People often ask me if you can stitch without a hoop. It’s a question that comes up a lot on cross stitch forums and social groups all over the place, however, no one ever seems to ask why.
This at first seems like an obvious question, but many of you reading this instantly answered the question of “can you”, but most wouldn’t be able to say they’ve tried it. And that, in my mind, is an issue.
Stitching without a hoop may just be the easiest, but least tried cross stitch skill out there. But it’s also a fantastic skill to utilize in your stitching!
So I plan to tell you why you should try this underrated skill!
Can you cross stitch without a hoop?
Yes, you can cross stitch without a hoop, using the “sewing” method, where you stab the needle into the work, and stab it back out of the work before you pull the thread.
The Myth Of Issues
The main reason behind not trying out the sewing method is the myths behind it. Most of these are actually subconscious, but in all cases, aren’t actually valid reasons.
Tension
The first, and arguably biggest is tension. The concept of a hoop is to make tension so your stitches are perfectly placed. The theory goes that if you take away the hoop, you take away the tension. And whilst this does initially hold up, the way that you “sew” cross stitches changes how tension is applied.
Instead of keeping the fabric taught, you instead keep the thread taught.
It Looks Different
The second main concern is that it looks different. This one is arguably a big turn-off for many, as no one wants to try something and then be able to see it sticking out like a sore thumb for the rest of time! But once again, this isn’t the case.
Yes, your stitching method is different, the way you tension is different, and even the way you go about stitching it might be different, but in the end, your cross stitch will look the same.
It should be noted though that the sewing method is required for the “Danish way” and swapping between the “English way” and the “Danish way” will cause your work to look slightly different.
You Can’t Stitch The Whole Thing
The final point is actually an interesting one. Many people think that the sewing method works well for large singular blocks of color (and it does), but many people think that’s the only thing it’s good for.
I do understand this one, of all the reasons it does make the most sense, and in my mind, it’s kind of true. But actually, that’s the benefit!
There are people out there that do stitch the whole thing ‘in the hand’, but in my mind using this technique on large blocks of color is the perfect excuse. It doesn’t look different when finished, it makes stitching blocks of color easier, and there is one other big selling point too…
So Why Try It?
Speed!
A lot of us want to learn how to cross stitch faster, and there are loads of techniques and tools specifically for it, but one often overlooked is the sewing method. What makes this crazier is that the sewing method is 50% faster than the “stab” method.
Everyone has been in the position before of sitting with one color over a massive length of time, wondering to yourself just when it’ll be finished, just when you can move on. Well; try the sewing method and you’ve just halved the time!
Got any techniques you think people ignore? Drop us a comment below and we’ll give them a try!
Happy stitching!
Lord Libidan
Explore all our cross stitch guides to master everything from basics to advanced techniques.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay to stitch without a hoop?
Yes, you can stitch without a hoop, known as “in the hand” without issue. You need to ensure the tension of your fabric and thread is consistent to avoid warping, but many cross stitchers prefer this style.
What techniques work best when stitching in hand?
The Danish cross stitch method works best when stitching in-the-hand as you can enter and exit the fabric in one smooth movement without having to reposition the fabric between stitches.
Does stitching without a frame affect tension?
Stitching without a hoop or embrioidery frame, also known as in-the-hand, does not affect tension, but it can be harder for the cross stitcher to keep an even tension of the fabric and thread when stitched in this way.
Just wondering, what does it meant to keep the thread taught instead of the fabric being taught? Does one have to find a way to constantly keep the thread under tension when one does not have a hoop?
You don’t need to keep the thread constantly under tension. In fact, that would be bad.
What you do need to do is keep a consistent tension in the thread. When using a hoop the thread gets set to a tension by default, but without a hoop you can pull the thread too hard in some places and ruin the aida, giving you big holes.
There’s also a style of cross stitch known under the name “Ebenseer Kreuzstich”.
In it, all lines on the back must be vertical and go only over one stitch. The stitches on the front can be stitched in reverse order, if necessary, but the “base stitch” will be threaded underneath the prematurely stitched top stitch.
On objects like towels, curtains or table cloths, a neat looking backside is a very attractive feature. Besides the thread-saving factor.
Also it’s fun (to me, at least) to work out which path to stitch, it’s a bit like a game of solitaire.
Hahah! I love planning my route too! I thought I was the only one… 😛
Is there somewhere that teaches this method of stitching (ebenseer cross stitch). I would very much like to learn
This is what most of us call the “Danish way”.