Embroidery vs. Cross Stitch – What’s the Difference?

Embroidery vs Cross Stitch

What’s the difference between embroidery and cross stitch? This question is a common one. There are so many types of needlecraft that it can get confusing. In this article, I’ll share some defining characteristics of both to help you understand how they differ.

Cross Stitch

Cross stitch is a form of embroidery called counted needlework. Instead of working along the surface of the fabric, it’s mostly made through the holes in between the intersections of the thread that makes up the fabric.

Cross stitch is usually worked on even weave fabrics such as Aida, which is stiff and has visible holes and threads, or linen, which has a tighter, finer weave. These fabrics are like graph paper in fabric form, allowing you to count and perfectly position each of your stitches.

Stranded cotton embroidery thread is ideal for cross stitch. Two of the strands are normally used, which gives this style of needlework a very flat and neat finish.

Stitches

The cross stitch, half stitch, and back stitch are some of the stitches that are used. The most common one, the cross stitch, forms a little “x” on each square of the fabric.

Patterns

A pattern shows you how many “squares” or cross stitches for each color. Patterns usually come as charted designs or hot iron transfers.

Charted designs are best used in conjunction with a visible grid fabric, like Aida. The design doesn’t need to be transferred to the fabric because the threads of the fabric can be counted and stitched corresponding to the chart.

Hot iron transfers can be placed directly on solid, tightly woven fabric. (You see this kind of transfer on many vintage pillowcases, tea towels, and linens.)

Appearance

Unlike hand embroidery, which usually has a bit more dimension and texture, the stitches generally lay flat onto the fabric. You don’t really blend colors when cross-stitching. Instead, thread is sometimes combined, or similar shades of colors are used beside one another to create a color gradient.

Sound interesting? I made a beginner cross stitch tutorial if you want to give it a try!

Embroidery

Embroidery is a more general term for any embellishment stitched onto fabric. However, when people use the term hand embroidery, they are usually referring to the kind of needlework that is stitched on top of the fabric in a free form fashion (aka surface embroidery).

Patterns

This kind of embroidery can follow a pattern; however, it doesn’t rely on counting stitches to complete the design. The most common way to complete an embroidery is to transfer the design to fabric and use various stitches to fill it in.

Embroidery Stitches

There are hundreds of different stitches and knots. Some common stitches include the back stitch, satin stitch, French knot, and the chain stitch.

You can use as little or as many stitch variations as you want for surface embroidery.

Techniques and Appearance

Surface embroidery can appear to be more dimensional and textured than cross stitch. For example, stitches like the herringbone stitch, cast-on stitch, and pinwheel rose are more three-dimensional.

Each stitch has a unique look. Many stitches can resemble flowers and leaves, and some have a rope or chain-like appearance.

Blending colors is easier to accomplish with hand embroidery. A series of long and short stitches helps to blend the colors together, and when done well, it can be very realistic-looking.

If you’d like to read about more forms of embroidery, I share more in this article: Types of Embroidery. I also have a Beginner’s Guide to Hand Embroidery that you can check out.

Everything You Need To Learn Embroidery In One Place

Any new skill can leave you feeling overwhelmed with where to start and let’s face it: your time is limited.

I created this guide with you in mind!

It has everything in it that you need to know to get started stitching. Comes with tips, material recommendations, and 6 fun projects that will build your confidence and allow you to not just learn the art of embroidery but have something to show for it!

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Is embroidery harder than cross stitch?

These two needle crafts are challenging in different ways, and I wouldn’t say that one is necessarily harder than the other.

Surface embroidery offers hundreds of different stitches you can learn to use. Some are very beautiful but rather complicated. However, don’t let this intimidate you! There are a lot of stitches that are very easy to learn. You don’t have to know very many stitches to make an embroidery.

Cross stitch patterns can be more complicated to plan out if you want to stitch a detailed image. However, you can choose from plenty of premade designs, so you don’t have to make the pattern/chart from scratch.

Cross stitching can take much longer than some styles of surface embroidery because you cannot quickly cover as much surface area. (This greatly depends on the type of embroidery you are doing, though.)

The great news is that there are only a select few stitches you’ll need to learn to get started. A lot of people enjoy cross stitching because it can be very meditative.

FAQs

Conclusion

Well, I hope this clarifies things regarding embroidery and cross stitch. They’re both fun and rewarding to learn. Give both a try and see which one you like the best!

Amanda

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.