Glossary of Stitching Terms
Acid-free mounting board -- refer to 'mounting board' for an explanation.
Aida -- Aida is possibly the most commonly used fabric in cross stitch. It is an even weave fabric that is available in a number of counts (holes per inch), the most popular of which are 14 and 18.
Aida band -- Aida bands are commonly seen near to the edges of towels, tea towels, bread covers, place mats and napkins and are perfect for cross stitching thematic designs i.e. to fit in with the bathroom or kitchen décor.
Anchor -- this is the name of a major floss (thread) manufacturer.
Assisi -- Assisi work is a type of embroidery in which the main motif is left blank and the background is filled with cross stitch. The technique goes back to the 13th century. However, today there are a number of more up-to-date forms of the craft.
B
Backstitch -- backstitch is one of the basic stitches used in all embroidery techniques. It requires the stitcher to produce a continuous line of overlapping stitches, usually as an outline to a design.
Batting -- refer to 'Wadding' for more details.
Beads -- beads can be used to add texture and sparkle to a block of cross stitches. They are just one of a number of embellishments that are commonly used to add uniqueness to a design.
Binca -- binca is a type of evenweave fabric and is very similar to Aida cloth. It has a very low fabric count (6 to 8 holes per inch typically) and so is perfect for people with impaired eyesight, children and beginners of the craft.
Blackwork -- blackwork is a type of cross stitch in which black thread is stitched onto white or cream fabric, normally linen. Backstitch, cross stitch and running stitch are the three most common types of stitch used for this technique, which incidentally is perfect for geometric designs.
Blending Floss -- occasionally a cross stitch design calls for two different colored flosses to be used in the same stitches i.e. in shaded areas that require more subtle colors. This technique is also known as tweeding.
C
Chart -- a chart is a grid on which the pattern to be stitched is printed. Each symbol or color on the chart relates to a specific type of floss which is to be used for the corresponding stitches on the fabric. Charts are also known as patterns, graphs and designs.
Color key -- the color key is the list of symbols and associated colors that is found on every cross stitch chart. Most color keys have three bits of information for each color; the symbol used on the chart, the color number (found on the paper tube around the skein of floss) and the name of the actual color.
Couching -- couching is a technique used in some advanced cross stitch charts. It involves laying a fibre on top of the material you are using and tacking it down with numerous small stitches. The stitching floss can be the same color as the main fibre or a contrasting color depending on the look you want to achieve. This is a great way to create curves and circles in a design.
Count -- the count of a fabric refers to the number of threads or holes in one inch (linear). Aida, a popular fabric for cross stitch is available in a number of counts however 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 are the most commonly used. Similarly, evenweave is normally bought with 24, 26, 27, 28, 30 or 32 threads or holes in each inch of fabric.
Counted cross stitch -- counted cross stitch is a specific form of cross stitch in which the fabric is plain and the stitches are placed according to a chart, or graph. The chart is a grid, each square of which represents a square of fabric and a certain colored square on the chart corresponds to a stitch of the same color. The stitcher is required to count stitches in order to recreate the design perfectly.
Cross stitch -- cross stitch is a very popular form of embroidery in which all of the stitches are based on the simple diagonal cross, much like an X. There are a number of variations to the basic stitch that can be used to provide texture and shading to a design.
D
Daylight bulb -- normal light bulbs are often to dim for the detail of cross stitch and the eyes quickly become tired and strained. A daylight bulb however can help to keep the eyes alert and the design looking clear and they only cost slightly more than a standard bulb.
DMC -- this is the name of possibly the biggest floss manufacturer in the business. They produce hundreds of shades of floss specifically for many of the big pattern designers. Each of their flosses has a unique color-code number so that you can purchase exactly the right shade recommended on a chart.
Double cross stitch -- the double cross stitch has the stitcher making an X to begin and then stitching a + over the top so that the end result is a star motif. These are very pretty stitches, especially when metallic threads are used and stars in the night sky are produced.
E
Embellished cross stitch -- this type of cross stitch is a kind of 'short-hand' version of normal cross stitch where much of the background is pre-printed meaning that you only have to stitch the main features of the design.
Embellishments -- there are a number of embellishments you can add to a cross stitch pattern in order to add a bit of excitement. Sequins, beads and metallic threads can all help to make a design unique.
Embroidery hoop -- an embroidery hoop is actually composed of two separate hoops, one inside the other. It can be used to hold fabric taut while you are cross stitching by trapping the fabric in between the two hoops and tightening the outer hoop so that it hugs the inner hoop. It is advisable to remove the hoop when not stitching as it can leave a ring-mark on the fabric and stretch it out of shape.
Evenweave -- evenweave is a smooth fabric with a single thread between each hole. When cross stitching on evenweave it is common to stitch in every other hole however for detailed sections of a design, such as hands and faces, then every hole is used.