17 Cross Stitch Types For Beginner| Beyond The Basic X-Stitch

I thought cross stitch was just making little Xs on fabric. Simple, right? But the more I stitched, the more I realized—there’s so much more to it.

One day, I found a raised cross stitch, which helped me add delicate details. After that one, I dug in more and discovered more 17 cross stitch types. For example,

If you’re curious about leveling your cross stitch game. Let’s dive into some fun and creative stitch types.

17 Cross Stitch Types With Pictures

I was playing around with the cross stitch thread calculator, and that’s when I learned there are 17 types of cross stitch. Which are,

Up close, you’ll see individual Xs. But from a distance, they merge to create a cohesive image, almost like pixel art. If you are wondering how to end this stitch, then Cross stitch pin stitch finish method is used.

It adds depth and structure to the design. It’s often used for decorative elements in embroidery, such as floral centers, borders, or textured patterns that need a bit of a 3D effect.

Where can you use it? Well,

The stitch is commonly used to add depth and dimension to cross-stitch patterns. It works beautifully for outlining or framing designs, giving an elegant, slightly three-dimensional effect.

Often used for embellishing hems, edges, and borders with a stylish, textured finish. The open structure is ideal for delicate designs, lace-inspired work, and cutwork embroidery.

Chained Cross Stitch is a decorative embroidery stitch that merges the elements of cross stitch and chain stitch. It consists of looped cross stitches using chaining, creating a raised, textured effect. The result is a beautifully linked, interwoven pattern that adds depth and dimension to the fabric.

Crossed Feather Stitch is a va

riation of the traditional feather stitch, where each diagonal stitch overlaps to create a crisscross effect. This stitch has a flowing, organic look with an airy, decorative structure.

The crossed nature of the stitches gives it a slightly more intricate and textured appearance compared to the basic feather stitch.

It is Ideal for framing embroidery pieces, garments, and home textiles. Works well in nature-inspired embroidery, mimicking delicate branches or vines.

Chinese Cross Stitch is instead of forming a simple “X” shape. The stitches often involve looping or intertwining the threads. It gives them a slightly raised or textured effect.

Often seen in,

1. Chinese-inspired embroidery patterns add elegance to textile art.
2. A decorative border stitch creates a unique frame for embroidery pieces.
3. Embellishing garments, linens, and accessories with a more intricate, handcrafted look.

Chinese Cross Stitch adds a touch of sophistication to embroidery. It makes the perfect choice for creating detailed and visually appealing patterns.

Crossed Rice Stitch is x stitch with a thread cover. It starts with a basic cross stitch. Then additional diagonal stitches are worked over it, forming a raised, intricate design. 

A fun fact about this stitch is,

It creates a more textured and prominent effect. This layered design gives the stitch a raised appearance.

Many stitchers use it for ornamental accents, monograms, or to highlight specific elements in a pattern. The Double Cross Stitch is perfect for those looking to enhance their cross-stitch projects with extra detail and dimension while maintaining the classic X-shaped structure.

Still, instead of leaving it as a simple “X,” additional diagonal stitches are layered over it, forming a more complex and decorative pattern.

Alternating Cross Stitch is where the placement of stitches alternates in a staggered or offset pattern rather than aligning in a straight row. This creates a more dynamic and visually interesting effect.

This stitch is commonly used for borders, background textures, and decorative elements in embroidery and cross-stitch projects. It adds movement and depth to patterns.

Three-quarter cross Stitch is a mix of a quarter stitch and a half stitch. It creates a shape that covers three-fourths of a square on Aida fabric. The longer diagonal stitch can slant in either direction, while the shorter stitch sits in one corner of the square. 

Half Cross Stitch is a simple diagonal stitch that slants from one corner of the square to the opposite corner, covering only half of the space a full cross stitch would.

If you want a lighter, less dense look in your cross-stitch project, the Half Cross Stitch is a great go-to.

Quarter Cross Stitch is the smallest cross-stitch, covering just 1 quarter of a square of fabric. It’s perfect for adding tiny details, softening edges, and creating intricate designs that require precision.

If you’ve ever worked on a highly detailed pattern with curves or fine shading, chances are you’ve used Quarter Cross Stitch to get that polished, refined look.

Mini Cross-Stitch is a smaller version of the traditional full cross stitch, occupying just a quarter of the usual stitch space. Instead of covering the entire square on Aida fabric, it creates a tiny “X” within one section.

The Upright Cross Stitch stands out with its distinct plus-sign (+) shape, created by a vertical and a horizontal stitch intersecting at the center. Unlike the traditional cross stitch that forms an “X,” this stitch has a structured, symmetrical look.

An elongated cross stitch is an arm that stretches longer in one direction. It is vertically or horizontally. This creates a more dynamic, decorative effect, often used for texture, shading, or filling larger areas without making the design too dense.

Cross Stitch Types In Videos

If you feel confused about any of the types, then watch this video describing all the types.

Create Your Own Counted Cross Stitch Pattern

If all those different cross stitch types excite you, why not try it on some pattern? What? Don’t know how you can do that? Ok, let me show you,

4. Draw a grid on graph paper. Each square equals one stitch.
5. Color in the squares to match my design with different thread colors.
6. Give a symbol for each thread color.

And that’s it! Now, you can stitch on this pattern and bring it out to life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Outro

So, yeah, that’s all of the cross stitch types. Each of them has its own unique way of standing on your cross stitch versus embroidery project. So, which one is your favorite so far?