breien, haken, borduren, kralen - gratis patronen site -         Jessica Tromp         - free patterns site; knitting, crochet, embroidery, beads
def: Stitch ; A mode of arranging the threads in sewing, knitting or crocheting

CROSS-STITCH charts

Free cross stitch patterns, free stitching charts

Cross-stitch is one of the oldest forms of embroidery and can be found all over the world.
Many folk museums show examples of clothes decorated with cross-stitch, especially from continental Europe and Asia.
Two-dimensional (unshaded) cross-stitch in floral and geometric patterns, usually worked in black and red cotton floss
on linen, is characteristic of folk embroidery in Eastern and Central Europe.
In the United States, the earliest known cross-stitch sampler is currently housed at Pilgrim Hall in Plymouth,
Massachusetts. The sampler was created by Loara Standish, circa 1653.
Multicolored, shaded, painting-like patterns as we know them today are a recent development,
deriving from similar shaded patterns of Berlin wool work of the mid-nineteenth century.

The double cross-stitch, also known as a Leviathan stitch or Smyrna cross stitch, combines a cross-stitch with
an upright cross-stitch.
Berlin wool work and similar petit point stitchery resembles the heavily shaded, opulent styles of cross-stitch,
and sometimes also used charted patterns on paper.

free embroidery designs

Cross-stitch is often used together with other stitches. It is sometimes used in crewel embroidery,
especially in its more modern derivatives. It is also often used in needlepoint.

The most difficult task is choosing the proper shades of floss to embroider a certain project.
Usually the dealer from whom you purchase your embroidery floss will advise you, but when one lives in one of the
smaller towns, no store will be found which carries a good stock of embroidery materials, from which to make a
selection. In this case the best thing to do is; google for embroidery floss for on-line stores.

Choose a simple design to begin with, such as a Violet, a Buttercup, or a Daisy, and get a small size stamped linen,
not over nine inches square.
Cross-stitch can be worked from a chart or directly onto printed fabrics such as table cloths.
Cross-stitch is most commonly worked in embroidery floss.
The threads used for stitching may be wool, silk, cotton or combinations, such as wool-silk blend.
Variety fibers may also be used, such as metallic cord, metallic braid, ribbon, or raffia.
Cross-stitch is often combined with other popular forms of embroidery, such as Hardanger or Blackwork embroidery.

Tips;
Some people find it easier to control the tension of their thread with a hoop. Remove it, when you are not working.
I always use a wooded hoop but there are plastic ones too. Try to avoid marks in your fabric.
You can mark off the row on the chart with a highlighter or pencil as you finish the corresponding stitches.
Or put the chart on a metal board, and use a magnetic straight edge that can be moved along the chart as you
stitch, or use post-it notes.
Embroider with clean hands, don't use any hand-lotion, and don't eat while your are stitching.
If you have pencil marks, by any change on your fabric, you could try alcohol 90% to remove it with a cotton tip.
If you have to lay your work away, roll it instead of fold it.
I always use a daylight lamp, they are really great for stitching in the evening.
And last but not least; if you use beads, beading should be done after the cross stitching.

All kinds of embroidery cross stitch patterns

New patterns are added frequently, so check from time to time.

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; animals 1
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; animals 2

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; baby 1
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; baby 2

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; bags 

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; baskets small
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; baskets large

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; bath 

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; bears 1
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; bears 2
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; bears 3
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; bears 4
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; bears 5
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; bears 6
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; bears 7
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; bears 8
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; bears 9
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; bears 10
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; bears 11

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; bee's
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; bicycles & scooters

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; birdhouses & birdcages 
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; birds 1
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; birds 2
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; boats, and planes  

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; borders

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; butterfly's
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; cars, vans & tractors

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; castles

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; cats 1
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; cats 2 (with Siamese)
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; cats 3
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; cats 4
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; cats 5

counted cross stitch patterns designs; Celtic knots 1
counted cross stitch patterns designs; Celtic knots 2

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; children 1
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; children 2
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; children 3
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; children 4
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; children 5
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; children 6

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; clowns
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; cows
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; cupcakes & pastries

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; deer's

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; dogs 1
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; dogs 2
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; dogs 3
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; dogs 4

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; dolphins  
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; dragons fantasy

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; drinks & ice creams 

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; ducks & goose

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; elephants
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; elves & fantasy

counted cross stitch patterns designs; fantasy

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; fantasy figures 1
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; fantasy figures 2
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; fantasy figures 3
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; fantasy figures 4

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; fish  

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; flowers 1
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; flowers 2
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; flowers 3
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; flowers 4
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; flowers 5

counted cross stitch patterns designs; food

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; frogs
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; fruits
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; fruit strawberries 

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; fly's, dragonfly's & ladybirds

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; garden & ornaments
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; giraffes  
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; girls & dollz
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; girls & fantasy

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; Halloween & scarecrows  
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; Halloween pumpkins & ghosts

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; hamster

counted cross stitch patterns designs; hats

counted cross stitch patterns designs; hearts & gifts
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; hens & chickens
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; horses & ponies

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; houses  

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; ice & drinks
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; interior scenes  
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; furniture
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; kangaroos & hippos & worms a.o.

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; kids to learn

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; koala & panda bear 
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; knitting & sewing related

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; ladybirds, fly's & dragonfly's 

counted cross stitch patterns designs; magic & merlin

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; moon 1
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; moon 2

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; mushrooms
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; mouse

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; panda & koala bears 

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; penguins, swans

counted cross stitch patterns designs; pigs 

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; planes & boats  

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; plants 1
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; plants 2
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; plants 3

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; polar bear
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; rabbits 1
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; rabbits 2
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; rabbits 3

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; rocking horses

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; scooters & bicycles 

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; sea live & shells     

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; sharks & whales

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; sheep 

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; shoes & slippers   

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; snoopy

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; southpark

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; sports

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; strawberries 
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; squirrels

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; owls 

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; tea and coffee pots & teacups  1
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; tea and coffee pots & teacups  2

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; toys

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; tractors cars vans

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; trains  
counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; turtles

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; whales & sharks

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; window views

counted cross stitch patterns embroidery designs; none of the above