A floral cross-stitch piece in progress, held mid-stitch

A field guide to counted-thread embroidery

Counted & Crossed

A field guide to cross-stitch, from medieval samplers to sweary modern kits. From medieval linen and Victorian parlour samplers to sweary modern kits and gallery fiber art - the full arc of the craft, in one place.

Start with the history → Learn to read a pattern

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Hi, I'm Aubree - I built Counted & Crossed as the reference site I wished existed when I got serious about this craft: one place that takes the whole arc seriously, from medieval linen work to gallery fiber art to gloriously sweary modern kits. More about why, here.

Explore the site

Seven pillars, beginnings to modern: the history behind the craft, every stitch and technique, the traditional sampler forms that started it all, the subversive styles that reinvented it, the materials that make it work, and the guides and tools that keep a project moving.

A butterfly motif being stitched in gold thread

History & Origins

Where counted-thread embroidery comes from.

 A leaf stitched in a hoop, surrounded by floss and scissors

Techniques & Stitch Types

Every stitch, explained and diagrammed.

 A stitched cottage landscape sampler

Traditional Samplers

Band samplers, alphabets, and Berlin woolwork.

 Small colorful modern cross-stitch motifs of a cat, fox, and bird

Modern & Subversive Styles

Sweary samplers, fandom art, and fiber art.

 Rows of colorful embroidery floss spools

Materials & Fabrics Guide

Aida counts, floss brands, needles, and hoops.

 A floss color key next to a piece of stitching in progress

Reference & How-To Guides

Reading charts, fixing mistakes, finishing work.

 A needle mid-stitch on a piece of red cross-stitch work

Tools & Calculators

Fabric sizing, floss conversion, and time estimates.