Now that you know what cross-stitch is, it’s time to learn how to speak the cross-stitch lingo. Going through these essential cross-stitch terms will help you understand what each of them means and make you feel more confident when approaching new cross-stitch projects.
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Cross-Stitch Terms You Need to Know
Today we’ll be talking about UFOs, FFOs, SAL, and HAED. Confused? No worries, so was I. Cross-stitch terms might sound like a different language at first. To make life easier, I’ve created a helpful list of as many cross-stitch terms and acronyms as I could find.
For your quick reference, you can also download the A-Z Cross Stitch Terms Guide for free and keep it close in your craft room. The free PDF guide is ordered alphabetically and ready to print.
Fabric Terms in Cross-Stitch
AIDA
The most popular cross-stitch fabric, even-weave, usually 100% cotton. The most popular counts are 14 and 16, especially among beginners.
AIDA BAND
A strip of Aida fabric with an ornamental border. Ideal for bookmarks, cake decorations, towel edging, or other projects.
BINCA
A similar fabric to Aida, but much firmer and available only in 6 count. Ideal for children to learn how to stitch.
LUGANA
An evenweave fabric from Zweigart that comes in 28 count.
DMC MAGIC GUIDE AIDA
An Aida fabric from DMC that is marked with a red grid. The grid will wash easily away when you are done with your embroidery. Ideal for beginners and large stitching projects.
EVENWEAVE
Another great fabric for cross stitch with a higher thread count than Aida. It’s commonly found in 25, 28, and 32 counts.
FABRIC COUNT
Measures fabric density. In cross-stitch, it refers to the number of cross stitches per 1inch (2.5cm). The higher the fabric’s count (number of cross stitches per inch), the smaller the stitches and therefore your design.
FRAY CHECK
A special glue that stops fabric from fraying at the edges.
GRIDDING
A technique that consists of marking squares of 10 stitches onto the fabric to help the stitcher with counting and sizing. Usually used on large cross-stitch projects.
LINEN
A natural fiber made from flax, similar to evenweave fabric. Complete beginners might find it more difficult to cross-stitch on.
MURANO
An evenweave fabric from Zweigart that comes in 32 count.
PLASTIC CANVAS
Perforated plastic molded into square holes. Used as a foundation for creating 3D decorative objects.
STAMPED
Refers to cross-stitch patterns or kits with the pattern already printed onto the fabric.
SOLUBLE CANVAS
A type of fabric used to cross-stitch on clothes that dissolves in warm water when done stitching.
WASTE CANVAS
A type of fabric used to cross-stitch on clothes, but instead of dissolving it when done, you pull the threads out.
WARP
The horizontal set of threads in a fabric.
WEFT
The vertical set of threads in a fabric.
Needle and Thread Cross-Stitch Terms
NEEDLE EYE
The small hole at the top of a needle where you thread the floss through.
NEEDLE THREADER
A small tool used to easily put the thread through the eye of a needle.
BEADING NEEDLE
A needle more flexible than regular cross-stitch needles used for beaded embroidery projects.
TAPESTRY NEEDLE
A needle with a large eye and a blunt round point designed for tapestry and cross-stitch projects. You’ll find them referred to as cross-stitch needles.
CROSS-STITCH NEEDLE
Another name for the tapestry needle.
THREAD CONDITIONER/BEESWAX
An alternative thread surfacing material used to prevent fraying and tangling while you’re working on your cross-stitch projects.
NEEDLE MINDER
A small magnetic accessory designed to help prevent your needles from getting lost. The decorative side goes on top of the fabric, while the magnet goes on the back.
FLOSS
Floss is the mercerized embroidery thread composed of 6 individual threads or plies.
SKEIN
Skein is a bundle of 8 meters of floss wound up into an oblong shape.
PLY
Another name for the individual strands of floss. If a cross-stitch project calls for 2 plies, that would mean the same as 2 strands (from all 6).
MOULINÉ ÉTOILE
A DMC embroidery thread featuring a twinkle effect that will add a delicate shimmer and sparkle to your project.
LIGHT EFFECTS
A DMC embroidery thread featuring a metallic effect. These threads are a bit trickier to stitch with than the regular stranded cotton threads.
PERLÉ
A non-divisible embroidery thread, which means you use it right off the skein without separating it.
VARIEGATED
An embroidery thread that has a shade-shifting effect that creates delicately tonal patterns without ever having to change the thread. Great for achieving the hombre effect.
VARIATIONS
A DMC embroidery thread line of variegated floss.
TWEEDING/BLENDING
Using two (or more) colors of thread in the needle at the same time to blend the colors together when stitching.
BOBBIN
A plastic or paper shape you can wind your thread on and easily organize and store your threads.
BOBBIN BOX
A box used to store and keep your bobbins tidy.
Cross-Stitch Stitches and Techniques Terms
WHOLE CROSS-STITCH
The main stitch used in cross-stitch, is a full x-stitch.
HALF CROSS-STITCH
A diagonal stitch (half of the cross-stitch) and is usually worked in horizontal rows.
QUARTER STITCH
A fractional stitch (1/4) which is half of a Half Stitch. It can be worked from any side of the square and ends up touching one point of the square.
THREE-QUARTER STITCH
A fractional stitch (3/4) that is a combination of a Quarter Stitch and a Half Stitch. This stitch takes up half the square. Usually, you’ll be stitching first the Quarter Stitch, then the Half Stitch.
BACKSTITCH
A line of stitches used to define a motif or add details to a cross-stitch project.
1 OVER 1
A standard cross stitch worked over one grid square of your fabric, no matter the fabric type.
2 OVER 2
A cross stitch that is worked over two holes or grid squares of your fabric. Usually, you’ll be stitching over two when working on fabrics with a high thread count (linen or evenweave fabric).
LOOP/KNOTLESS METHOD
A method of starting and ending your cross stitch where you fold 1 strand of thread in half and use the loop to secure your thread.
WASTE KNOT METHOD
Another method of starting and securing your thread. Once you threaded your needle you tie a knot at the end and start from slightly away from where your actual design will be. As you begin cross-stitching, make sure that you catch the thread under your new stitches. Once secured, cut off the knot on the front side of your fabric.
PETIT POINT/TENT STITCH
A needlepoint stitch that is usually worked diagonally (at a 45-degree) over an intersection of one horizontal and one vertical fabric thread. The number of stitches on 1 inch is very small, allowing you to create tapestry-like embroideries.
FRENCH KNOT
A knotty stitch worked by wrapping the thread around the needle. Similar to the french knot in classic embroidery, it is used to add texture to your work.
COLONIAL KNOT
A similar stitch to the french knot, the colonial knot is slightly bigger and fuller.
ENGLISH CROSS-STITCH
Stitching one cross-stitch at a time. Ideal when you have small areas with multiple colors to fill.
DANISH CROSS-STITCH
Stitching half cross-stitches all the way down the row (/ / / / / /) and then go back across the row to finish your crosses(\ \ \ \ \ \). Ideal for big blocks of the same color.
RAILROAD STITCHING
A technique to force your thread to lay flat so that your stitches look flat and even.
CONFETTI STITCHES
Lonely cross stitches scattered around your design, surrounded by a lot of blank areas.
CROSS COUNTRY STITCHING
A technique of stitching a pattern where one color is stitched at a time.
BASTING STITCHES
In cross-stitch, these are loose stitches used to temporarily hold together two pieces of fabric (eg. keep in place the waste canvas until you stitch on it). When done cross-stitching, these basting stitches can be easily removed.
SAMPLER
A piece of cross-stitch produced to record samples of stitches or patterns. In cross-stitch, these can include alphabets, motifs, decorative borders, and the name of the stitcher.
MOTIF
A smaller element in a much larger cross-stitch pattern. An example is a singular flower in a sampler.
CROSS-STITCH CHART/PATTERN
The traditional type of cross-stitch pattern that tells you everything you need to know about where to stitch and what color to use. Usually contains the actual chart (bw/color), the color key, information about alternative project sizes, and other instructional details.
SYMBOL
A small icon in a cross-stitch chart, that represents a color of embroidery floss you have to use for that corresponding square on the fabric.
COLOR KEY
This is a legend in a cross-stitch chart that lists what symbol matches which thread color. It also contains information about the thread brand used, and sometimes how much thread of each color you’ll need.
PDF PATTERN
A digital file type that downloadable patterns come in. You can open it without any additional software on your phone/tablet/computer or you can print it and start stitching right away.
SEAM ALLOWANCE
The distance between the outside edge of a fabric and the stitching line.
Cross-Stitch Tools and Supplies Terms
APERTURE CARD
A card with a cut-out window you can use to mount your cross-stitch work.
COLOR CARD
A handy reference card that shows samples of thread. It can be printed with thread colors or display samples of real thread.
EMBROIDERY HOOP
A tool used to keep the fabric taut while working on cross-stitch projects.
FRAME
A tool used to keep the fabric taut while working on cross-stitch projects. These frames are larger than an embroidery hoop.
EMBROIDERY SCISSORS
Small, sharp, and pointy kinds of scissors used to cut threads.
FLOOR STAND
A strong and sturdy stand that holds your work in place and allows you to stitch using both hands.
LAP STAND
A small stand that allows you to clamp your own hoop into the stand, slip the base under your leg to hold it steady, and start stitching using both hands.
Q-SNAP
A cross-stitch frame made out of plastic tubes that keeps your fabric taut while working on cross-stitch projects. Q-Snaps usually have better tension than hoops and scroll frames.
SEAM RIPPER
A seam ripper is a small sewing tool used for cutting and removing stitches.
SCROLL FRAME
A wooden frame used to keep the fabric taut while working on cross-stitch projects. As its name suggests, you can scroll through a large piece of fabric without the need to keep changing its position.
STORK SCISSORS
Stork bird-shaped embroidery scissors.
STASH
A stitcher’s supply of materials, charts, scissors, and other materials.
TABLE CLAMP
A small clamp you can attach to a work table that is holding your embroidery frame in place for stitching.
TABLE STAND
A small wooden stand you place on a work table that is holding your embroidery frame in place for stitching.
Brands
ANCHOR
High-quality thread manufacturer with 250 years of tradition.
DMC
High-quality thread manufacturer with 270+ years of tradition.
BOHIN
Needle and pins manufacturer operating in France since the 1830s.
ELBESEE
High-quality embroidery hoops and stands manufacturer.
FISKARS
Scissors and shears manufacturer.
JOHN JAMES
British needle manufacturer with a history dating back to the very start of needle manufacture in the UK.
JOBELAN
A popular brand of evenweave fabric.
MILWARD
English manufacturer of sewing needles.
SIESTA
Manufacturer of embroidery frames, stands, and hoops.
THREAD HEAVEN
A thread conditioner that prevents thread fraying and tangling. No longer in production.
ZWEIGART
Fabric manufacturer specialized in developing fabrics for over 145 years.
Cross-Stitch Acronyms
BAP
Big Awesome Project – An epic or unusual project.
CT
Refers to the fabric’s count.
FAD
Fun and Done
FO
Finished Object – A cross-stitch pattern that has been stitched, but not entirely finished for display.
FFO
Fully Finished Object – Similar to an FO, a cross-stitch pattern that has been stitched and framed.
FS
Forgotten Stash
HAED
Heaven And Earth Designs – A brand of cross-stitch patterns.
HPI
Holes per inch
LNS
Local Needlework Store – This is a reference to your local needlecraft store.
ORT
Other Random Threads – These refer to the leftover scraps of thread that remain when you are done stitching, usually collected in ORT Jars.
RAK
Random Act of Kindness – Sometimes cross-stitchers give away all sorts of cross-stitch goodies. Keep an eye on blogs, forums, and Flosstubes!
SAL
Stitch-A-Long – An event where a group of stitchers all make the same pattern over a period of time.
UFO
Unfinished Object – An unfinished cross-stitch project that you got tired of, or just can’t get motivated to finish.
WIP
Work In Progress – An ongoing unfinished cross-stitch project.
WIP Wednesday
A popular hashtag (#) used on Instagram when sharing your current project every Wednesday.
Remember to subscribe and download your free A-Z Cross Stitch Terms & Acronyms printable guide.
More Cross-Stitch Articles You’ll Love
- What is Cross-Stitch? Everything You Need to Know
- Cross Stitch Needles Size Guide
- How to Read a Cross Stitch Chart
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