Chained Cross Stitch tutorial

Chained Cross Stitch tutorial

Hand embroidery stitches

Chained cross stitch which makes good heavy border or braid like line. The key difference with this variation of cross stitch is that each stitch must be completed before moving on to the next.

In some ways it is similar to woven cross stitch. It is possible to alternate the two stitches and create different patterns by doing so. This stitch also sits well as a neat edging on things like needle books.

Chained Cross stitch step 1Bring the working thread to the front of the fabric and work a diagonal stitch as you would with basic cross stitch. I have worked from bottom left to top right.

Now work a chain stitch diagonally across the first stitch to form a cross.
Chained Cross stitch step 2
To do this bring the needle up through the fabric at the top left of the stitch as illustrated. Hold the thread with the left thumb. Insert the needle back into where it first came out. Take the needle through the fabric bringing the point of the needle out at the bottom left of the fabric.
With the thread wrapped under the needle point pull the needle through the fabric.
Chained Cross stitch step 3
Insert the needle back into the fabric at the top right an make a diagonal stitch
Chained Cross stitch step 4
Work another chain stitch and continue in this way along the line or over the area to be covered.

Chained Cross stitch step 5

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Thread Twisties!

Close detail of thread twisties

Experimenting with different threads can be expensive, as you would normally have to buy a whole skein of each type of thread. So I have made up my thread twisties which are a combination of different threads to use in creative hand embroidery. These enable you to try out stitching with something other than stranded cotton. For the price of just a few skeins, you can experiment with a bundle of threads of luscious colours and many different textures.

These are creative embroiders threads. With them, I hope to encourage you to experiment. Each Twistie is a thread bundle containing silk, cotton, rayon and wool. Threads range from extra fine (the same thickness as 1 strand of embroidery floss) to chunky couchable textured yarns. All threads have a soft and manageable drape so that twisting them around a needle makes experimental hand embroidery an interesting journey rather than a battle.  Many are hand dyed by me. All are threads I use. You may find a similar thread twist but no two are identical.

You will find my thread twisties in the Pintangle shop here.

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