How to Stitch a Square Boss Stitch

The Square Boss Stitch is a simple stitch that's a good level for needlework beginners. The stitch consists of a large diagonal cross with smaller crosses at each corner. The Square Boss Stitch looks similar to the Rice Stitch, but with the small stitches overtop the big cross moved farther from the center of the stitch. The stitch also produces an interesting pattern when done in rows or blocks.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Canvas or other open weave fabric for cross stitching
• A needle
• Embroidery floss or thread

1. Tie a knot in one end of your thread and pull the threaded needle through the fabric from back to front.

2. Imagine a square in which you are bring the thread from the bottom left corner to the top right corner and pass the needle through the fabric from front to back.

3. Bring the needle back out of the fabric at the bottom right corner of the imagined square, crossing over the first stitch. Bring the needle back through the fabric from front to back at the top left corner.

4. Stitch a tiny stitch over the leg at the top left corner of the square. Bring the needle out from back to front about 1/4 of the distance from the top left corner to the bottom left corner of the square. Cross over the existing stitch and pull the needle through the fabric from front to back at a spot about 1/4 of the distance from the top left corner to the top right.

5. Repeat the tiny stitch on the top right corner of the square, bringing the stitch out on the top side of the square and going back through the fabric on the right side of the square.

6. Repeat the tiny stitch on the bottom right corner of the square. Bring the thread out on the right side of the square and pull it back through the fabric on the bottom side.

7. Complete the final tiny stich going from the bottom side of the square to the left side of the square.

8. Either secure your thread or embroidery floss to finish or continue stitching a row of boss stitches.

9. Stitch quick and easy rows of square boss stitch with 2 different colors for the big crosses and the tiny stitches by doing the crosses first. Then go back and do all of the tiny stitches in a different color.

Resources

• View a picture of the Square Box Stitch and others at Cross Country Stitching.