When you think of stripes in needlepoint, the magic lies in the stitches you choose. The right stitch can make your stripes pop with texture, direction, and even a touch of shimmer.
1. Basketweave (for classic simplicity)
Sometimes, simple really is best. Basketweave provides a smooth, even texture that lets your colors do the talking. It’s ideal for clean, modern stripes or when you’re mixing multiple patterns within a piece, like the stripes on this Sardines needlepoint kit.
The subtle diagonal texture of Basketweave stitch is perfect for crisp, straight edges, so never think it's too conventional to consider.
Tip: Use this for narrow stripes where you want color contrast rather than texture contrast.
2. Brick Stitch (for subtle movement)
Brick stitch creates horizontal rows that resemble — you guessed it — a brick wall. It’s a great option for wide stripes because it adds gentle texture without being busy.
Seashore Shell uses a Double Brick stitch for the wider white stripe. You might use a single Brick stitch for a narrow stripe.
Variation: Try alternating the direction of the brick stitch in each stripe for a subtle play of light and movement. For example, if you have a horizontal stripe, consider using a vertical Brick stitch.
3. Slanted Gobelin (for sleek, modern stripes)
Slanted Gobelin is a longer, diagonal stitch that gives your canvas a smooth, satin-like appearance. It’s perfect for creating bold, graphic stripes or mimicking woven fabrics. Because it covers a lot of canvas quickly, it’s also a time-saver for larger areas.
The Seashore Crab uses a Slanted Gobelin in alternating directions.
Pro tip: Use metallic or silk threads in alternating Gobelin stripes for a touch of glamour.
4. Scotch Stitch (for bold texture)
If you want your stripes to stand out with dimension, Scotch stitch is your friend. Its repeating box-like pattern adds structure and rhythm — excellent for geometric or contemporary designs.
Variation: A single row of Scotch stitch makes a great border, like on this Twinkle Twinkle Little Star design.
5. Corduroy Stitch for a Textured Stripe
Named after the ribbed fabric, Corduroy stitch produces a lovely textured stripe, like on this Swan Glide design.
Tip: This is a great stitch for wallpaper and backgrounds where you want to create a stripe with stitches.
6. Hungarian Stitch (for maximum flexibility)
The Hungarian stitch offers neat, alternating long and short stitches that mimic a ribbed fabric. It creates thin to thick stripes for maximum flexibility, and stitches up fast.
This Summer Dinghy needlepoint design uses Hungarian Stitch for the water.
Bonus: Use vertical Hungarian stitches for contrasting stripes to create visual balance.
Putting It All Together
For a dynamic stripe design:
-
Alternate smooth and textured stitches.
-
Mix fibers: matte cottons with lustrous silks or metallics
-
Keep stripe widths varied for visual interest.
A good rule of thumb: let one element (color or texture) take the spotlight per stripe.
Final Thoughts
Stripes are timeless, but with the right needlepoint stitches, they become artful. Whether you prefer sleek and modern or richly textured and traditional, experimenting with different stitches adds life and personality to your work.
So next time you reach for that canvas, don’t just think in color — think in texture and direction. Your stripes will thank you!
