How to Make a Half Stitch

You will find the half stitch even on simple designs. Don't worry. They are as easy to master as the full variety. In fact, if you have done a cross stitch, you have already done a half Just stop before you cross your first stitch and you're done!

Whether stitched alone along the outer edge of a design or combined within a body of full cross stitches, partial stitches primarily smooth edges and round corners.

How designers represent them varies, and some details of how they are constructed may be left up to you. Review the entire pattern and instructions before beginning, and decide how you will embroider them. Then just be consistent throughout the entire project.

Partial stitches can slant in any direction. Just adapt the following instructions to fit your needs.

This stitch consists of one diagonal arm of a full cross stitch. Simple!

Look to the color key or legend for your project. Most often, I find partial stitches listed like other categories of embroidery stitches, similar to backstitches and straight stitches. Each floss color will be represented by a different symbol. The legend will specify the number of strands to work with and the direction of each stitch.

Make a half stitch

1. In this examble, locate the lower left corner of the stitch and bring the needle up through to the front of the fabric.	2. Crossing diagonally, push your needle down at the upper corner, pulling the floss completely through to the back.
3. You're done!

And that is all there is to it.

If you have a comment or question about this lesson, or if you would like to suggest a new one, please go to our Contact Us page. (We promise not to use your email address for any other purpose.)