Common Cross Stitch Symbols & What They Mean

Cross stitch patterns feature a variety of numbers, letters, colors, and symbols that represent different types of stitches. At first glance, it can feel overwhelming.

Most of the time, a pattern will include a legend that provides guidance on the colors to use and the specific stitches required by the design. However, sometimes the stitches aren’t noted, which can be very confusing for beginners.

This article provides an overview of some of the more common ways cross stitches and their variations may be represented. This list does not encompass every possible way a pattern may denote these stitches. However, it will serve as a jumping-off point for you to understand them better the next time you’re navigating a pattern!

Common Cross Stitch Symbols

Full Cross Stitch

A symbol, letter, number, or block of color that fills in a square may represent a full cross stitch. Depending on the chart, there may be a figure in the center of the square, the square may be filled with color, or both may be present.

1/4 Stitch

Symbols, letters, numbers, or solid blocks of color may note 1/4 stitches, but instead of filling in the entire square, they will be in one corner or quadrant of the square. Wherever this figure sits within the square is where you would make the stitch.

Diagonal 1/2 Stitch

A half stitch, when it is intended to be made at a diagonal, is usually represented by a diagonal line across one square, but this can vary pattern to pattern.

If noted, stitch the 1/2 stitch in whichever direction the diagonal line is facing.

If the stitch is marked differently, there will usually be a key indicating that it is a half stitch.

Vertical and Horizontal 1/2 Stitches

While they aren’t as common, there are times when you’ll stitch a half stitch vertically or horizontally. For these, you’ll most often see a rectangular shape that spans half of the square.

These half stitches are executed slightly differently from a diagonal half stitch. You can think of them as a narrower full cross stitch that only spans half of the square.

3/4 Stitch

In a cross stitch chart, 3/4 stitches usually have a color and/or symbol that fills in half of the square in a triangular shape. This symbol can be confusing at first because when you think about it, half of the square is filled in, not 3/4. But the symbol is literally showing you the shape the stitch will make!

French Knots

Small dots usually represent French knots. Similar to 1/4 stitches, the dot may appear in one particular quadrant of a square, or sometimes it can be in the dead center of one.

Back Stitches

A solid line typically represents backstitches. These should be stitched along the fabric as closely as possible to how they are noted in the chart, but there may be times when the stitches won’t completely align with the grid of the fabric.

Learn more about planning out how to make back stitches in this cross stitch back stitch tutorial.

And there you have it, some of the most common symbols you’ll encounter! Once you break everything down, cross stitch patterns aren’t that scary after all.

Want to keep learning? You may have a fun time learning about keeping your cross stitch projects neat, or read about some helpful tips for larger cross stitch projects.