What is Cross Stitching? Everything You Wanted to Know

It’s safe to say that cross-stitching is making a big comeback (and we couldn’t be happier about it!). What was once reserved only for our nans is now a modern trend among crafters and modern makers. 

If you’re wondering about the difference between cross stitching and embroidery, or you want to get straight to it and learn how to cross-stitch on your own, we suggest you start by reading this blog post first. It covers everything you ever wanted to know about cross-stitching. Trust us, you’ll be stitching like a pro in no time! So let’s start with the basics.

What is cross-stitching and what is it used for?

Cross stitching (also known as x-stitch) is a type of counted embroidery that uses little crosses or ‘x’s to create a tiled pattern or design. 

Cross stitching was traditionally used for decorating household items such as tablecloths, dishcloths, or table linens. Nowadays, this type of embroidery serves as framed art and wall decoration. Many people even take up cross-stitching as a hobby, for its relaxing and destressing powers. 

Cross stitching is considered to have many mental health benefits. It allows the brain to relax and focus while giving the body something to do. It’s a great both mental and physical exercise, often recommended for achieving mindfulness. Beyond the mental benefits, cross-stitching also helps develop creativity and self-discipline. 

“The rhythmic, repetitive moments necessary to knit, sew, or crochet are proven to have therapeutic benefits and improve mental health and emotional wellbeing, increasing serotonin production and inducing a natural state of mindfulness,” says Polly Leonard, founder of Selvedge magazine, for The Guardian.

Is cross stitching easier than embroidery?

Cross-stitching is considered to be the easiest form of hand embroidery. It’s much easier to learn how to cross-stitch than do other forms of embroidery, making it a good starting point for beginners at embroidery.

Although cross stitch is a form of embroidery, it’s much easier to get started with than regular embroidery. Cross stitch uses X-shaped stitches and follows a tiled design. On the other hand, embroidery is a broader term that includes many different forms of sewing decorative designs onto fabric.

How do you do cross stitch?

In cross stitching, you need to make series of diagonal stitches (/ and \) and overlap them to make crosses (X). To do cross-stitch, you should first get a cross-stitch kit, including fabric, a hoop, a thread, a needle, and detailed instructions. You can shop on Cross Club Co to get started with a simple kit. Also, check out our cross stitching guide for beginners to learn more about the process.

Are you ready to embrace the art of making designs out of little ‘x’s? Ready to learn how to cross-stitch? Drop us a message!