Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 371: Cross and Twist Stitch

Today we will start a new set of five stitches. The first one is a close relative to a stitch we learned nine years ago, in 2017 - the #43 Moss Stitch. Click on the link to see the instructions for it.

What we are learning today is the #371 Cross and Twist Stitch. The name tells you it is a crossed stitch. Printed instructions can be found in Mary Thomas's Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches.

The first part of both stitches is done in the same way - an individual cross. The cross is then given a third arm, which is tied into a knot in the middle, and here is where they differ; see the difference in a picture at the bottom of the post. Finally, the needle is taken to the back.

It sounds more complicated in written form than in pictures, so let's have a look at these photos:

Pull tight.

Anchor.

The completed Cross and Twist Stitch.

You can shorten (or lengthen) the third arm.

Mary Thomas also suggests that you work the 

third leg in a contrasting thread/colour/weight.

Here you can compare the #34 Moss Stitch and #371 Cross and Twist Stitch

Homework:

Play around with the Cross and Twist Stitch on the various samplers.