK Knitting Blogs
20 Knitting Blogs
Fixing Knitting Mistakes / 2
The 4-H Knitting Handbook / 2
Health Benefits of Knitting / 2
Beginning Knitting / 2
Instructions for Knitting / 2
Fundamentals of Knitting / 2
How to Knit for Beginners / 2
Beginning to Knit
Knitting
Knitting 2 / Knitting 3
Yarn Requirements for Knitting / 2
110 Sewing Blogs
Sewing / Tips and Tricks
The Art of Sewing
Essential Sewing Tools & Equipment
The Sewing Machine
How To Choose A Sewing Machine
The 8 Very Best Sewing Machines
How To Sew
Sewing For Beginners / 2
Sewing Needles
Schmetz Needles / 2
Introduction To Sewing Machine / 2
Understanding a Sewing Pattern / 2
Science of Sewing / 2
Sewing Basics.Know Your Needles / 2
Sewing Basics,Resource Guide / 2

Other Links

Needlework Fabrics
Needlework
Needlework Frames
Needlework Patterns
Weeks Dye Works Retailers
Sell Your Crafts Online
10 Sites To Start Selling Crafts Online
How To Sell On Etsy /2 /3
/4
Fabric Viewer
/2 / 3
Punch Needle for Beginners
Punch Needle FAQ
Punch Needle Tutorial
Wonderfil Eleganza
Eleganza/Cosmo/DMC
CXC Thread Review
/2
Needlepoint vs C/Stitch
10 Beginner Tips For Needlepoint
The Art Of Needlepoint
How To Needlepoint. Guide
How To Needlepoint
/2
Basic Needlepoint
Gloriana Shops
Storage & Organization
Eva Rosenstand
Bucilla
Vervaco Brand History
Elizabeth Bradley
Sashiko
/2 /3
3 Good Reasons To Try DMC Floche
Amigurumi
Tapestry Crochet

DMC Info/Charts/Shops
DMC World Shops / 2
Search DMC/Rosace colors
DMC / Rosace Color Card
DMC Color Card (Buy)
DMC Articles (MS Excel)
DMC/Rosace Colors / 2 / 3
DMC Color Description
DMC Color Description 2 / 3 / 4
Discontinued DMC Threads
DMC 35 New Colors
DMC Variegated To Solid Colors
DMC Variations To Solid Colors
Mouline Etoile
Light Effects
Variations / 2
Retors / Satin
Linen / 2
Laine Colbert
Coloris / 2 / 3 / 4 
Pearl Cotton Size 3 / 2
Pearl Cotton Size 5
Pearl Cotton Variations
Pearl Cotton Balls #8 / #12
Cebelia Crochet
Floche
Diamant
Babylo Crochet Yarn
Babylo Crochet Thread
Special Dentelles
Petra
Cebelia Crochet Yarn
Cordonnet Special
Broder Special

Anchor Info/Charts
Anchor Colors / Anchor 2
Anchor Description Colors
Anchor Colors And Names
Pearl Cotton #8 MC
Pearl Cotton #8 Solid
Anchor Marlitt
Anchor Metallic / 2
Tapisserie Wool / 2
Anchor Lame
Anchor Reflecta

More Color Charts / Shops
Madeira
/ Viscose
Presencia (Finca) / 2
Caron Collection /2 /3 /4
Caron Hand Dyed VG
Caron Wildflowers / 2
Caron Waterlilies
Caron Watercolors
Classic Colorworks
Crescent (Classic Colorworks)
Crescent Colors / 2
Gloriana Silk Floss
Gloriana All Threads / 2
Gütermann Skala / Mara
Gütermann 2 / Sulky / Tera
Gütermann Sew All
Glissen Gloss Colorwash Silk
Rainbow Gallery Threads
Rainbow Blending Glissen Gloss
Rainbow Gallery
R/Gallery Splendor
R/Gallery Splendor Colors
R/Gallery Wisper / Braid Petite
R/Gallery Treasure Braid 4-8
R/Gallery Treasure B. 12-16
R/Gallery Nordic Gold
R/Gallery Fuzzy Stuff
R/Gallery Silk Lame Braid
Riolis Shops
Sullivans
Threadworx Overdyed
Threadworx Overdyed Floss
Threadworx Overdyed Pearls
Threadworx Quick Reference
Threadworx Charts
Threadworx Designers
Au Ver A Soie / 2
J&P Coats
Dinky Dyes Silk/ Perle 600
Dinky Dyes Perle 1000/ P1900
The Gentle Art Sampler / 2 / 3
The Gentle Art Simply Shaker
The Gentle Art Simply Wool
YLI SR
Cosmo
Madeira
Mettler / Mettler Threads
Mettler (All)
Rasant
Riolis (Catalog)
Valdani / 2
Venus
Weeks Dye Works
Weeks Dye Works Floss
Puppets Conversion Chart
Aurifil
Panna
Robison-Anton

Conversion tables
DMC/Rosace-Anchor
Dmc-Anchor & Description
DMC/Anchor Variegated
DMC Articles Conversion / 2 / 3
DMC-Rayon-Anchor Marlitt
DMC-Needlepaints
DMC-Kreinik Metallics
DMC Light Effects-Kreinik
DMC-Colbert Wool Conversion
DMC-Presencia (Finca) / 2
DMC-Venus / 2
DMC-Gamma-Anchor-Madeira
DMC-Needlepoint Silk
DMC-Splendor
DMC-Sullivans / 2
DMC-DFN (Janlynn)
DMC-Mill Hill Beads / 2
DMC-Anchor-Jp-Mill Hill
DMC-Laine Colbert Wool
DMC-Bucilla / 2
DMC-Profilo / 2
DMC-Anchor-Profilo-Ispe
DMC-Cosmo (& Seasons)
DMC-Design Works
DMC-Riolis
DMC-Valdani
DMC-Mandarin
DMC-Anchor-Yeidami
DMC-The Gentle Art /2 /3
DMC-Puppets
DMC-Aurifil
DMC-JPCoats
DMC-Sulky
DMC-Flower Thread
RGB-DMC
Dimensions-Anchor/DMC /2
Dimensions-DMC/Anchor/JPCoats
Dimensions-DMC /2
Dome - DMC - Anchor
DMC-Weeks-Colorworks-Gast-Sullivans-Anchor
DMC-Anchor-Semco-Madeira-JP-Cosmo-Olympus-YD / 2
DMC-Light-Effects-Diamant-Rainbow-Gallery-PB-Kreinik#4 / 2
Eva Rosenstand-DMC
DMC-Au Ver Soie
Crescent Colors-DMC
Anchor-DMC
Anchor Old To New Numbers
Anchor-Sullivans
Anchor-DMC-JPCoats
Anchor Wool-Paternayan-DMC
Anchor-Tapestry Wool-DMC-Wool
Anchor-Bucilla
Anchor-Kreinik Silk Mori
Bucilla-Sullivans
E.Bradley-Anchor-DMC-Appletons Tapestry Wool
Sullivans-JP Coats
Dinky Dyes-Gentle Art
Soie D'alger - Needlepoint Silk
Silk N' Colors - Gentle Art
RB Gallery-Kreinik
Kreinik-Treasure Braid
Glissen Gloss RB-Kreinik BF
Threads to Robison-Anton
Weeks-Cosmo
Weeks Dye-Works-DMC
Gloriana Silk to Weeks Dye Works
Gloriana Silk To Caron Waterlilies To Silk N'Colors
DMC - Delica Bead
Delica Bead - DMC
DMC-Anchor-JPCoats-Beats-Anton
Itchy-Stitchy - DMC
Mill Hill Beads To Miyuki
Sulky Conversions
Knitting Needle Conversion
Threadelight-Polyester-Machine-To-Pantone-R-A-Poly-R-A-Rayon-Sulky-Madeira

Kreinik
Distributors & Stores
Kreinik color Charts
Kreinik Widths
Needle Selection Chart
Kreinik colors /2 /3
Kreinik BF / Kreinik #4
Kreinik #8 / Kreinik Silk
Kreinik  #12
Metallic Selection Chart
Kreinik Selection Guides
Braids.Uses And Care
BF.Uses And Care
BF.Secrets
Kreinik How-To
Kreinik Articles

Mill Hill
Mill Hill USA Vendors
Mill Hill Beads
Mill Hill Magnifica
Mill Hill Treasures 1
Mill Hill Treasures 2
Mill Hill Treasures 3
M.Hill.List of colors / 2
Mill Hill colors

Sponsors

Sponsor this site!
contact@mystitchworld.com


Welcome to MyStitchWorld.com. Cross Stitch Distributors


Cross Stitch.Wikipedia





 

Cross stitch. Wikipedia.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Download as PDF
 
 
Cross-stitch sampler, Germany
 
Cross stitching using a hoop and showing use of enamel needle minder.

Cross-stitch is a form of sewing and a popular form of counted-thread embroidery in which X-shaped stitches in a tiled, raster-like pattern are used to form a picture. The stitcher counts the threads on a piece of evenweave fabric (such as linen) in each direction so that the stitches are of uniform size and appearance. This form of cross-stitch is also called counted cross-stitch in order to distinguish it from other forms of cross-stitch. Sometimes cross-stitch is done on designs printed on the fabric (stamped cross-stitch); the stitcher simply stitches over the printed pattern. Cross-stitch is often executed on easily countable fabric called aida cloth whose weave creates a plainly visible grid of squares with holes for the needle at each corner.

Fabrics used in cross-stitch include linen, aida cloth, and mixed-content fabrics called 'evenweave' such as jobelan. All cross-stitch fabrics are technically "evenweave" as the term refers to the fact that the fabric is woven to make sure that there are the same number of threads per inch in both the warp and the weft (i.e. vertically and horizontally). Fabrics are categorized by threads per inch (referred to as 'count'), which can range from 11 to 40 count.

Counted cross-stitch projects are worked from a gridded pattern called a chart and can be used on any count fabric; the count of the fabric and the number of threads per stitch determine the size of the finished stitching. For example, if a given design is stitched on a 28 count cross-stitch fabric with each cross worked over two threads, the finished stitching size is the same as it would be on a 14 count aida fabric with each cross worked over one square. These methods are referred to as "2 over 2" (2 embroidery threads used to stitch over 2 fabric threads) and "1 over 1" (1 embroidery thread used to stitch over 1 fabric thread or square), respectively. There are different methods of stitching a pattern, including the cross-country method where one colour is stitched at a time, or the parking method where one block of fabric is stitched at a time and the end of the thread is "parked" at the next point the same colour occurs in the pattern.

History

 
Detail of floral border pattern in cotton. Tea cloth (small tablecloth), Hungary, mid-twentieth century

Cross-stitch is the oldest form of embroidery and can be found all over the world since the middle ages. Many folk museums show examples of clothing decorated with cross-stitch, especially from continental Europe and Asia.

The cross-stitch sampler is called that because it was generally stitched by a young girl to learn how to stitch and to record alphabet and other patterns to be used in her household sewing. These samples of her stitching could be referred back to over the years. Often, motifs and initials were stitched on household items to identify their owner, or simply to decorate the otherwise-plain cloth. The earliest known cross stitch sampler made in the United States is currently housed at Pilgrim Hall in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The sampler was created by Loara Standish, daughter of Captain Myles Standish and pioneer of the Leviathan stitch, circa 1653.

 
Cross stitch from Surif. Top half of picture is the reverse side.

Traditionally, cross-stitch was used to embellish items like household linens, tablecloths, dishcloths, and doilies (only a small portion of which would actually be embroidered, such as a border). Although there are many cross-stitchers who still employ it in this fashion, it is now increasingly popular to work the pattern on pieces of fabric and hang them on the wall for decoration. Cross-stitch is also often used to make greeting cards, pillowtops, or as inserts for box tops, coasters and trivets.

Multicoloured, shaded, painting-like patterns as we know them today are a fairly modern development, deriving from similar shaded patterns of Berlin wool work of the mid-nineteenth century. Besides designs created expressly for cross-stitch, there are software programs that convert a photograph or a fine art image into a chart suitable for stitching. One example of this is in the cross-stitched reproduction of the Sistine Chapel charted and stitched by Joanna Lopianowski-Roberts.

There are many cross-stitching "guilds" and groups across the United States and Europe which offer classes, collaborate on large projects, stitch for charity, and provide other ways for local cross-stitchers to get to know one another. Individually owned local needlework shops (LNS) often have stitching nights at their shops, or host weekend stitching retreats.

Today, cotton floss is the most common embroidery thread. It is a thread made of mercerized cotton, composed of six strands that are only loosely twisted together and easily separable. While there are other manufacturers, the two most-commonly used (and oldest) brands are DMC and Anchor,both of which have been manufacturing embroidery floss since the 1800s.

Other materials used are pearl (or perle) cotton, Danish flower thread, silk and Rayon. Different wool threads, metallic threads or other novelty threads are also used, sometimes for the whole work, but often for accents and embellishments. Hand-dyed cross-stitch floss is created just as the name implies—it is dyed by hand. Because of this, there are variations in the amount of color throughout the thread. Some variations can be subtle, while some can be a huge contrast. Some also have more than one color per thread, which in the right project, creates amazing results.

Cross-stitch is widely used in traditional Palestinian dressmaking.

Related stitches and forms of embroidery

 
Ukrainian girls in traditional-style embroidered costumes
 
A cross-stitching created with the use of different color fabrics.

The cross-stitch can be executed partially such as in quarter-, half-, and three-quarter-stitches. A single straight stitch, done in the form of backstitching, is often used as an outline, to add detail or definition.

There are many stitches which are related structurally to cross-stitch. The best known are Italian cross-stitch (as seen in Assisi embroidery), long-armed cross-stitch, and Montenegrin stitch. Italian cross-stitch and Montenegrin stitch are reversible, meaning the work looks the same on both sides. These styles have a slightly different look than ordinary cross-stitch. These more difficult stitches are rarely used in mainstream embroidery, but they are still used to recreate historical pieces of embroidery or by the creative and adventurous stitcher. The double cross-stitch, also known as a Leviathan stitch or Smyrna cross-stitch, combines a cross-stitch with an upright cross-stitch.

Berlin wool work and similar petit point stitchery resembles the heavily shaded, opulent styles of cross-stitch, and sometimes also used charted patterns on paper.

Cross-stitch is often combined with other popular forms of embroidery, such as Hardanger embroidery or blackwork embroidery. Cross-stitch may also be combined with other work, such as canvaswork or drawn thread work. Beadwork and other embellishments such as paillettes, charms, small buttons and specialty threads of various kinds may also be used. Cross stitch can often used in needlepoint.

Recent trends for cross stitch

 
Cross-stitching sample

Cross-stitch has become increasingly popular with the younger generation of Europe in recent years. Retailers such as John Lewis experienced a 17% rise in sales of haberdashery products between 2009 and 2010.Hobbycraft, a chain of stores selling craft supplies, also enjoyed an 11% increase in sales over the year to February 22, 2009.

Knitting and cross-stitching have become more popular hobbies for a younger market, in contrast to its traditional reputation as a hobby for retirees. Sewing and craft groups such as Stitch and Bitch London have resurrected the idea of the traditional craft club. At Clothes Show Live 2010 there was a new area called "Sknitch" promoting modern sewing, knitting and embroidery.

In a departure from the traditional designs associated with cross-stitch, there is a current trend for more postmodern or tongue-in-cheek designs featuring retro images or contemporary sayings. It is linked to a concept known as 'subversive cross-stitch', which involves more risque designs, often fusing the traditional sampler style with sayings designed to shock or be incongruous with the old-fashioned image of cross-stitch.

Stitching designs on other materials can be accomplished by using waste canvas. This is a temporary gridded canvas similar to regular canvas used for embroidery that is held together by a water-soluble glue, which is removed after completion of stitch design. Other crafters have taken to cross-stitching on all manner of gridded objects as well including old kitchen strainers or chain-link fences.

Traditionally, it is believed that cross stitch is a woman's craft. But lately there are men who are also addicted to this.

Cross-stitch and Feminism

In the 21st century, an emphasis on feminist design has emerged within cross-stitch communities. Some cross-stitchers have commented on the way that the practice of embroidery makes them feel connected to the women who practised it before them. There is a push for all embroidery, including cross-stitch, to be respected as a significant art form.

Cross-stitch and Computers

The development of computer technology has also affected such a seemingly conservative craft as cross-stitch. With the help of computer visualization algorithms, it is now possible to create embroidery designs using a photograph or any other picture. Visualisation uses a drawing on a graphical grid, representing colors and / or symbols, which gives the user an indication of the possible use of colors, the position of those colors, and the type of stitch used, such as full cross or quarter stitch.

Flosstube

An increasingly popular activity for cross-stitchers is to watch and make YouTube videos detailing their hobby. Flosstubers, as they are known, typically cover WIPs (Works in Progress), FOs (Finished Objects), and Haul (new patterns, thread, and fabric, as well as cross-stitching accessories, such as needleminders). Other accessories include but are not limited to: Floss organizers, thread conditioner, pin cushions, AIDA cloth or plastic canvas, and embroidery needles.