Three Under-The-Radar Needlepoint Background Stitches

Backgrounds tend to be the largest spaces on needlepoint canvases, so it's always motivating to find an unusual background stitch to try. We have three fun ones, along with the needlepoint designs to showcase them.


Needlepoint Background Stitch #1—Bamboo Stitch

Crab needlepoint design showing the Bamboo background stitch

This is a highly textured stitch that looks like woven basketry. It is worked in two parts; stitch all the vertical stitches (numbered in the stitch diagram below), then stitch the horizontal stitches (lettered in the stitch diagram below). The Bamboo stitch looks complicated, but since it's constructed of repeating straight stitches, it's actually straightforward.

Stitch diagram of the Needlepoint Bamboo stitch:

needlepoint bamboo stitch diagram

Needlepoint Background Stitch #2—Hourglass Cross Stitch

Lobster needlepoint design showing the Hourglass Cross background stitch
What a beauty! Another textured stitch that goes anywhere because it is non-directional; it just looks pretty!
The Hourglass stitch is a little more complicated to construct. You could stitch all the crosses and then all the horizontal stitches, but we have diagrammed a more direct option, finishing each hourglass cross as you go.
Stitch diagram of the Needlepoint Hourglass Cross stitch:
Needlepoint Hourglass cross stitch diagram

Needlepoint Background Stitch #3—Bargello Wave Stitch

 

Sardines needlepoint design showing the Bargello Wave background stitch

Seafood Cocktail needlepoint kit with Bargello Wave background pattern

There are several Bargello Wave patterns; this one is quick and easy. Work it in back-and-forth rows with each stitch covering three intersections.

Stitch diagram of the Needlepoint Bargello Wave stitch:

Bargello Wave needlepoint pattern background stitch diagram

 

Enjoy exploring these rarely seen needlepoint background stitches and the needlepoint kits that showcase them.

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A 3-piece framed art bundle featuring three square white frames with nautical illustrations: a lobster on a blue-gray background, a crab on an orange patterned background, and a fish on an orange wavy background. A gray promotional panel on the right reads 'Save 20% ON THE 3-KIT BUNDLE'.

 

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