Ellen Jackson

Cross stitch has been embedded in our cultures for many, many years; its history and origins can be traced back beyond the mid 1600's. The earliest known cross stitch creation currently displayed is a piece of linen with silk embroidery which is displayed in Pilgrim Hall and was created by Loara Standish, the daughter of Captain Myles Standish, circa 1653.  Cross stitch is one of the oldest forms of stitching and has been a popular and beloved hobby for men and women, boys and girls through out the years.

You can find cross stitch proudly and beautifully displayed all over the world.  These displays are seen in all different areas of the world, though some you may not notice them immediately, and range from designs on clothing to hangings in museums. Some of the many exciting and interesting places cross stitch can be found are in Celtic designs which date back to around 500 BC.  These patterns are usually quite difficult and enjoy a free flowing nature in their many curved and linear patterns.

Cross stitch and embroidery has also been found in the ancient Egyptian tombs as well as decorating ancient Maori costumes found in New Zealand.  Not only was cross stitch found in many exotic and exciting places through out history it also has changed hands.  Western society assumes and believes cross stitch to be a woman's hobby when in fact it was originally a man's work.  Men spent many long hard hours mastering the craft.

Cross stitch is its own beautiful type of needlework but its roots evolved from older needlework and embroidery styles.  The art of cross stitch has carried itself through the years and is now one of the most popular forms of needlework practiced from the very young to the very old.   When cross stitch first started gaining popularity it was in designs and patterns that featured geometric shapes and floral depictions, folk art was an artistic category where cross stitch simply flourished.

Printed patterns can be found dated back as early as 1525, but the real Golden Age of cross stitching didn't begin until 1804 when a Berlin print salesman by the name of Phillipson began mass production of blocked and colored patterns.  This led to the development of the same mass production by many other entrepreneurs and by 1840 over 14,000 designs and patterns were being sold each year. 

In 1851 the invention of the sewing machine and its ability to do fast and precise stitching led to a decrease in the popularity of all types of needlework. Counted cross stitch regained its popularity in the 1960's and 1970's when many housewives were finding themselves with leisure time to enjoy.  It is regaining popularity again in the new millennium, as the number of young cross stitchers, ages 18 to 25, has grown exponentially in the last few years.  Not only has the number of young cross stitchers grown, but once they are hooked on the hobby more than 50% return to continue stitching after their first pattern.

While cross stitch has been closely related to embroidery and needlework through out the years there are recognizable differences.  Cross stitch often uses fabric with holes or squares previously punched onto the fabric where embroidery does not.  The most popular type of cross stitching fabric is Aida fabric, which comes with the holes woven into the fabric itself.

Embroidery is done freehand and the fabric does not come with holes in it, while needlework is similar to cross stitch in that the fabric comes with pre-made holes in it but needlework usually covers the entire fabric with stitching, where as cross stitching usually only highlights a design on the fabric.   These small facts have remained constant through out the years and will continue to define the reasons cross stitch is so popular.  It is simply a challenging and beautiful hobby that can be enjoyed by many, as we can see time has tested this already.