Embroidery technique whereby an even number of background threads are covered with stitchery, in contrast to freely drawn work.

Counted-thread (or simply ‘counted’) embroidery describes all forms made using a predetermined number of stitches – over a certain number of threads or sections in the foundation fabric. These commonly feature regular (and often repeated) patterns, created using a combination of a few relatively simple stitches on fabric that has an even weave. In some styles of counted-thread work the background fabric remains visible, whereas in others the base fabric is entirely covered over.