Floss Field.
SearchSaved
All crafts

Crossed stitches · Beginner

Upright cross stitch

A vertical stitch crossed by a horizontal one, each over two threads. Rows nest between each other.

Upright cross stitch: the finished stitch on canvas, 30 stitches, some upright and some level, in two colors
The finished stitch on canvas. Every stitch runs from one hole to another; the two colors are only there to tell the stitches apart. In the steps, new stitches are red, and the numbers give the order: up at an odd number, down at the next even one.

How to work it

  1. Start with an upright stitch

    Upright cross stitch, step 1: the first stitch on the canvas. Numerals 1 and 2 mark its ends, in working order.

    Work an upright stitch over two threads.

  2. The crossing stitch

    Upright cross stitch, step 2: two stitches on the canvas, the one this step adds in red. Numerals 3 and 4 mark its ends, in working order.

    Cross it with a horizontal stitch over two threads.

  3. The next cross

    Upright cross stitch, step 3: four stitches on the canvas, the two this step adds in red.

    Work the next cross beside it, so that the arms of the two meet in one hole.

  4. Fill the gaps on the next row

    Upright cross stitch, step 4: twelve stitches on the canvas, the eight this step adds in red.

    On the next row, work crosses in the gaps, one thread lower.

At a glance

Also called
straight cross
Used for
textured fills; trees; small areas
Coverage
Full, nubby
Direction
Upright and level
Stitch length
Over 2 canvas threads

Upright cross is a small, raised stitch with an even, bumpy texture. It does not lead the eye in any direction, which makes it a useful filling stitch.

It is a small stitch, so it needs very little room to establish its pattern, and one teacher describes it as easy to compensate. Rows are offset, so the crosses fit tightly together. Named uses include evergreen trees, hair, a beard and fur trim, foliage and dirt.

One stitch reference gives St George cross stitch as another name.

Tips

  • Cross every stitch in the same order. The horizontal stitch goes on top.
  • Finish each cross before moving on to the next.

When it goes wrong

The stitch is bulky.
There are two layers of thread in every cross. Use fewer strands, or a lighter thread, than you would normally choose to cover the canvas.
Two areas run together.
Do not use upright cross for two shapes that touch, such as a beard and the fur trim beside it. Worked in the same stitch and thread they merge into one shape.

Variations

  • Double straight cross. A larger upright cross, over four threads, with a small diagonal cross on top.
  • Smyrna cross. The other way round: a diagonal cross with an upright cross on top.

Questions

I am left-handed. Where do I start?
One right-handed teacher starts at the right-hand side of the area and tells left-handed stitchers to start at the left and reverse the numbered order.

Where to go next

Stitches

Guides