Chinese Cross Stitch
Chinese Cross Stitch is a simple to make, yet decorative stitch from the Cross Stitch family. To make this ornamental stitch, you will start with a horizontal straight stitch and then add two parallel stitches that cross the horizontal one.
Traditionally, the vertical stitches are 2/3 of the length of the horizontal stitch. This way, each crossing of the stitch produces a small Upright Cross Stitch. In my sampler, I set the stitch length to 1,5 cm, and the vertical stitches are 1 cm tall.
The thickness of the thread and the stitch sizing will greatly influence the final result. I embroidered my sampler with pearl cotton thread that did not provide good coverage. Embroidery floss or wool threads would provide better surface coverage and a fuzzier texture.
On the back side, Chinese Cross Stitch produces diagonal jumping threads.
Applications of the Chinese Cross Stitch
Chinese Cross Stitch is simple yet versatile. You can use it for geometrical borders, textural filling, or as detached decorative elements scattered across your embroidery.
Besides that, you can use this ornamental stitch to create border designs, combining it with small decorative stitches like Detached Chain Stitch or French knots.
Even if the traditional proportions are rather strict, you can play around with the length of the stitches to create original designs.
More stitches from the Cross Stitch family
Learn how to embroider Chinese Cross Stitch
Follow the step-by-step tutorial with detailed photos below, and you will learn the Chinese 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 Chinese Cross Stitch
Step-by-step hand embroidery tutorial
1. Mark the guiding lines. Start with a straight horizontal stitch.
2. Add the first vertical stitch. It should be 2/3 of the horizontal stitch in length and positioned at 1/3 from the edge.
3. To finish a Chinese Cross Stitch, add one more parallel vertical stitch, positioned at the 2/3 mark.
4. You can make detached stitches, group them by 3, or embroider a decorative border with Chinese Cross Stitches, positioned on two parallel 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. Decorative stitches, techniques for filling and outlines, borders or mending – all in one place!
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Need More Guidance?
The top 10 hand embroidery stitches to learn is a free online course created for beginners.
