How to cross stitch over multiple threads?
Cross Stitching over multiple threads
Sometimes you read in a pattern: “Stitch over 2, or stitch over 3, over 4, etc. If you are new in the world of cross stitch, or if you always stitched on Aida cross stitch fabric, you might wonder what it means to stitch over 2. In this post we explain how you can stitch over 2 or more threads.
Commonly stitching over multiple threads is done on evenweave or linen fabrics. But you can apply this technique on Aida fabrics when you want to blow up our cross stitch designs. Not sure which fabric you want to use? Read our earlier blog about the difference between Aida and Evenweave or Linen fabrics.
How do you cross stitch over 2, 3 or 4?
Example: Stitching over 4 on Undyed Linen 32 Count with 3 strands of DMC color variations embroirdery floss ( DMC 4200)
How many strands of floss do you need to use when stitching over multiple threads?
When you change your fabric count, you might need to change the number of strands you use when making a cross stitch. The table indicates our preference, and is also the basis for calculating the amount of floss we include in our DIY kits. All indications are for regular DMC embroidery floss , which is sold in skeins of 6 strands. Cut a lenght of about 1 meter, and then you can easily seperate the strands.
We always recommend that you stitch a few test stitches to find your prefered combination. Some stitchers like their work to look very fine and use few strands of floss for their embroidery projects. Other stitchers like full and fluffy stitches that pop from their fabric and use more.
Example showing
- One strands of DMC 4200 embroidery floss stitched over two threads of Linen 32 Count fabric (the small one)
- Three strands of embroidery floss stitched over four threads of Linen 32 Count fabric (the bigger one)
Recommended number of strands to use per fabric count
| Fabric count | Stitched over 1 | Stitched over 2 | Stitched over 3 | Stitched over 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Count | 3 strands | 6 strands | crochet yarn | crochet yarn |
| 8 Count | 3 strands | strands | crochet yarn | crochet yarn |
| 11 Count | 2 strands | 4 strands | 6 strands | crochet yarn |
| 14 Count | 2 strands | 3 strands | 4 or 5 strands | 6 strands |
| 16 Count | 2 strands | 3 strands | 4 or 5 strands | 5 or 6 strands |
| 18 Count | 2 strands | 2 or 3 strands | 3 strands | 4 or 5 strands |
| 20 Count | 1 strand | 2 or 3 strands | 3 strands | 4 strands |
| 28 Count | 1 strand | 2 strands | 2 or 3 strands | 3 or 4 strands |
| 32 Count | 1 strand | 1 or 2 strands | 2 or 3 strands | 3 strands |
How much fabric do you need when stitching over 2?
What does it mean to stitch 2 over 2?
Stitching 2 over 2 means to stitch with 2 strands of embroidery floss over 2 threads in the fabric.
Simularly when a pattern says “stitch 3 over 2” it means to stitch with 3 strands of embroidery floss over 2 threads in the fabric.
Most of the times a pattern will also include a recommendation of fabric to use. If not provided, you can check the above table. There you will find our recommendation for the amount of strands used per type of fabric.
Example stitching 3 strands of DMC Mouline over 2 threads on Aida 16 Count
