Half Stitches

What you will learn

• Single diagonal stitches
• Matching the slant to the chart

Materials and tools

• 14-count Aida cloth, white or cream
• Tapestry needle size 24 (blunt tip)
• Six-strand embroidery floss
• Embroidery scissors
• 4 or 5 in (10 or 13 cm) hoop (optional on stiff Aida)

1. Check the chart key. Half stitches are usually shown as a diagonal line or a small symbol placed in a corner, and the key says which.
2. Come up at the bottom left corner of the square.
3. Go down at the top right corner. That is the whole stitch.
4. Continue along the row the same way.
5. Slant half stitches the same way as the bottom legs of your full crosses unless the chart shows the opposite slant.
6. Some charts use a different number of strands for half stitches. Follow the key.

Tips for a neat result

• Half stitches cover less, so keep tension gentle and let the strands spread.

Common mistakes and fixes

Check your result

• All half stitches slant the same way and lie flat.