Can you give me some hints on making a cross-stitch afghan?

The first thing to do is to make sure that your design and afghan fabric are compatible. Afghan fabrics are available in both 14 & 18 count, and the areas for stitching vary in size – be sure your design will fit your afghan! Is the design to be worked over one thread or two?

The afghan fabrics tend to be a bit fuzzy, so you’ll probably want to use one more ply of floss than usually used on that count since some of the stitch gets lost in the fuzz. As usual, use no knots, but do begin and end all threads by running under working areas a generous inch. If using an even number of threads, you can begin with a “loop start”. Loop start – cut your thread twice the length you normally would. Strip them as usual, take strands apart and put them back together again, Fold in half and thread the two ends into the needle leaving a loop at the far end. To do the first stitch: 1.) Go down where you would normally come up, 2.) Come up where you would normally go down. 3.) Go through the loop and pull down into place, 4.) Go back down where you just came up, but on the outside of the loop. This will create your first half stitch and secure your thread all at the same time. As usual, you must end the thread by running under the stitches on the back, but now you will have half as many “run-unders” showing – only ends, no beginnings. Be neat! Unlike a framed piece, the back of your piece will be exposed.

Take the time to run basting stitches to mark the centers of the areas to be stitched, especially if multiple squares are involved. A series of long basting lines through adjoining squares will assure that everything will line up properly and will save having to count to find the center of each individual square.

Afghan fabrics are quite soft – you may find a hoop or Q-snap necessary, even if you usually do not use one. A large-diameter, wide-sided wood hoop will hold the fabric best without distortion.
A nice fringe can really “make” the afghan and assure that it will hold up for years of wear and laundering. A tight machine stitch around the perimeter will stabilize the edges.

A.) Remove threads up to this line for a mini-fringe. A knotted/tied fringe is even better – in both looks and stability. After removing a section of horizontal threads, take a group of vertical threads (usually four to eight) and knot together, easing the knot up to the top of the fringe.

B.) The machine stitching is optional if making a knotted fringe. If the fringe is long, a double-knotted fringe may be appropriate. After completing the first round of knots, take half of two adjoining bunches and tie together leaving the knot ½ to 1 inch below the first row.

Information from Cross Country Stitching Magazine columns "Ask Judie" - Judie Solomon, Thistle Needleworks & "Carol’s Crafty Corner" - Carol Rice, The Craft Menagerie

Return to FAQs page