Cross-stitch Glossary A-Z: all the terms you need to know
TL;DR: Embroidery language has a lot of jargon that confuses beginners. This glossary explains every term — from Aida (the fabric) to frogging (removing stitches) to tapestry needle (the right needle). Bookmark this page for quick reference.
A
Aida — Woven cotton fabric with regular openings for cross-stitch. Indicated by count (11ct, 14ct, etc.).
Aida count — Number of squares per inch. Higher = finer fabric. 11ct, 14ct, 16ct, 18ct are standard. Fully explained.
Anchor — Fastening in the back of the thread, prevents the thread from coming loose.
B
Backstitch — See backstitch.
Bobbin — Plastic or cardboard card around which DMC thread is wound for storage.
Embroidery hoop — Circular frame that keeps Aida taut while embroidering.
C
Cross stitch — The basic technique: two crossed diagonal stitches form one "X".
Center — The middle of the pattern, usually marked with arrows. The starting point for many embroidery projects.
Confetti — Patterns with many color changes per square. Stressful hobby!
D
DMC — French brand name for embroidery thread, the global standard.
Strand — One of the six threads in a DMC bundle. For 14ct, you work with 2 strands.
E
Evenweave — Woven fabric with equal vertical and horizontal threads. Between Aida and linen in terms of fineness.
F
Floss — English term for embroidery thread.
Frame — Stand with clamps that holds Aida tighter than a hoop.
Frogging — Slang for removing stitches ("rip-it, rip-it" like a frog). Frogging explained.
G
Yarn — Sometimes confusingly used; in cross-stitch context = embroidery floss = stickgarn = DMC thread.
Gridding — Method where you draw a grid pattern over your Aida for easier counting.
H
Half cross-stitch — Only one diagonal stitch. For softer backgrounds.
Hoop — English for embroidery hoop.
Holbein-stitch — Double backstitch where the front and back look the same.
I
Framing — Placing the finished embroidery in a frame.
L
Legend — The table that links pattern symbols to DMC numbers and color names.
Linen — Natural fabric for evenweave/high count cross-stitch.
M
Magnifier — Tool for fine Aida count.
N
Needle (tapestry needle) — Blunt needle for cross-stitch. Gr. 22 for 11ct, gr. 24 for 14ct. Complete needle guide.
P
Parking — Method where you leave multiple needles in the work at the same time for different colors.
Pattern — Printed or digital grid with symbols indicating each stitch.
PDF pattern — Digital pattern format. Printing explained.
Q
Quarter stitch — One-fourth stitch in a square, especially for curves.
R
Railroading — Technique where you lay 2 threads side by side for tighter cross-stitches.
Backstitch — Straight line over completed cross-stitches for outlines. Learning backstitch.
S
Scissors — Small sharp scissors for cutting thread.
Skein — The original DMC bundle of 6 threads together.
Splitting — Separating the 6-strand bundle into 1-3 strands for your Aida count.
T
Tapestry needle — See needle.
Counted pattern — Pattern on a grid where each square is a stitch. Standard cross-stitch format. Counted pattern explained.
U
UV-glass — Special glass for frames that prevents color fading due to sunlight. Important for heirloom work.
V
Pre-printed (no-count / stamped) — Aida with the pattern printed on it. No counting needed. Pre-printed explained.
W
WIP (Work In Progress) — Project you are working on. Often tagged with #WIP on Instagram.
X
X — The shape of one complete cross-stitch.
Z
Zigzag — A row of cross-stitches that move diagonally.
Ready to put the terms into practice?
Complete starter kit with everything you need to start today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between cross-stitch and embroidery?
Cross-stitch is a form of embroidery — specifically: counted work on Aida with X-shaped stitches. Embroidery is broader and also includes satin stitch, French knot, etc.
What is a counted pattern?
A pattern on a grid where each square is a stitch and symbols indicate which color. Detailed explanation.
What does ct mean in 14ct Aida?
"Count" = number of squares per inch. 14ct = 14 squares per inch, so 14 cross-stitches per inch.
What is DMC?
French brand name for embroidery thread, global standard. 500+ colors available.
What does WIP mean in cross-stitch context?
Work In Progress — a project you are still working on.
Conclusion
Embroidery language is not complicated once you know a few core terms: Aida (fabric), DMC (thread), tapestry needle, counted pattern, cross-stitch, backstitch, frogging. Bookmark this page and come back whenever you encounter a term.