Initially I thought one skein would be enough. But I didn’t like their suggested background or any of the three others I tried. By the time I settled on this Random Gobelin Stripe, I knew there wasn’t enough thread. Since the thread was from stash I was unlikely to find a matching dyelot.

This could have ruined the ornament, but you can see above how I planned for the dyelot change. I skipped every other stripe.

By doing so I’ve planned for the different dyelot. Since the change is regular, it will look as if the background was supposed to be striped in this way.

I found another card of this color in my stash and I’ll be set whether it matches or not.

Related posts:

1. Running out of a Dyelot? Try these tips
2. The Dyelot Problem
3. New and Updated at All about Needlepoint
4. Random Stripe Generator
5. Let’s Get . . . Stitching Backgrounds

This is the first stitch in Celebrate!, a needlepoint stitch sampler. It will go into the left block in the top row.

The alphabet I used for this stitch is available free on the Internet. It is Americana 18 from Tink Boord-Dill. The chart for the C is below. This alphabet is also in Tink’s Alphabets Elegant and Unusual.

The background stitch is Alternating Offset Mosaic Stripe. I stitched it in Fresh Pink Watercolours. This stitch is a great one to know, by offsetting the rows of Mosaic, the boxiness of the stitch is broken. If you alternate the direction of the Mosaics in each row, you emphasize the horizontal direction of the stitch, but not the individual Mosaics. If all the stitches are the same direction, each individual Mosaic is the focus.

Here’s a rundown of the sampler so far:

• Marking the canvas
• C
• E
• L
• E
• B
• R
• A
• T
• E
• Exclamation Point
• Star
• Sign & Date

Related posts:

1. Come Stitch with Me – Celebrate “L” Block
2. Come Stitch with Me – Celebrate “E” Block
3. Come Stitch with Me – Celebrate Star
4. Come Stitch with Me – Celebrate Sampler “T”
5. Come Stitch with Me – Celebrate “E” Block

There are so many good things to say about this little book, it’s hard to know where to begin. First off, it’s small (the size of a folded over piece of paper), so it’s easy to stick in your project pack. Second each page is given over to a single stitch, so the photos and diagrams are large and easy to read. Finally, the diagrams make it easy for even beginners to learn the 40+ stitches in the book with numbering and arrows on the diagrams.

Jane is immensely knowledgeable about needlepoint and this shows through in both her selection of stitches and in the notes about each stitch. Every stitch gets at least one paragraph, often two, with information about the stitch, its history, and some ideas for variations. With so many stitch dictionaries having either too much or too little information, this teacher on your shoulder approach is just perfect.

The photos of every stitch are large and clear. They are in black and white, but big enough so you can get a good idea of how the stitch will work as a background. Just looking through the book I got so many great ideas for backgrounds, I’m totally jazzed.

The is the first of what will be an exciting series of books. Books on background stitches (2 volumes), layered fillings (3 volumes), bands and borders (3 volumes), and composite patterns (2 volumes) are planned. Further books in the series will include Canvas Bead Embellishment, Florentine Patterns, Shading and Darning Patterns.

To learn more about the series and her other ventures, visit Jane’s site.

Related posts:

1. A Background Stitch Reference Book — Book Review
2. Backgrounds: The Finishing Touch – book review
3. Stitches to Go – book review
4. Backgrounds & Such – book review
5. SuZy’s Portable Stitches – book review

Here’s the center block for the top, a big bold lower case e. The alphabet charted below, is Computer 24 from Tink’s Alphabets Tantalizing and Terrific.

The background, below, is Criss-Cross Hungarian with Crosses stitched using a limited edition silk called Brazilian Boa from The Thread Gatherer. Make all the Hungarians first, using 6 strands, Then go back and using only three strands, make the little Cross Stitches. This will distribute the colors nicely.

One last note about using limited edition or discontinued colors. If you are planning a large project using them, by more than you think you will need, you may not be able to find them. If you don’t have a project in mind, pick up a skein or two to use for small projects and as accents. I positively adore this color with the flashes of bright among the vivid greens, but I won’t even find more, so I hoard it and only use it for small things like this, so it will last.

Here’s a rundown of the sampler so far:

• Marking the canvas
• C
• E
• L
• E
• B
• R
• A
• T
• E
• Exclamation Point
• Star
• Sign & Date

Related posts:

1. Come Stitch with Me – Celebrate “L” Block
2. Come Stitch with Me – Celebrate “E” Block
3. Come Stitch with Me – Name & Date Block
4. Come Stitch with Me – Celebrate Sampler – B
5. Celebrate “C” – Come Stitch with Me!

I’ve stitched an awful lot of canvases in my time, but the Chinese Letter canvases from Raymond Crawford remain among my favorites.

Why?

They come in two sizes of canvas (14 and 18), they have a huge variety of background colors, and there are lots of different characters form which to choose.

So, literally, there is something for everyone here. I’ve made nine of them and eight of those are collected into two classic stitch guides, both available to shops from either Raymond or me.

I also love these because stitching them is such a wonderful way to learn more stitches and learn about needlepoint. And I’ve put that into the guides.Chinese Letters I covers stitches in four families, box (pictured), cross, diagonal, and straight. These families are the basis for the majority of needlepoint stitches. Each of the four samplers has four stitches, one for each quadrant, so a beginner has plenty of time to master the stitch.

Chinese Letters II uses a single stitch for each of the samplers and has four variations of the stitch. The book begins with discussion of how a stitch can be varied and explains how each variation came about. Although this book is slightly more advanced, beginners can still use it. Experienced stitchers will love all the ideas it sparks. I was rereading it earlier this week and got so many good ideas for my current projects.But wait, as the commercials say, there’s more!

I’ve also packed the books with lots of extra reference material about needlepoint.

In Chinese Letters there are short articles about scale in needlepoint (and how to scale a pattern or stitch), compensation, using a stitch dictionary, and using thread with directional light.

In Chinese Letters II besides the introductory essay on stitch variations, there are essays about stripes in needlepoint (with lots of stitch diagrams). a long discussion of borders, and a in-depth discussion of how to “read” a needlepoint canvas and pick appropriate stitches.

These two are among my favorites and I wanted to share them with you. 

Related posts:

1. Sip! Gulp! Coaster from Raymond Crawford
2. Raymond Crawford Coasters
3. Why a Custom Stitch Guide?
4. Custom Stitch Guide Service Now Available
5. Needlepoint Stitch Guides Now Available

Because it’s supposed to be a background, you will want a less busy pattern in a single color. In an older post, I have some ideas on stitching backgrounds that can be applied here.

Here are some other small straight stitches that would work for Needlepoint Bargello backgrounds.

Related posts:

1. Top 5 Background Stitches
2. Straight Stitches
3. Bargello Blast-off
4. Bargello Blast-off
5. Book Review – Bargello Christmas Medallions

Twenty years ago, a suburban San Francisco chapter of ANG decided to turn the results of their study of background stitches into a book. The book was revised in 2000, changing the charts to clearer, computer-generated charts.

The book is a marvel and an outstanding reference for needlepointers. Its’ divided into chapters first according to stitch families, then with a chapter on exposed canvas stitches and then one on specialty stitches.

The stitch diagrams have some nice features not seen in other needlepoint books. When used, instead of showing numbers for both sides of the stitch only one number, where the needle comes out of the canvas, is used. On other diagrams, arrows are used to show where the needle goes back into the canvas. Some diagrams don’t have either because the stitches are self-explanatory. The result is stitch diagrams that are clear and easy to follow. The “aids to navigation” are only used where needed.

In addition to the clear diagrams, there are stitching instructions and suggestions by chapter members. I love this aspect of the book because it inspires our own creative use of the stitches.

The book draws on many sources for stitches suitable for backgrounds, which makes it wonderfully useful. The reader doesn’t have to wonder if the stitch will work for a background, she knows it will. Beyond this there are stitches and variations unique to this book.

And if all of this isn’t enough to get you to run out and buy this book, the chapter is having a special promotion for the 20th anniversary, the book, including shipping is $25. Go and a buy it for yourself or a stitcher you know. Please email me directly for information on how to purchase the book. I’m asking people do this because of privacy concerns.

Related posts:

1. Background Stitches vol.1 – book review
2. Backgrounds: The Finishing Touch – book review
3. Canvas Embellishment the sequel – book review
4. Darn Fillings – Book Review
5. Not your Mama’s Stitching – Book Review

She picked a great background, from Needlepoint Now. When I was reading about it, I was hoping she’d show us how to do it, because I LOVE it!

And she did, in an outstanding post. Learn how to do Alternating Cashmere Pairs with wonderful close-up pictures of every step of the process, done with thin threads on black plastic canvas so the stitches are so easy to see.

I’m sitting here thinking of a piece where I can use it.

Related posts:

1. Top 5 Background Stitches
2. Great Stitch & Background Tips
3. Great Background Idea!
4. Needlepoint Damask – a Great Background Technique
5. Background Stitches vol.1 – book review

If I was in the middle of a stitch when the event occurred, I changed for the next stitch.

All in all, a really fun way to stitch a background, I’m going to use it on the matching bunny mini-sock as well.

Related posts:

1. Needlepoint Games
2. Classic Bargello
3. Stitches in Small Spaces
4. Waste Canvas
5. Happy Spring!

Cushion Stitch, or Framed Scotch Stitch puts Scotch Stitches into Tent Stitch frames. Done all in the same thread, it creates a subtle texture. Do it in two different colors or threads and you get a strong pattern, great for an unusual background. You still have the boxiness of Scotch, along with its regular rhythm, but the Tent Stitch frame makes it seem less rigid.

I like it as a stitch for buildings or for clothing.

Combination Cross is an interlocked version of regular and Upright Cross Stitches. The constant change in direction gives this stitch a texture much greater than its small scale would suggest. It’s a good background, especially on a smaller piece.

The texture of this stitch means it will attract attention. It could work well as tweed clothing, a blanket, or for fields. I also like to use it in a single color to stitch mountains in the middle distance.

Two great stitches, well worth trying.

Related posts:

1. Arrowhead -Great Scotch Stitch Variation for Needlepoint
2. Top 5 Background Stitches
3. Stitching Sand
4. Rittenhouse Needlepoint’s Stitch of the Week – Hungarian
5. Picking Stitches