Cross stitch vs embroidery: what is the difference?
Cross stitch is embroidery. It is the one kind where every stitch is the same and the design is counted, not drawn.
Counted versus drawn
In cross stitch the fabric is a grid and the chart tells you which square gets which colour. There is nothing drawn on the fabric and nothing freehand. In surface embroidery the design is traced onto plain fabric and worked in many different stitches — satin, stem, French knots, chain — with the stitcher choosing length and direction.
Materials
Cross stitch uses aida or evenweave, a blunt tapestry needle and six-strand floss split to two. Embroidery uses any closely woven fabric, a sharp needle and the same floss or heavier threads. Hoops suit both.
Which to start with
Cross stitch, if you want a result that looks like the picture. Because every stitch is identical and counted, a first piece can look exactly like the chart. Embroidery rewards practice at many stitches before a piece looks finished. People who do both tend to find cross stitch more restful and embroidery more expressive.
