Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 32: Chinese Cross Stitch

Today we are having a Geography lesson. We are visiting China to learn the Chinese Cross Stitch.

Unfortunately I have not found any information regarding its name, nor its origin, and the only book I have found it in is in Mary Thomas's Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches.

I wonder why, as it is an easy, fun and most attractive stitch with its pleasant geometric pattern. Any information you might have, I'd be happy to hear about.

Work it like this:

Now you have one individual stitch.

To make a nice row, come out in the lower leg of the right cross,

 and start all over again.

Then start over from the upper leg.

 It is quick work, and you will soon have a nice geometric pattern,

or make individual stitches in alternating lines.

It would be fun and easy to change the length and height of the 'arms' and 'legs', and create free form patterns.

Also the little squares created at the intersections could be filled with French Knots, Cross Stitch or beads.

On the Aida sampler I made individual stitches:

Homework:

1) Add a row of Chinese Cross Stitches:

2) Play with free form: