The long-armed Smyrna Cross Stitch is a variation of the Smyrna Cross Stitch that incorporates a petite upright cross stitch laid over a cross stitch stitched over two squares of Aida fabric.
The instructions below describe stitching a long-armed Smyrna Cross Stitch with one color of floss. To stitch with two colors, secure the floss after stitching the cross stitch and start at point 5 with the second floss color.
The instructions below describe stitching a long-armed Smyrna Cross Stitch with one color of floss. To stitch with two colors, secure the floss after stitching the cross stitch and start at point 5 with the second floss color.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: Varies
Here's How:
- Thread the tapestry needle with a short length of floss. Place the fabric in the hoop if desired.
To stitch a long-armed Smyrna Cross Stitch, bring the threaded needle up at point 1 and carry the floss across two squares of Aida taking it down at point 2. - Bring the needle up at point 3 and take it down at point 4. This completes the cross stitch, stitched over two squares of Aida fabric or two threads of linen.
- Next, bring the needle and floss up at point 5 and stitch downward into the fabric at point 6.
- Complete the upright cross stitch by bringing the floss up at point 7 and taking it down at point 8, completing the long-armed Smyrna Cross Stitch.
- Continue practicing the stitch or secure the floss to finish.
Tips:
- Keep stitch tension consistent for better looking stitches.
- This stitch may be stitched over one square of Aida with careful placement of stitch components.
- When stitching rows of two-color long-armed Smyrna Cross Stitch, complete the rows of cross stitch first, then make a second pass to stitch the upright cross stitches in the second color.
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What You Need:
- fabric
- short length of floss
- tapestry needle
- scissors
- hoop (optional)


