Cross stitch is another major type of stitches used in embroidery digitizing services. The cross stitch is divided into various categories, including half-, quarter-, and full-cross stitches.

Are you confused with the cross stitch types?

In this blog, we will learn about the cross stitch types in embroidery digitizing.

Table of Contents:

Cross Stitch Types in Embroidery Digitizing

A matrix of squares, or "pixels," is used to make cross stitches. The square parts can be stitched in any direction from the diagonals to the edges. Here is a list of the entire range.

Cross Stitch Fills

Cross stitch fills in embroidery digitizing refers to a technique where cross-stitches are used to fill a specific area of a design.

When digitizing cross-stitch fills, the digitizer maps out the area to be filled and determines the stitch density, stitch length, and thread color for the cross-stitch fill.

The embroidery digitizing software translates this information into a series of commands that guide the embroidery machine to stitch the cross-stitches in the designated area.

Cross-stitch fills can be used to add visual interest, texture, and dimension to machine embroidery designs. They are commonly used in various applications, including decorative borders, backgrounds, and intricate details in designs such as floral motifs, patterns, or lettering.

By adjusting the stitch density and thread color, embroidery digitizers can achieve different effects and create unique looks with cross stitch fills.

You can select from any cross stitch fill kinds when using cross stitch as a fill.

  • Full Cross Stitch

Two stitches of equal length are used to make a full cross stitch, which crosses in the middle to form an X. Which stitch within the X is below or above another stitch determines the total outcome. For added effects, you can mix different effects.

  • Three-Quarter Cross Stitch

A quarter stitch followed by a half stitch is used to make a three-quarter stitch. A new effect is created by stitching the half stitch first and securing it with the quarter stitch. The three-quarter stitch's long arm can point in either a left or right direction.

Frequently, a square will contain a quarter stitch and a three-quarter stitch in two colors. Change up their places to produce various effects.

  • Half Cross Stitch

Simply stated, a half stitch is a diagonal stitch that resembles / or /. Half cross stitch types are frequently used for background shading and shadowing. Start the stitch from any corner. Two half-stitches in various colors may sometimes be used to create a full cross stitch.

Depending on the effect you want, half-stitches can be made either way. As an illustration, half stitches used to depict feathers would slant the same way as the actual feathers.

  • Quarter Cross Stitch

Quarter stitches are used to stitch more complex designs. Quarter cross stitch types used in embroidery digitizing where the stitches are formed by diagonal half stitches, creating a finer and more delicate appearance than traditional full cross stitches.

  • Mini Cross Stitch

Mini cross stitches are two stitches of identical length crossed in the middle to make an X, but they only cover one-fourth of the square. Use micro cross stitch for small details like eyes or to give your image a denser look in certain areas.

  • Upright Cross Stitch:

Vertical and horizontal stitches make up upright cross stitches. The canvas can be stitched across diagonally, vertically, or horizontally. This cross stitch embroidery is commonly used to create slender, vertical lines or outlines in embroidery designs, adding a unique visual element and variation to the overall design.

  • Double Cross Stitch

A double cross stitch is made up of two full cross stitches that are positioned 45 degrees apart. For example, a star is reminiscent of a double cross stitch. Generally it is used randomly or worked into a row to create beautiful borders.

Generally, the stitch 135 degrees off the horizontal is the top thread of the bottom cross, while the stitch 135 degrees off the horizontal is the top thread of the overlapping cross.

  • Elongated Cross Stitch

Two equal-length threads create an X in an elongated cross stitch. Elongated horizontal cross stitch and elongated vertical cross stitch are the two varieties. Compared to regular cross stitches, elongated horizontal cross stitches are only half as tall and elongated vertical cross stitches are only half as wide.

  • French Knots

French knots were first used as a hand stitch to give embellishments a raised appearance. They were historically employed in "whitework" using pricey cotton and delicate silk threads. Other cross stitch types can be combined with French knots.

Use them instead of beads in hand-work designs, such as decorations for Christmas trees or dots for letters like "i," or as eyes, door knobs, flower pistils, or dots. Use them as a border for an outline. Try using vibrant metallic or variegated threads with them. Larger grids are ideal for sewing French knots.

Cross Stitch Borders

An embroidery outline can be created using a cross stitch. You can also combine various stitches kinds with cross stitches to create unique effects. For example, single Line or Full Cross stitches, or a mix of the two for a denser border, can be used to create outlines.

Embroidery digitizing software treats a Full Cross outline as a fill while treating a Single Line outline as a border. This is important if you need to remove a border because you can delete a single line as a single object but not a complete cross stitch border.

Single Line for Border

Only borders and fine details are embroidered with single lines. Any side of the square can be used for the single line. To place the line, click the desired side. A single line border can be added to one or all four edges of the square. Before adding the single line border, you can stitch a cross stitch into a square.

Full Cross Border

Full cross borders in embroidery digitizing refer to the meticulous process of creating intricate, continuous borders using the cross stitch technique. This involves digitizing each cross stitch meticulously to ensure precise alignment and seamless transitions, resulting in stunning and detailed embroidered borders that enhance the overall design.

A full cross border stitch can also be created with full crosses. The border stitch type chosen in the list of fill stitch types will be the full cross. This can be altered by altering the fill stitch type.

Cross Stitch Variations

Cross stitch variations in embroidery digitizing refer to different techniques used to create diverse effects and textures within the cross stitch pattern. This can include variations in stitch direction, density, color blending, and incorporating additional elements like beads or metallic threads.
These variations add depth and visual interest to the digitized design, enhancing its appeal. Fractional cross stitches can be oriented in different ways to produce various patterns. You can do this manually by choosing a fill stitch orientation or going pixel-by-pixel.
Additionally, there are numerous methods to mix fractional cross-stitching.

Three-Quarter Cross Stitches

Quarter and three-quarter cross stitch types are used to create rounded edges.

Half Cross Stitches

You can use half-cross stitch types are used to give things an ‘airy’ appearance. You can also alternatively use half-cross stitches to create a full cross stitch with two colors.

Mini Cross Stitches

You can use mini cross stitch for small details like eyes or to give your image a denser look in certain areas.

Elongated Cross Stitches

Two threads of equal length cross each other to make an X in vertical and horizontal elongated cross stitches. They either fill the top, bottom, left, or right sides of the square.

Combination Stitches:

To create crosses with several colors, quarter, half, and three-quarter cross stitches can be combined. Mini crosses, extended vertical or horizontal crosses, and outline stitches can also be incorporated.

Conclusion

Cross-stitch types offer various creative possibilities for traditional and contemporary machine embroidery projects. From the simplicity of basic cross stitches to the intricate beauty of specialty stitches, embroiderers can experiment with different digitizing techniques to bring their designs to life.