Cross stitch, Needlework and Embroidery Glossary: Eastern stitch to Eyelets

A comprehensive illustrated glossary of cross stitch, embroidery and needlecraft. Clear definitions and working diagrams. Includes over 700 terms used in cross stitch, embroidery, tapestry, blackwork, and goldwork.

Click thumbnails to enlarge.

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E

Eastern stitch

A counted thread stitch. Eastern stitch - click to enlarge

Working from left to right, work horizontal stitch across four threads, insert needle and bring it out diagonally back four threads below staring point. Form vertical stitch be inserting needle again at starting point and bring needle out four threads to the right and four threads down. Then take needle under vertical stitch, over, around and under horizontal stitch, over loop formed without entering fabric and then insert needle through the same hole as it was brought out and out four threads above to begin next stitch.


Edinburgh

An evenweave linen fabric 140 threads to 10 cms, 35 count

Eggs in a Basket

A counted thread stitch Eggs in a Basket - click to enlarge

The `basket' is formed by 4 horizontal stitches over 8,6,4,2 threads and there are 6 'eggs' to each basket , each worked over two threads of fabric. This looks best worked in two contrasting colours and is more easily worked with two needles. It can be scaled down to a smaller basket of 6,4 and 2 threads with three eggs in it.


Embroidery stitch

A free embroidery stitch used to shade large areas in silk and crewel embroidery . Embroidery stitch - click to enlarge

The first row of stitches are alternately long and short stitches and the following rows are stitches of an even length until the last row of the area where stitch length is varied to finish the filling. Embroidery stitch - click to enlarge
This can be used with fine shading colours. A version called surface long and short stitch is more economical with floss. Other names for this stitch are long and short stitch, shading stitch, tapestry shading stitch, plumage stitch, feather work and opus plumarium.

See also Crewel embroidery, Feather work, Long and short stitch, Opus plumarium, Plumage stitch, Shading stitch, Surface long and short stitch, Tapestry shading stitch

Embroidery/crewel needle

A needle with a longer eye than a standard sharps needle to suit stranded cotton but otherwise has the same dimensions.

Encroaching Oblique stitch

A counted thread stitch Encroaching Oblique stitch - click to enlarge

This is the interlocking or encroaching Gobelin turned on its side and makes a good background stitch. Work the first row from left to right and top to bottom following the numbering, the second row from right to left and bottom to top as shown. See also oblique stitch

See also Gobelin encroaching stitch, Interlocking Gobelin stitch, Oblique stitch

Encroaching Satin stitch

A free embroidery stitch used when the area is too large for a single satin stitch. Encroaching Satin stitch - click to enlarge

The second set of stitches is worked between the rows of the first to blend smoothly.

See also Satin stitch

English stitch

A counted thread stitch English stitch - click to enlarge

This is worked in blocks in either horizontal or vertical rows. Work five vertical straight stitches an then oversew each of the four corners with two diagonal straight stitches of different lengths as shown, The size of the blocks can be varied but must always be over an even number of threads.


Ermine stitch

A free embroidery spot filling stitch. Ermine stitch - click to enlarge

This is worked regularly and consists of a long vertical straight stitch crossed with an elongated cross stitch which is placed slightly above the base of the vertical stitch.

See also Cross stitch

Evenweave Fabric

Because the warp and weft threads are exactly the same evenweave fabrics are exactly on the square and are ideal for counted thread embroidery.

The thread counts range from 5 to 15 per cm, 12 to 38 per inch and a stitch is normally worked over two threads but very fine work can be executed over one thread.
14 count is 5.4 threads per cm
18 count is 6.85 threads per cm
19 count is 7.5 threads per cm
20 count is 8 threads per cm
21 count is 8.5 threads per cm
22 count is 8.7 threads per cm
23 count is 9 threads per cm
25 count is 10 threads per cm
27 count is 10.7 threads per cm
28 count is 11.2 threads per cm
32 count is 12.6 threads per cm
35 count is 14 threads per cm
40 count is 16 threads per cm
55 count is 22 threads per cm


Eye stitch

A counted thread stitch. Eye stitch - click to enlarge

This forms a square shape with all the stitches going through the central hole. By working the stitches in the order numbered in the diagram, (the even numbers are where the thread is stitched through the centre), thus making two trips round the centre, the final appearance is much neater than if every stitch is worked as you go round.
The stitch can easily be made larger or smaller over almost any even number of thread. See algerian eye or star eyelet stitch.
The pulled thread version of the eyelet stitch is worked in the same way but the thread is given a tug after working each stitch and when the two circuits have been completed, the central hole is enlarged. Also known as eye stitch. See also half eye stitch and diamond eyelet stitch.

See also Algerian eye stitch, Diamond eyelet stitch, Eye stitch, Half eye stitch, Star eyelet stitch

Eyelet hole

A stitch used in cutwork. Eyelet hole - click to enlarge

Draw circle on fabric. Work running stitches around it and cut out centre. Then overcast all around circle over running stitches.

See also Cutwork

Eyelets

A counted thread stitch. Eyelets - click to enlarge

This forms a square shape with all the stitches going through the central hole. By working the stitches in the order numbered in the diagram, (the even numbers are where the thread is stitched through the centre), thus making two trips round the centre, the final appearance is much neater than if every stitch is worked as you go round.
The stitch can easily be made larger or smaller over almost any even number of thread. See algerian eye or star eyelet stitch.
The pulled thread version of the eyelet stitch is worked in the same way but the thread is given a tug after working each stitch and when the two circuits have been completed, the central hole is enlarged. Also known as eye stitch. See also half eye stitch and diamond eyelet stitch.

See also Algerian eye stitch, Diamond eyelet stitch, Eye stitch, Half eye stitch, Star eyelet stitch

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