Long Armed Cross Stitch
Long Armed Cross Stitch is an asymmetrical variation of the Cross Stitch from the Cross Stitch family. The stitches slanting to the right are twice as long as those slanting to the left. This creates a woven look of the stitch.
This stitch is not symmetrical; therefore, the starting and finishing points need compensating stitches for a nice finish. Traditionally, the row starts and ends with a standard Cross Stitch.
Other names of the stitch
This hand embroidery technique dates back to the 10th-12th century and is used in traditional textiles of various cultures. Therefore, it has many alternative names like Persian cross stitch, Slav cross stitch, Plaited Slav stitch, Portuguese stitch, Twist stitch, Long-legged cross stitch, or Long-arm cross stitch.
Applications of the Long Armed Cross Stitch
This decorative embroidery stitch is a traditional filling technique used in canvas work, Assisi work, and other counted thread techniques.
Besides filling, you can use it for bold outlines or decorative borders.
Combining Long Armed Cross Stitch with detached decorative stitches like French Knots, Detached Chain Stitch, or Lazy Daisy Stitch will create an ornamental band. These decorative bands work great for embellishing garments or home textiles.
More stitches from the Cross Stitch family
Learn how to embroider Long Armed Cross Stitch
Follow the step-by-step tutorial with detailed photos below, and you will learn the Long Armed Cross Stitch quickly. If you are a visual learner, watch a video lesson in the tutorial or on the Practical Embroidery YouTube channel to learn this hand embroidery stitch faster.
How to embroider Long Armed Cross Stitch
Step-by-step hand embroidery tutorial
- First stitch
Before you start stitching, measure and mark the fabric. Traditionally, this stitch is made on counted thread fabric. Therefore, you will need a square grid to embroider this stitch. Take the needle on the lower left corner of the design and make a long diagonal stitch slanting to the right. The stitch should be 2 squares long.
- Second stitch
Take the needle up to the surface under the first stitch – 2 squares from the starting point.
- Cross stitch
Finish the first Long Armed Cross Stitch. Make a diagonal stitch to the left. This stitch is shorter – only 1 square long.
- Start the second cross stitch
Take the needle to the surface right under the previous diagonal stitch.
- Make a long diagonal stitch
This stitch is slanted to the right and is 2 squares long.
- Cross stitch
Finish the second Long Armed Cross Stitch. Make a short diagonal stitch to the left.
- Continue
Repeat 4-6 steps to fill the entire row.
- Finishing
Using this stitch for filling or decorative bands, you will need nice starting and finishing points. Add compensating stitches to make the edges look symmetrical. Make additional stitches as you (I marked them with red lines).
Video tutorial
Tools and materials I used for this sampler
Disclaimer. To cover the cost of creating free embroidery patterns and video tutorials for this blog, I do sometimes link to products. Please assume these links are affiliate links. If you choose to buy through my links then THANK YOU – it will make it possible for me to keep doing this.
What’s next?
If you’re in the mood to explore more hand embroidery stitches, check out the Stitches and Techniques page for the list of other fantastic stitches available on my blog. From timeless classics to modern twists, a whole world of stitches is waiting for you to explore and master. So, grab your hoop and needle, and let’s stitch our way to creative bliss!
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Need More Guidance?
The top 10 hand embroidery stitches to learn is a free online course created for beginners.
