Cross Stitch Pin Stitch: An Invisible Way To Start Threads!
If you’ve been around in the cross stitch universe for a while, you may have heard people talk about how important it is to keep the back of your work neat. While some of this is a stitcher’s preference, there is a good reason for keeping it tidy on the back, outside of aesthetics: it will prevent knots and tangles while you’re stitching, and your stitches will lie more nicely overall.
While there are plenty of ways to start threads that work just fine (such as the loop start), the cross stitch pin stitch is another excellent technique that anchors your thread and is virtually invisible.
How To Do A Cross Stitch Pin Stitch
To begin the pin stitch, start in an area you intend to cover with stitches.
Place the thread down through the fabric so there is about an inch of a tail along the surface of the fabric. (On Aida, it’s easiest to go down through the center of the thread block.)
Come up directly below the tail of the thread, in line with the bottom of the thread block where the 2 holes are.
This next step is essential: place the needle down through the tail of the thread.
Then come up at the top of the thread block directly above the tail of the thread.
Place the needle down through the tail of the thread again. These two stitches through the tail should make the end of the thread extra secure.
Now you should have what looks like two little back stitches and a tail. Give the thread a tug to make sure it’s secure.
Trim the tail. It’s totally fine if there is a small amount of tail left, and that’s okay because you will cover this up with a cross stitch.
Then you can cross stitch right over top of the pin stitch! There may be a tiny little bit of fuzz where the tail is, but it’s almost inconceivable at a distance.
I’m always looking for ways to improve my needlework, and if you’re reading this post, you seem to care about this too. I think you’ll find this article helpful, all about how to keep your cross stitch looking neat.
Amanda is a hand embroidery teacher and artist. With over 15 years of experience in the craft industry and embroidery, she owns and runs Crewel Ghoul, sharing accessible tutorials and patterns to help inspire fellow crafters to get creative. In addition to running this website, she teaches on Skillshare and Youtube.
