The Beauty of Cross Stitch

Cross stitch is a specialized form of embroidery where the design is made up of stitches that look like little ‘x’s. If you cross a row of diagonal stitches in one direction with a second row of diagonal stitches in the opposite slanting direction, you get a cross stitch. It is one of the oldest forms of embroidery which can be found all over the world. Traditionally, cross stitches have been used to embellish dishcloths, household linens etc and now-a-days it is becoming gradually popular to embroider fabrics of different sizes and shapes to hang them on the wall for decoration.

There are various versions of the cross stitch and each type gives different looks and beauty.
Here are some of them-
• Alternating cross stitch: A row is skipped to give the cross an elongated look.
• Back stitch: Ensures that the pattern can be used from both sides of the fabric.
• The Rugged Brazilian cross stitch: Two rows intersect to make the embroidery design more stable.
• Knitting stitch: It bears a unique resemblance to the regular knitting. Here the stitches are crossed in such a manner that the whole design looks well knit. This type of stitch is also called tapestry stitch.
• The Mexican cross stitch: Consists of multiple diagonal rows that move parallel to each other. These are complemented with multiple rows in the opposite direction. They meet at their respective centers to form diamond designs which also ensure the stability of the pattern.

History says that needlecraft was most used by the religious and the royals. It was a symbol of social status. Cross-stitch portraits were used on the walls, which used to bring timeless class and elegance not only to the portraits but to the entire home as well. The class and elegance arises from the carefully considered details. Every detail is painstakingly stitched to perfection to give the real image. Every color and every feature is very carefully considered that gives the portrait the personal touch.

In modern days people seem to be less interested about cross stitch. Once, they used to decorate the cushions, coverlets, and handkerchiefs with cross stitch. Now, with the technological advancement, everything has become fast and efficient. But, can that be compared with the touch of elegance and uniqueness that is brought by the labor that is put into a cross stitched piece from the love of the art?


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