How To Make A Three-Quarter Cross Stitch
The three-quarter cross stitch is a stitch you will frequently see in intermediate to advanced patterns. It allows you to add in finer details, and it’s not hard to make once you learn the basics. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to stitch one on Aida or linen fabric and what they typically look like mapped out on a cross-stitch chart.
Three-Quarter Cross Stitch at a Glance
The 3/4 cross stitch is exactly what it sounds like: it’s a 1/4 stitch and a half stitch combined. On a cross stitch pattern, this stitch typically resembles a triangle. It can contain a solid color, a symbol, or both.
Three-Quarter Stitch On Aida
The easiest way I have found to make this stitch is by first making the 1/4 stitch, then making the half stitch.
To make the 1/4 stitch, come up through the hole along the corner of the square and back down through the center of the square.
Come back up through the hole along the opposite edge of the thread block.
Then make a half stitch that runs perpendicular to the 1/4 stitch.
And here is what it looks like when it is complete.
There may be times when you have to make the 1/4 stitch after you make the half stitch, such as when there are 2 three quarter stitches that touch one another. To avoid snagging the half stitch, carefully place the needle underneath the half stitch and through the fabric.
This stitch variation can be executed in 4 different directions. Pictured above are all of the possible variations with the symbol you will usually see for each one.
Three-Quarter Stitch On Linen
Using linen makes it much easier to achieve a pretty stitch. Instead of having to split the thread block in the middle of a square of Aida, you can simply go down in between the threads when you’re using linen.
Make a 1/4 stitch, spanning across one thread.
Then make a half stitch that runs perpendicular to the 1/4 stitch and spans across two threads.
Methods For Using 2 Colors
Sometimes, these 3/4 stitches can butt up against one another, so the square will be filled in with 2 different colors.
When there are two 3/4 stitches that are up against one another (usually represented by two triangles in a single square), there are two general approaches people will make. There isn’t a hard and fast rule for this; it’s mostly a matter of preference among stitchers.
The first is to make a 1/4 stitch with one of the colors, then a 3/4 stitch with the second color.
The other approach is to create what is sometimes referred to as a double 3/4 stitch, which means that each stitch is made as a 3/4 stitch, resulting in two half stitches that slightly overlap one another. This method creates a fuller, more balanced stitch in terms of color division.
Now that you’ve reached the end of this tutorial, you should feel pretty confident the next time you need to make some of these stitches in a cross stitch design!
Want to keep learning more? Check out this tutorial to learn about all of the common cross stitch symbols.
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.
