Cross-stitch is a form of sewing and a popular form of counted-thread
embroidery in which X-shaped stitches in a tiled, raster-like pattern
are used to form a picture. The stitcher counts the threads on a piece
of evenweave fabric (such as linen) in each direction so that the
stitches are of uniform size and appearance. This form of cross-stitch
is also called counted cross-stitch in order to distinguish it from
other forms of cross-stitch. Sometimes cross-stitch is done on designs
printed on the fabric (stamped cross-stitch); the stitcher simply
stitches over the printed pattern. Cross-stitch is often executed on
easily countable fabric called aida cloth whose weave creates a plainly
visible grid of squares with holes for the needle at each corner.
Fabrics used in cross-stitch include linen, aida cloth, and
mixed-content fabrics called 'evenweave' such as jobelan. All
cross-stitch fabrics are technically "evenweave" as the term refers to
the fact that the fabric is woven to make sure that there are the same
number of threads per inch in both the warp and the weft (i.e.
vertically and horizontally). Fabrics are categorized by threads per
inch (referred to as 'count'), which can range from 11 to 40 count.
Counted cross-stitch projects are worked from a gridded pattern called a
chart and can be used on any count fabric; the count of the fabric and
the number of threads per stitch determine the size of the finished
stitching. For example, if a given design is stitched on a 28 count
cross-stitch fabric with each cross worked over two threads, the
finished stitching size is the same as it would be on a 14 count aida
fabric with each cross worked over one square. These methods are
referred to as "2 over 2" (2 embroidery threads used to stitch over 2
fabric threads) and "1 over 1" (1 embroidery thread used to stitch over
1 fabric thread or square), respectively. There are different methods of
stitching a pattern, including the cross-country method where one colour
is stitched at a time, or the parking method where one block of fabric
is stitched at a time and the end of the thread is "parked" at the next
point the same colour occurs in the pattern.