Source:
https://hannahhandmakes.com/blogs/cross-stitch-terms/
Donwload PDF
Local Download
-
Aida
– The most commonly used fabric for cross stitch, weaved evenly
with holes in to make your “X” and usually 100% cotton.
-
Evenweave
– Another common fabric used in cross stitch, but much softer
and more flexible. You can
read all about how to stitch on evenweave here.
-
Zweigart
Brittany Lugana evenweave – The most common 28 count
evenweave, this fabric is 52% cotton and 48% modal (which is
what makes it softer than aida).
-
Zweigart
Murano evenweave – Another common evenweave this is
also 52% cotton and 48% modal but comes in 32 count.
-
Linen
– Similar to evenweave but because it is a natural fabric made
from flax there may be some flaws in the fabric making your
stitches a little uneven.
-
Waste canvas
– Another type of fabric you can use to stitch on clothes etc
but this one you pull the threads out instead of them
dissolving. You can
read how to cross stitch on clothes here.
-
Soluble canvas
– A type of fabric you can use to stitch onto clothes etc. which
dissolves in water.
-
Aida band
– A strip of aida which has a pretty border on; used for
bookmarks/towel edging etc.
-
DMC Magic
Guide Fabric – aida is evenweave that has the grid
already on that matches your pattern grid. This makes it easier
to count when stitching and keep track of where you’re up to.
The lines disappear when washed.
-
Binca
– Again, mainly used for children binca is firmer than aida, but
not plastic. It usually comes in a 6 count making for easy
stitches.
-
Plastic canvas
– Generally used for children’s kits the holes in plastic canvas
are quite big and you tend to use a wool thread to stitch on it.
-
Fabric count
– This refers to the number of holes per inch (HPI) there is on
the fabric. For example, on 14 count aida there are 14 holes per
inch.
-
Warp
– these are the threads that run horizontally through your cross
stitch fabric
-
Weft
– these are the threads that run vertically through your cross
stitch fabric
-
Tapestry/cross
stitch needle – A blunt needle made specifically for
cross stitch that comes in different sizes. For example, a size
24 can be used for 14 count aida or 28 count linen.
-
Needle eye
– The small hole at the top of the needle where you put your
thread through.
-
Needle
threader – A small tool used to help put your thread
through the needle eye if you are struggling to do it.
-
Counted cross
stitch pattern/Chart – The most traditional type of
pattern that is broken into a grid of squares that you follow on
your fabric.
-
Stamped cross
stitch pattern – This type of pattern is stamped
directly onto the fabric and you stitch over it.
-
Sampler
– A type of cross stitch pattern made up of a variety of
stitches.
-
Motif
– A small cross stitch pattern, usually of a single item such as
a Christmas Tree or a bird, used to make Christmas cards or add
onto clothes etc.
-
PDF pattern
– This is a cross stitch pattern that you can download directly
to your phone/tablet/computer etc. This saves on postage costs
and saves paper because many people can stitch directly from the
pattern on their phone. And it means you can start stitching as
soon as you buy the pattern.
-
Grid
– Where your counted cross stitch pattern will be printed. It is
usually broken into blocks of 10 squares.
-
Design area
– The size of your finished piece. It will be smaller on the
higher count aida/evenweave you stitch it on.
-
Cross stitch
Symbol – Symbols are used on your cross stitch pattern
to differentiate between the different colours. They come in
handy when 2 colours are very similar or your pattern is printed
black and white.
-
Colour key
– This will be at the side of or near your grid/pattern and tell
you what symbol matches which thread colour. It will also tell
you the brand of thread used, and sometimes give you 2 different
brands (usually DMC or anchor).
-
Whole cross
stitch – A full “X” stitch.
-
Half stitch
– Just one diagonal stitch going in either direction “\” “/”.
-
1/4 Fractional
stitch – A stitch that covers just one-quarter of the
square. You end the stitch in the centre of your square so these
are easier to do on evenweave or linen.
-
3/4 Fractional
stitch – Basically a half stitch plus a 1/4 fractional
stitch, these take up 3/4 of the square.
-
Backstitch
– Lines of stitches that go in any direction. They are used to
add detail to a pattern and/or to outline it.
-
Stitching over
2 – This is the most popular method for stitching on
evenweave or linen. Instead of stitching from one hole directly
to the next like you do on aida you skip a hole so there will be
2 threads of evenweave under your “X”.
-
Loop/knotless
method – A way of starting your cross stitch where you
fold 1 strand of thread in half and use the loop to secure your
thread. You can
see how this is done here.
-
Waste knot
method – A different way of starting (one I don’t use)
where you use 2 strands of thread (or however many your pattern
calls for), tie a knot and thread it away from where your
stitches will be. Then as you make your stitches catch the
thread at the back and then you can snip your knot off. You can
also start this way without making a knot and just hold your
thread at the back while you “catch” it. You can
view a tutorial for this way here.
-
Petit point
– You can only do a petit point stitch on linen or evenweave.
Another name for stitching over 1, instead of stitching over 2
you stitch like you would on aida and this gives you a tiny
stitch on your fabric and makes your pattern 4x smaller (there
are 4 petit point stitches for every stitch over 2).
-
French knot
– A small knot that you make by wrapping the floss around your
needle. It adds a bit of extra texture to your design, but are a
bit tricky to get the hang of at first.
-
Colonial knot
– An alternative to a french knot you make this a little bit
different and some people prefer them over french knots. But
they are basically the same thing.
-
English cross
stitch – This is when you stitch one whole cross stitch
at a time (good for when there’s a few colour changes or a
smaller pattern).
-
Danish cross
stitch – This is when you half stitch your stitches
(good for when there’s a big block of colour).
-
Railroad
stitching – Where you put your needle in between your
strands of thread as you are pulling it through your fabric.
This makes your stitches sit flatter.
-
Confetti
stitches – These are stitches that are scattered around
your pattern (it’s best to use the English method of stitching
for these).
-
Tweeding/blending – This is when you thread 2 different
colours on your needle (usually 1 strand of each colour) and
stitch with the 2.
-
Cross country
stitching – This is a way to move around your pattern
stitching one colour at a time. This way of stitching is easier
if you have blocks of colour, but if your colours are spread out
a little bit then you might have to carry your threads at the
back (hence the name) which some people don’t like doing.
-
Basting
stitches – these are stitches that will eventually come
out of your work. In cross stitch, they are mainly used to keep
your waste or soluble canvas in place while your stitching on
it.
-
Parking
– This is a method used on large pieces with lots of colour
changes. Instead of stitching all one colour then moving onto
the next, you stitch in rows from one stitch directly to the
next. When you have a colour change you pull your old colour
thread through the front to “park” it while you change to the
new colour then pick up the old colour when you need it again.
-
Gridding
– something many stitchers do to make counting easier. You draw
a grid with soluble pen directly onto your cross stitch fabric,
usually broken into blocks of 10×10 squares the same as a cross
stitch pattern. Or buy the fabric with it already on (see
above).
-
Frogging
– A term used when undoing stitches where you have made a
mistake (because you have to “rip it, rip it”)
-
Seam ripper
– a tool used to rip out stitches. It can be used in cross
stitch and other sewing techniques too.
-
Embroidery
hoop – These are used to help keep your fabric taught
and you can use them to frame your finished work too. They come
in sizes from 2-12 inches and can be round or oval. They also
come in a few materials; wooden, rubber (which are called flexi)
and plastic (which are usually coloured). DMC has also recently
released some cute animal shaped ones.
-
Frame
– Used when stitching larger cross stitch projects, they work
like an embroidery hoop in keeping your fabric taut while you
are stitching. The flaw is that they’re too big to really be
portable, but the benefit is that you won’t have to move it
around as much, and could probably stitch the whole pattern
within the frame.
-
Scroll frame
– These are frames are good for larger protests because you can
roll the fabric you’re not stitching in around the rods and then
just move around as needed. This also helps prevent your fabric
from fraying.
-
Plastic snap
frame/Q-snap – These seem very popular in the states,
but I don’t see them being used much in the UK. They are plastic
tubes that link together to hold your work while you are
stitching. I’ve still yet to try them but I hear good things –
“once you snap you never go back”. Q-snap is a brand but is
generally used when talking about plastic snap frames.
-
Floor stand
– Used to hold your frame when stitching so you have both hands
free and this helps with aches in your hands.
-
Lap stand/Seat
frame – Smaller and more portable than a floor stand
these are great for holding your hoop when stitching. You sit on
the bottom part and this holds your stand while your stand holds
your hoop.
-
Table stand
– Like an in-between of the floor and lap stand, this goes on a
tabletop to hold your hoop.
-
Table clamp
– Instead of going onto a tabletop this clamps onto your table
edge to hold your hoop.
-
Aperture card
– A card that has a hole pre-cut at the front for you, you can
use these to make a cross stitch card. Some are tri-fold so you
can hide the back of your stitching. You can
learn how to make cross stitch cards here.
-
Floss/stranded
embroidery thread – 6 strands of embroidery thread
loosely wound together.
-
Skein
– Usually around 8 metres of floss wound up into bundles/skeins.
-
Ply –
Some people refer to the individual strands of thread that make
up a skein of floss as plies. For example, you usually use 2
plies for cross stitch (2 strands from the 6).
-
Light effects
– A type of thread from the brand DMC. There are metallic
threads, neon and glow in the dark. I share some
tips on stitching with this thread here (it can be quite
difficult to get the hang of).
-
Étoile
– A type of embroidery thread with glitter in that DMC released
in 2018. You can
read more about this type of thread here.
-
Variations
– A type of embroidery thread that has many colours in just 1
strand so you have subtle colour changes as you are stitching.
-
Perle
– A type of embroidery thread that is usually used for
embroidery rather than cross stitch (although it can be used for
both) this thread can’t be separated and has more of a silky
feel than mouline thread.
-
Seed beads
– these are small beads stitched on top of your cross stitch
work, used to add some texture. They can also be used in place
of French knots. Small beads which you can add straight onto
your stitch or add to your design after you have stitched it.
-
Beading needle
– A needle used to stitch seed beads onto your design.
-
Paper bobbin
– Used as a holder for your threads you wind your thread around
it and write the number at the top.
-
Plastic bobbin
– Similar to paper but these last a bit longer as they don’t
rip. A lot of people use stickers for their numbers and then
they can peel it off if they’re reusing for a new colour.
-
Bobbin
box/embroidery thread storage box – these are the
perfect size to hold your paper or plastic bobbins. A lot of
them also have the option to take the dividers out and then you
can fit full skeins of floss in too.
-
Bobbin winder
– A handy tool that wraps your thread onto your bobbin for you!
-
Floss bobbin
ring – There is a hole at the top of your paper or
plastic bobbins so that you can store them on a bobbin ring.
These are usually used per project so all the threads you need
for 1 project are in 1 place.
-
Embroidery
scissors – These are small and sharp scissors; perfect
for cutting those small embroidery threads.
-
Stork scissors
– Embroidery scissors that have a design shaped like a stork
bird. This design actually helps your grip on the scissors as
well as being really cute!
-
Fray check
– Use for sealing the edges of your fabric to stop it from
fraying.
-
Thread
conditioner/beeswax – Used to condition your thread so
it glides through the aida more easily and make your thread last
longer. I recommend always using this on Light Effects thread. I
use the brand Thread Heaven but I believe they have recently
stopped manufacturing so this might not be available to buy
soon. I have stocked up in preparation.
-
Needle minder
– 2 magnets that attach to your fabric for you to place your
needle on between your stitching sessions. Usually, the front
has a pretty design on.
-
WIP/Work in
progress – a term used to describe a project you are
currently working on
-
SAL/Stitch-a-long – an event where stitchers all stitch
the same pattern at the same time and it is released in parts;
usually weekly or monthly but for my
Fantasy Fairytale SAL I am releasing the parts every other
day.
-
UFO –
“Unfinished Object” used to describe an unfinished project.
-
Stash
– All stitchers will get a stash eventually! Used to describe
all of you cross stitch supplies (or your supplies for knitting,
crochet, embroidery, painting, drawing scrapbooking, card making
…… )
-
DMC
– A popular brand of embroidery floss but they also do other
supplies such as aida, wool and hoops.
-
Anchor
– Another popular brand of embroidery floss, and most patterns
in magazines etc come with both keys for DMC and Anchor.
-
Milward
– A brand that sells some needlecraft supplies such as
embroidery hoops, scissors and needles.
-
Zweigart
– The inventor of aida! They have roughly 2’500 fabrics – the
largest collection in the needlecraft world. They offer so many
colours and types of fabric which can get a little overwhelming
but also amazing once you dive in.
-
Jobelan
– Another popular brand who make aida and evenweave, but I
mainly see people using their evenweave.
-
Elbesee
– A popular brand for embroidery hoops and stands.
-
Siesta
– Another good brand for embroidery hoops and the best part is
that they have 3-inch hoops.
-
#WIPwednesday
– a popular hashtag used on Instagram and Twitter to share your
current project every Wednesday.
|