Canvas crosses
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Supplies needed:
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Supplies needed:
Plastic canvas 12” X 18” .7 count
Tapestry needles N18
Yarn of any color
Scissors
Warning Tag from a pillow (I know it’s strange, but I will explain this to you a bit later)​​​​​​
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Preparation Work:
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Step 1: Starting at the bottom left corner of your canvas, count over 17 holes and cut on the 18th hole. Cut to the top of the canvas. Finish cutting up your canvas in strips. You will have four strips, with a small portion left over.
Step 2: Taking a strip of canvas, count 21 holes up and cut across on hole 22. You will have a square piece that measures 17 holes X 21 holes. Using this as a pattern, continue cutting the strip into squares. You will have five squares and a portion left over.
Step 3: Using the left image, remove a 6x6 piece from each top corner of the canvas square and a 6x10 piece from each bottom corner. The cross's top, arms, and bottom each measure five holes. Once you cut your cross out, trim all the jagged portions so you have a smooth cross around the edges.
Step 4: Measure your yarn and cut it to 120 inches or 10 feet. Wrap the yarn 17 times around four fingers on one hand for a quicker job.
Step 5: To make a “sewing needle,” take the warning tag or a piece of paper and cut a strip ¼ inches x ½ inches. The tag material lasts a bit longer if I make many crosses.
Step 6: To thread the yarn using your cut piece of paper or warning tag, place an end of the yarn in the center, fold the paper over the yarn, and thread the ends of the paper through the eye of the needle.
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Begin the project:
Take the top of the cross, turn it upside down, and start from the back. Through the 2nd hole from the right on the bottom row, pull the yarn through (yellow arrows, last picture). Reinsert the thread into the 2nd row up, 1st hole on the right side, making an angled design. Be sure to hold on to the very end of the yarn as it comes through the holes. You will continue the angled design. Coming from the back, pull the yarn through the bottom row, 3rd hole from the right. Reinsert the yarn into the third row, the 1st hole from the bottom. Continue this pattern, stopping at row six, as seen in the first cross picture.
Next, take yarn from the top to the bottom of the cross, bottom row. Begin the pattern from the back, 2nd hole from the right to the 2nd vertical on the right, working your way up to row 11 (Orange arrows, last picture).
Continue by rotating the cross in your hand and the bottom of the cross in your left hand. Start your pattern on the first row of the arm of the cross. From the back, the second hole from the right to the second vertical hole on the right side, work your way all across the arm of the cross (green arrows, last picture).
Now, it is time to put the finishing touches on your cross. Starting in the corner with your yarn, do a whip stitch three times in each corner and a single whip stitch on the rest. When the cross is complete on both sides, slip your needle and yarn through the back, cutting off the excess yarn.
Thank you for watching this video on making crosses, a mission of The Prime Timers Ministry of Heights Baptist Church in Alvin, TX. The crosses we make go to the Texas Port Ministry in Freeport, TX, where they are given to seafarers, longshoremen, and truck drivers, along with the salvation message.
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