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Cross stitch is one of the most relaxing, simple hobbies to enjoy once you know what you're doing, but when you first delve into the world of cross stitch the lingo can be like a foreign language and a little confusing. You wouldn't be the first person to wonder... what is a needleminder? What does WIP stand for? What is the difference between counted and stamped cross stitch? And what is this dastardly frog I keep hearing about?!
So I thought I would bring together all the terms you often hear/read in cross stitch circles and explain each in a cross stitch glossary so you always have somewhere to turn to decode the cross stitch world.
I've included some technical terms, materials and tools, acronyms, manufacturers of the higher quality materials, and cross stitch adjacent terms that might crop up. I've also popped some useful links (eg to more detailed blogs) within each description either to more info or to where you can buy particular items.
So, here we go!
Aida
A type of fabric specifically designed for cross stitch with holes in even square formations of various sizes (see count) to allow you to neatly position each cross stitch.
Anchor
English manufacturer of embroidery threads. See HERE for their website.
Aperture card
A blank greeting card with a window (aperture) on the front to allow you to make cross stitch cards. See HERE to see how I make cross stitch cards.
Back stitch
A method of stitching pictured here often used on top of cross stitch to outline or give more detail. See HERE for our guide to back stitch.
Beading
The use of beads to give a project more detail, shine or a 3D effect.
Blackwork
A form of counted embroidery traditionally done using black thread (though other colours can be used) and using back stitch or similar to create geometric designs..
Blending
Using one strand each of two different colours while stitching to blend the colours together.
Bobbin
A small flat spool often made from card or plastic which you store embroidery thread on by winding the thread around the bobbin,
Bobbin box
A specially designed storage box used to organise and store bobbins of embroidery threads.
Bobbin winder
A tool you can use to speed up winding embroidery thread onto bobbins.
Chart
The gridded pattern you follow when stitching.
Colonial knot
A knot technique often used as an alternative to the French Knot. See HERE for a great instructional video.
Confetti stitches
Individual stitches within a pattern that are not next to other stitches of the same colour, for example the stars in the Souter Lighthouse Pattern.
Count
The number of stitches per inch that can be made using a particular gridded fabric (ie aida, evenweave or linen). For example, 11 count aida has 11 stitches per inch whereas 18 count aida has 18 stitches per inch, and 36 count evenweave has 36 stitches per inch.
Counted cross stitch
The category of kits that supply blank fabric and require the stitcher to count in order to position the stitches correctly according to the pattern. (The alternative to this would be printed/stamped cross stitch)
Cross country
Working with only one colour thread at a time 'jumping across' to other sections of that same colour even if they are not connected by the pattern. (The alternative method to this would be Parking)
Cross stitch
A form of needlecraft which involves the use of thread stitched on fabric to create pictures using a pattern of crosses (think pixel art with thread).
Crossstitcher
UK based cross stitch magazine. See HERE for more info.
Danish Method
A method of cross stitching where you complete all 'bottom halves' of cross stitches on a row before returning to complete the top halves. (The alternative to this would be the English Method - see HERE for a detailed comparison of the two)
DMC
French manufacturer of high quality embroidery threads. See HERE for their website.
Embroidery
A form of needlecraft which involves the use of thread stitched on fabric to create pictures using a variety of different stitch techniques.
Embroidery Hoop
A wooden, plastic or bamboo hoop which keeps your fabric taut while stitching. Some projects can be framed in hoops too.
Embroidery scissors
Small sharp scissors for neatly snipping the ends of embroidery threads. Also known as snips or stork scissors.
Embroidery thread
A yarn specifically designed for needlework and usually consisting of 6 strands wound together. Also known as floss.
English Method
A method of cross stitching where you complete each individual stitch fully before moving onto the next. (The alternative to this would be the Danish Method - see HERE for a detailed comparison of the two)
Evenweave
A type of fabric with evenly spaced 'holes' such as with aida, but in this case the holes are much closer together which means you can create much smaller full stiches and more easily do fractional stitches.
Eye (of the needle)
The hole at the end of your needle through which you put your thread. Cross Stitch needles often have larger eyes than sewing needles.
Fabric Clips
Magnetic clips that hold any excess fabric neatly aside while you're working on a different section of your project.
FFO
Fully finished object (ie framed)
Floss
Floss Drops
Small card/plastic tabs with two holes (one for thread, one for the ring to keep them together) which act as a storage option for embroidery threads currently being used for a WIP. (An alternative to this would be a threadholder)
Flosstube
Youtube videos by cross stitchers often discussing their projects.
FO
Finished object (ie stitched but not yet framed)
Fractional Stitches
A partial cross stitch used to create 'rounder', less pixelated designs. Fractional stitches include quarter stitches, half stitches and three quarter stitches.
French Knot
A knot of thread used to create texture or a small round element within a design (eg these ice creams in the Rendezvous Cafe pattern). See HERE for more detailed instructions on completing French Knots. (An alternative to this would be the colonial knot)
(The) Frog
The mythical creature who causes you to make mistakes that you have to undo.
Frogging
Ripping out stitches due to a mistake. (The name comes from the sound it makes as you pull the thread out)
Full Coverage
A cross stitch design that uses all available stitches with no gaps between the stitches and so no fabric visible on completion. You can see here the Tyne Bridge design is full coverage but the compass pattern is not.
Full Stitch
A single standard cross stitch.
Grime Guard
An elasticated fabric cover placed around an embroidery hoop to keep extra fabric out the way and protect your fabric from any dirt from your hands when holding your stitching.
HAED
Heaven And Earth Designs. A supplier of large intricate cross stitch patterns from a variety of designers. See their website HERE.
Hoop Butt
A wooden disc than can be pushed into the back of a finished embroidery hoop in order to neatly frame your project in it's hoop. The original hoop butt was created by Kate Blandford and can be found HERE.
John James
English manufacturer of needles.
Kit
Pack that includes all materials, tools and instructions to complete a project, such as our cross stitch kits.
Linen
Similar to evenweave but made of natural fibres so spacing between the holes (and therefore the size of the stitches) is not always even.
Loop Start
Method of starting with a new thread by 'catching' the loop on the backside of your work. See HERE for more detailed instructions for the loop start.
Lowery Stand
A commonly used stand to hold a needlework project while you work on it.
Magnifier
A commonly used tool to help when stitching on smaller count fabric. See HERE for more information on magnifiers.
Needle
Cross stitch needles are more blunt than normal sewing needles (to help prevent piercing the fabric between the holes) and have larger eyes. They come in a variety of sizes and the one you choose depends on the count of the fabric you're using.
Needlecraft
An umbrella term for any work done with a needle. (Also known as needlework)
Needle Minder
Magnetic 'pin' that sits on your fabric in order to hold your needle while you're not using it, such as our ice cream needleminder pictured.
Needlepoint
A form of needlecraft where a variety of embroidery stitch techniques are used on a stiff open weave canvas.
Needle Threader
A small tool that helps you thread a needle. See HERE for needlethreaders.
Needlework
See needlecraft.
Nurge
Turkish manufacturer of embroidery hoops. You can get Nurge hoops from The Geeky Stitching Company HERE.
One over one
Term used to explain that one full cross stitch should be completed over only one 'space' on the fabric.
One over two
Term used to explain that one cross stitch should be completed over 4 spaces (2x2) on the fabric.
ORT
Old Raggedy Threads - the little scraps of embroidery thread left over that are too short to be reused.
Parking
A method of stitching confetti stitches where you have multiple threads 'in use' but parked to the side of your fabric with needles on each and held out the way while you're using one in particular. You stitch each consecutive stitch swapping between colours rather than completing all stitches of the same colour as you would with the Cross Country method.
Pattern
This is the design displayed as a grid for you to follow. These are generally colour or black and white, but nearly always use symbols to tell the user which colour thread should be used for each stitch.
Pattern Keeper
An app that allows you to track progress on a project. For more info see HERE.
Printed Cross Stitch
Refers to kits that supply fabric with the pattern printed on it. Also known as stamped cross stitch and is an alternative to counted cross stitch.
Q Snap
A plastic frame with a similar function to an embroidery hoop.
Railroading
A method of cross stitch where you put the needle between the strands of thread you're stitching with. This creates a smoother finish.
SAL
Stitch-A-Long
Sampler
A design incorporating a variety of techniques and elements often including decorative borders, motifs and writing (eg a moto, poem, name and date, or alphabet). Historically used to showcase the stitcher's skills.
Skein
A loosely coiled length of embroidery thread.
Snips
See embroidery scissors.
Stamped cross stitch
See printed cross stitch.
Stash
Stitching Buddy
A pet who keeps you company while stitching.
Stork Scissors
A type of embroidery scissors.
Straight Stitch
A method of stitching often used on top of cross stitch to give more detail and definition. See HERE for our guide to straight stitch.
Strand
One of the six strands that make up an embroidery thread.
Tent Stitch
A tidier method of creating a row of half stitches. Instead of completing each stitch in the direction of travel, you complete them in the opposite direction.
Thread Gloss
A nice smelling beeswax product that helps keep threads smooth and tangle free. See HERE for some lovely options by independent UK creator Sew Luxe.
Threadholder
A piece of card/plastic with multiple holes in it to organise and store threads being used in your current WIP, such as that pictured. An alternative would be to use floss drops.
Waste Canvas
Water soluble canvas often used to cross stitch onto fabrics to provide the 'grid' required by cross stitch.
WIP
Work in Progress
WOCS
World Of Cross Stitching Magazine. See HERE for more info.
Zweigart
German Manufacturer of needlecraft fabrics. See HERE for their website.
I hope this has been useful and if you have any feedback or questions, please pop them in the comments below or send me a message here.
J xx
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