Source: https://www.thecrossstitchguild.com/cross-stitch-basics/cross-stitch-basics/cross-stitching-on-aida.aspx
https://www.thecrossstitchguild.com/cross-stitch-basics/cross-stitch-basics/cross-stitching-on-evenweave.aspx
https://www.thecrossstitchguild.com/cross-stitch-basics/cross-stitch-basics/cross-stitching-on-linen.aspx

 

Stitching on Aida

All the fabrics in the aida family are woven with the threads grouped into bundles to form a square pattern on the fabric, which in turn creates obvious holes.

The stitches are formed using these holes. Aida is available in many different colours and counts and because it is so easy to see the holes and therefore where to put the needle, beginners tend to work on aida.

 

This picture shows how the fabric count affects the size of the finished motif.

 

The advantages of aida are:

• It is wonderful for cross stitch as it creates very square stitches
• It is easy to see where to put your needle
• Projects seem to grow quickly
• It is perfect for checks, tartan and gingham designs
• It frays less than evenweaves, unless encouraged
• Aida is now available made of linen threads, which is lovely to handle

The disadvantages of aida are:

• Fractional stitches are more difficult to form
• You are limited to using the holes created by the fabric manufacturer
• Some counted stitches need more fabric threads for formation

Stitching on Evenweave

Stitching on evenweave fabric is no more difficult than stitching on aida - you only need to be able to count to two! In fact, working on 28-count linen gives the same design size as 14-count aida.

This range of fabrics has threads woven singly rather than in blocks. Evenweaves are available in many colours and counts and working on evenweave is not difficult, just different.

Read more about Stitching on Evenweave

 

Stitching on Evenweave

This range of fabrics has threads woven singly rather than in blocks. Evenweaves are available in many colours and counts and working on evenweave is not difficult, just different.

The yellow flower garland below illustrates this perfectly.You can see the finished pieces are the same size on evenweave as on Aida because each stitch is formed over two threads instead of one block, therefore a 28-count evenweave has the same stitch count as a 14-count Aida – 28 threads to 2.5cm (1in) = 14 blocks to 2.5cm (1in). Evenweave can also be worked over one thread or when very fine detail is required

Knotless Loop Start

If the only thing you discover in these pages is this brilliant trick- it will have been worthwhile.

Find out how to do a Knotless Loop Start


 

Stitching on Linen

This is a quick introduction to the idea of stitching on linen fabric. It is not difficult and not always finer or harder to see. Linen is available is a variety of thread counts so you can work on something you can see comfortably.

A charted design stitched on linen

This little house project is worked over two fabric threads using two strands of stranded cotton (floss) adding the tiny amount of backstitch in one strand only. As with most counted projects, it is a good idea to start in the middle of the fabric and the middle of the chart. You cannot always tell how large the design will be when stitched. The physical size of the chart bears little relation to the completed size. It is the stitch count across and down which determines this. You will find more about this in later sections

Cross stitch on linen