Crossed buttonhole stitch is a useful variety of Buttonhole. You can create patterns and interesting borders with this stitch.
How to embroider Crossed Buttonhole Stitch
You need to know basic buttonhole stitches to work this one, as it consists of pairs of angled buttonhole stitches that are crossed.

Work between two imaginary lines. Bring the thread out on the lower line and insert your needle at an angle, with the tip of the needle pointing left. Loop the working thread under the needle’s point.

Pull the needle through the fabric to form the first stitch.

Insert the needle to the left of the first stitch, at an angle, with the tip of the needle pointing right. Loop the working thread under the needle’s point and pull the needle through the fabric to cross the last stitch.

Repeat this process along the line.

I have to admit that when you first look at this stitch, it looks a little mundane — but actually, there are many creative ways you can work with it.

You can stack it, work the stitch in a square, and overlay it. In the sample below, I have worked the units of crossed buttonhole in a square pattern and added beads to the middle. The thread is an overdyed cotton perle #5.

You can also create variations by changing the spacing of the stitch or lengthening the height of the arms on the stitch

It is also interesting to use this stitch to couch on textured threads. In the sample below, I have used it to couch down eyelash thread. I also added beads to create an interesting edge. This decoration could also be used in crazy quilting.

There are also numerous possibilities if you work it diagonally or extend one of the arms too!
Worked evenly and row upon row, you can easily make patterns. It is a stitch that is worth playing with, as experimentation will lead you to some fun and interesting results.
My book for creative stitchers

If you enjoy my site you will gain real value from my book: Creative Stitches for Contemporary Embroidery: Visual Guide to 120 Essential Stitches for Stunning Designs
Feeling stale? Wondering how to add sparkle to your embroidery? I have aimed Creative Stitches for Contemporary Embroidery to be suitable for both beginners and seasoned embroiderers. It introduces techniques to encourage your creative interpretations of stitches. I guide you towards discovering play-points in your embroidery by varying the height and width; by stacking stitches; or by filling multiple rows with the same stitch. With creative variations and demonstrations of tiny tweaks, You will be ready to head off down your own creative path and, of course, illustrated with plenty of eye candy!


I’ve completed and posted weeks 17 & 18 here http://www.flickr.com/photos/susie_w/ While sometimes having to stretch out my posting times, I am still very much enjoying the challenge and looking at embellished seams with a new eye. Thank you Sharon!
I just saw your work on Pintangle TAST and your Flickr photo stream – I think your work is amazing and so lovely…. I’m not normally a fan of muted colours but your colours are beautiful and harmonious. I look forward to seeing your new work. I am new to all this – only started TAST last week but I’m loving it already
Hi Sharon,
another week, another sample.
I posted at my blog:
http://www.carorose.typepad.com
and in the Flikr group:http://www.flickr.com/photos/carorose/7143946507/in/pool-56846286@N00
Cheers
Carolyn
hello
this week, I was a bit lazzy and make just a little thing. Pauline makes her stitchs too.
http://pierrespapiersciseaux.blogspot.fr/2012/05/tast-semaine-18.html
Hi Sharon, I have completed my crossed stitch sampler, the detaisl are here-http://jizee6687.wordpress.com/category/tast-2012/18-crossed-buttonhole-stitch2/
flickr-http://www.flickr.com/photos/22818176@N07/6999135498/
stitchchin fingers-http://stitchinfingers.ning.com/photo/18-crossed-buttonholest2-sampler1?context=user
Thank you,
Chitra
Hi, here you can see my embroidery test !
http://homemadebyme.tumblr.com/post/22443385927/tast-2012-semaine-18-crossed-buttonhole-stitch
Hello
This week I put a little sampler on my new blog:
http://dufall.blogspot.fr/
Here are my samples for TAST week 18 crossed buttonhole stitch. I hope you like them…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/78808644@N08/sets/72157629970243743/
My sample for week 18
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36140279@N03/7144191361/in/photostream
Hello sharon,
Found this stitch hard to get my head around !
You can find my sample here……..
http://ellascraftcreations.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/tast-2012-crossed-buttonhole-week-18.html
hugs
chris richards
xxx
Here is my sample http://borduurblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/crossed-buttonhole-gekruiste.html
Here are my crossed buttonhole stitches. http://web.me.com/queeniepatch/Queeniepatch_Quilts/Blog/Entries/2012/5/5_TAST_2012%2C_Week_18.html
http://stitchinfingers.ning.com/photo/tast-2012-crossed-buttonhole-stitch-1?context=user
Crossed Buttonhole!
http://thetruevine.wordpress.com/2012/05/05/take-a-stitch-tuesday-crossed-buttonhole-stitch/
My first attempt is here:
http://summersofindia.blogspot.in/2012/05/crossed-buttonhole-stitch-1.html
Ms Sharma
http://summersofindia.blogspot.in/
Hi Sharon,
I have posted this week’s stitch here on my blog-
http://jizee6687.wordpress.com/category/tast-2012/18-crossed-buttonhole-stitch2/
Thank you,
Chitra
It was a nice stitch for a rainbow….
http://6stem5.canalblog.com
It is not exactly a crossed buttonhole stitch with what I ende with. The result is interesting though.
http://threads-and-patches.blogspot.com/2012/05/tast-week-18-crossed-buttonhole.html
My sample is posted here:
http://karrinscrazyworld.blogspot.com/
May 4, 2012
Nice stitch. I tried first time cross buttonhole stitch
http://nalinihandwork.blogspot.com/2012/05/tast-week 18
Reply
My rows of crossed buttonhole stitches are here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stitchinwoman/6995258272/in/photostream
very interesting stitch!
http://alovchany.blogspot.com/2012/05/18-tast-tast-week-18.html
My work on the Crossed Buttonhole this week: http://debbiesfiberwork.blogspot.com/2012/05/tast-week-18.html
First time crossed buttonhole stitch for me… and I have made a little fish!
http://stitchinfingers.ning.com/photo/tast-2012-crossed-buttonhole-stitch?context=user
Here is my attempt on week 18 buttonhole stitch crossed: http://fabricfusion.blogspot.com/2012/05/tast-18-buttonhole-crossed-stitch.html
Happy Stitching!
Claudia
Sharon
Here is my post for this week’s challenge. Happy that I have learned a new stich this week.
http://shamiatcraft.blogspot.in/2012/05/tast-2012-week-18-crossed-buttonhole.html
Hi everyone, I have chosed ‘feathers’ to demonstrate the use of this stitch this week. There is also a work in progress
http://stitchesandlife.blogspot.com.au/
Hi Sharon & Friends, my first post for the week 18. Have a nice stitches!
http://www.embroiderland.blogspot.com
http://christinaroland.blogspot.com/2012/05/tast-week-18.html Due to lovely weather my efforts aren’t quite right. But a very nice and usable stitch this one.
Originally I tried to do the stitch on fabric. I found it easier to do on Aida cloth so the stitches looked a bit more uniform. The sampler is integrated into my embroidery journal. More information and pictures are here:
http://harvestmoonbyhand.blogspot.com/2012/05/take-stitch-tuesday-crossed-buttonhole.html
My sample is on my blog
http://linsartyblobs.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/tast-18-and-molly-drawing.html
Thanks Sharon for continuing to host and instruct this! I appreciate learning the new stitches. This stitch was definitely new to me and I had a bit of a hard time ‘getting’ it. You can see my humble attempt at http://princessbubblescreates.blogspot.ca/
I really enjoyed doing this stitch. You can see what I have done here:
http://cantheleopardchangeherspots.blogspot.com/
Thanks.
Hi Ladies and Gentlemen, here is my weekly sample
http://j-en-revais.blogspot.com/2012/05/tast-18.html
Thank you for the visit.
I’ve posted my stitches on my blog http://focus-on-fiber.blogspot.com
And this is the link to stitchinfingers..
http://stitchinfingers.ning.com/photo/crossedbuttonhole-stitch?context=user
HI,
This is my sampler of crossed buttonhole stitch
http://sadalas.blogspot.in/2012/05/tast-2012-week-18-crossed-buttonhole.html
Geez this is getting to be a pain, the link is:- http://www.stitchinfingers.ning.com/profile/NicolaThomson
As the link isnt showing up in my comment I have no idea if its working…none at all 🙁
My sample may be found at the above link
I found this stitch cute for crazy quilt flower seams.
See mine http://irispatchwork.blogspot.com.br/2012/05/tast-week-18.html
Iris
Hi Sharon,
my earlier crossed buttonhole stitch sampler details are here-http://jizee6687.wordpress.com/category/tast-2012/18-crossed-buttonhole-stitch2/
thank you,
Chitra
Here’s my weekly post with old samples:
http://fat-quarter.blogspot.com/2012/05/old-crossed-buttonhole-stitches.html