How to Stitch a Long-Armed Smyrna Cross Stitch

The long-armed Smyrna cross-stitch is a variation of a double cross-stitch, also called a Smyrna. It is completed by stitching a traditional cross-stitch and adding a small "+" over the center of the cross-stitch. It is different than the Smyrna cross-stitch because the + in the center is smaller.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

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

1. Prepare for your first cross-stitch by securing the Aida fabric into a small embroidery hoop and threading a 12-inch length of 1 to 2 strands of embroidery floss into a tapestry needle.

2. Secure a small knot at the end of the thread to secure your first stitch.

3. Come up through the lower left corner with your threaded needle and bring the floss across to the upper right corner, inserting the needle into that upper right corner.

4. Bring the threaded needle up from the lower right corner and insert it into the upper left corner to complete your traditional cross-stitch.

5. Pull your threaded needle up through a point that is in between the top of the square and where the cross-stitch crosses. Make a hole with your tapestry needle.

6. Insert the needle through a point in the middle of the cross on your cross-stitch and the bottom of the square. Once again, you will need to make a hole with your tapestry needle.

7. Bring your needle up through a point between the left side of your square and the cross of the cross-stitch. Bring in back down at a point in between the cross of the cross-stitch and the middle of the right side of the square.

Tips & Warnings

• To find the center of Aida fabric, count the number of squares and divide by 2. Count in that many stitches and begin your first stitch.
• For a different look, change the color of embroidery floss you are using before beginning Step 5.