How to Stitch a Herringbone Cross-Stitch

A herringbone cross-stitch is a variation of a long-armed cross-stitch. With this stitch, each of the arms is identical in length but they do not cross in the center of the stitch. This stitch is often used to create decorative borders and to add some stitching variation in crazy quilts.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Aida fabric
• Embroidery hoop
• Tapestry needle
• Embroidery floss
• Scissors

1. Prepare for stitching by securing the Aida fabric into a small embroidery hoop and threading a tapestry needle with 1 or 2 strands of 12- to 16-inch long embroidery floss.

2. Tie a small knot at the end of the embroidery thread to secure the floss.

3. Come up through the Aida fabric in the bottom left corner of your center square to begin the herringbone cross-stitch.

4. Bring the floss diagonally, up and to the right, across 2 squares. Insert the needle into the upper right corner of the second square.

5. Come up through the Aida fabric in the upper left corner of the second square.

6. Lengthen the floss diagonally, down and to the right, across two squares and insert the needle into the right corner of the second square.

7. Start the second herringbone stitch by bringing the embroidery thread up through the lower left corner of the square you have just stitched.

Tips & Warnings

• To find the center of your Aida fabric, count the small squares and divide by 2.
• A herringbone cross-stitch is also called a plaited or catch stitch.
• See related eHow articles for instructions on how to stitch the basic cross-stitch.