Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Cross-stitch \Cross"-stitch`\ (-st?ch`; 224), n.
A form of stitch, where the stitches are diagonal and in pairs, the thread of one stitch crossing that of the other. ``Tent and cross-stitch.''
--Sir W. Scott. -- Cross"-stitch`, v. t. & i.embroidery done in cross-stitch.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
Wiktionary
n. 1 (context countable English) A double stitch that forms a cross. 2 (context uncountable English) embroidery or needlework made using such stitches. vb. (context ambitransitive English) To embroider with such stitches.
WordNet
n. two stitches forming a cross or X
embroidery done in cross-stitch
Wikipedia
Cross-stitch is a popular form of counted-thread embroidery in which X-shaped stitches in a tiled, raster-like pattern are used to form a picture. The stitcher counts the threads on a piece of evenweave fabric (such as linen) in each direction so that the stitches are of uniform size and appearance. This form of cross-stitch is also called counted cross-stitch in order to distinguish it from other forms of cross-stitch. Sometimes cross-stitch is done on designs printed on the fabric (stamped cross-stitch); the stitcher simply stitches over the printed pattern. Cross-stitch is also executed on easily-countable fabric called aida cloth but the threads are not actually counted.
Fabrics used in cross-stitch include linen, aida, and mixed-content fabrics called 'evenweave' such as jobelan. All cross stitch fabrics are technically "evenweave," as it refers to the fact that the fabric is woven to make sure that there are the same number of threads in an inch both left to right and top to bottom (vertically and horizontally). Fabrics are categorized by threads per inch (referred to as 'count'), which can range from 11 to 40 count. Aida fabric has a lower count because it is made with two threads grouped together for ease of stitching. Cross stitch projects are worked from a gridded pattern and can be used on any count fabric, the count of the fabric determines the size of the finished stitching if the stitchers counts and stitches over 2 threads. The finished stitching size is reduced by half if the stitcher counts and stitches over one fabric thread. These methods are commonly referred to as "2 over 2" - i.e. 2 embroidery threads used to stitch over 2 fabric threads; and "1 over 1" - i.e. 1 embroidery thread used to stitch over 1 fabric thread.
Usage examples of "cross-stitch".
Scheffler was to blame, oh, how happy she would have been with a little sugarplum baby, something she could love to pieces and swathe in crocheted blankets and cover with lace and ribbons and little kisses in cross-stitch.
She would carry supplies for macrame, cross-stitching, candlewicking, and knitting, complete with patterns.
Hurriedly, she dressed and drank a cup of coffee while gathering the latest batch of cross-stitched chair covers to take with her.
Danielle spread a dozen cross-stitched chair covers across the counter for his inspection.
Each cover was cross-stitched in soft springtime pastels, her favorite shades.
He wore elegant riding pants and boots cross-stitched in white and glistening new.
Natred’s token from Kort’s sister was a cross-stitched bookmark in the Academy colours.
For the sin of disbelief, the dark-skinned priests sewed the eyes of heretics open, pinning back their eyelids against their brow bones with cross-stitches of black silk, so that the heretics might see the face of God as they died.
It was an ornamental affair, what with black lozenges and yellow dots, and here and there at regular intervals cubes and cross-stitches of amber, such as the humans use in rug-making or working samplers.
Dio tried her best to show me, but I never could make a French knot, and my cross-stitches were never even.
She had to laugh at herself whenever she picked up her cross-stitch hoop, because this had to be proof the party girl was getting old.