INDIAN CROSS STITCH

STITCH OF THE MONTH - August 2016

The Indian Cross Stitch features elongated stitches that are then crossed creating a unique, open and airy stitch pattern. The garter stitch between the crossed stitches makes this a reversible stitch.

The elongated stitches can be a bit awkward to knit. Slip the stitches purlwise so that the stitches are on the needle sitting in the correct position to knit the stitch. Give a little tug once you've slipped the stitches when dropping the yarn over just to make sure that all the stitches are in the right order.

While this stitch works well for scarves and blankets, I would avoid using it for baby garments or baby blankets because their little fingers or toes can get caught in the strands of yarn.

Indian Cross Stitch

(Multiples of 8 stitches)

Rows 1 thru 4  Knit

Row 5  K1, *insert needle into next st wrapping yarn around needle 4 times, then knit that stitch drawing the 4 wraps through the st; rep from * to last st, k1. 

Row 6  *Cross 8 sts; repeat from * to end.

Rows 7 thru 10  Knit

Row 11  K1, *insert needle into next st wrapping yarn around needle 4 times, then knit that stitch drawing the 4 wraps through the st; rep from * to last st, k1. 

Row 12  Cross 4 sts, *Cross 8 sts; repeat from * to last for sts; end Cross 4 sts

These 12 rows form the Indian Cross Stitch Pattern

Abbreviations

Cross 4 sts - Slip 4 sts wyib, dropping all extra wraps creating 4 long sts on RH needle. Insert LH needle into the first 2 of these long sts and pass them over the second 2 long sts. 

Cross 8 sts - Slip 8 sts wyib, dropping all extra wraps creating 8 long sts on right-hand needle. Insert left-hand needle into the first 4 of these long sts and pass them over the second 4 long sts. Return all sts to left-hand needle and knit the sts in the new order (knit the second 4 long sts first and then the original 4 sts).

wyib - with yarn in back