Needlepoint Stitch Library
A decorative needlepoint stitch library with fun stitches that feature in Poppy Monk needlepoint kits. Get creative with needlepoint stitches that add a little something extra to your needlework.
Click on the dropdown menus to discover more about each stitch.
Stitches appear in alphabetical order.
This is a very pretty stitch that works well on flowers and landscape features, or anywhere some repeatable texture seems like a good idea. Work the stitch in 3 parts starting with the black numbers, then the red numbers, then the green letters.
Kits this stitch is used in:
Alicia's Lace Variation Needlepoint Stitch
Stitch Chart for Alicia's Lace Variation Needlepoint Stitch
The background of this Daisies design is stitched in Alternating Mosaic. It forms a diamond-shaped pattern and fits in small to large areas.
This stitch is best worked in two parts—stitch all the Mosaic stitches going in one direction (the numbers on the chart), and then stitch all the "alternating" stitches (the letters on the chart). Alternatively, you can stitch it in rows, alternating the stitch directions as you go.
Kits this stitch is found in:
Alternating Mosaic Stitch
Stitch Chart for Alternating Mosaic Stitch
The background on this design is Alternating Cashmere. It makes great "wallpaper" and goes anywhere a boxy large-ish texture stitch will fit. We have filled the gaps with a Cross Stitch in the same thread, but you could also use a contrasting thread and /or a Tent stitch.
Kits this stitch is used in:
Alternating Cashmere Needlepoint Stitch
Stitch Chart for Alternating Cashmere Needlepoint Stitch
The yellow flowers are stitched in Alternating Tent which is a great little needlepoint stitch for small and large areas. It forms a diamond pattern which looks like a carpet! Follow the stitch diagram to get the best result.
Kits this stitch is used in:
Alternating Continental (Tent) Stitch
Stitch Chart for Alternating Tent (Continental or Basketweave) Needlepoint Stitch
This is a fun background or filler stitch and it can lie horizontally, as shown, or vertically. It's a great stitch for round objects.
Kits this stitch is used in:
Shakespeare (shown)
Balloon Stitch
Stitch Chart for Needlepoint Balloon Stitch
Bargello Wave Pattern
Stitch Chart for Bargello Wave Pattern
This is a great background or filler stitch and it can lie vertically, as shown, or horizontally.
Kits this stitch is used in:
Bakery (Kit no longer available).
Preppy Staffordshire Dog (no longer available)
Stitch Guide Video:
Brick Stitch
Stitch Chart for Needlepoint Brick Stitch
The Buttonhole stitch is closely related to the Blanket stitch. We have used it to create small flowers. See the Cornflower flowers on the image below.
It is a common embroidery stitch and not used so much in needlepoint. The best explanation we could source for how to do the Buttonhole stitch in needlepoint is in Piecework Magazine.
Kits this stitch is used in:
Buttonhole Stitch
A stitch that adds texture to any situation. Great for flowers, clothes, and landscapes. in fact, almost any space, big or small.
Kits this stitch is used in:
Byzantine Stitch #2
Stitch Chart for Needlepoint Byzantine #2
Cashmere is a boxy stitch and probably best in small-medium sized areas. It's great for borders and architectural or geometric objects.
Kits this stitch is used in:
Needlepoint Cashmere Stitch
Stitch Chart for Needlepoint Cashmere Stitch:
This stitch can be worked as surface embroidery, on top of underlying needlepoint stitches (use a thinner thread), or straight onto the canvas. It is a common embroidery stitch and stitched the same way.The chain stitch can be a straight line, or curved. Try to keep your stitch lengths even.
Basic Chain Stitch Technique
- Bring the needle up through the fabric at #1.
- Insert the needle back down into the same hole (#2), BUT...
- Before pulling the thread all the way through, bring the needle back up a short distance away along your stitching line (#3), inside the loop formed by the thread.
- Gently pull the thread to tighten the loop against the fabric. Repeat these steps, always inserting the needle inside the previous loop.
Kits this stitch is used in:Cutting Garden
Chain Stitch
Stitch Chart for Chain Stitch
Needlepoint corduroy stitch resembles what its name suggests and so it is the perfect stitch choice for clothing, including this sweater. It's also a great stitch for hills and mountains.
Kits this stitch is used in:
Corduroy Stitch
Stitch Chart for Corduroy Stitch
The darker blue flowers are stitched in Criss-Cross Hungarian stitch which is a heavily textured needlepoint stitch that does not show a direction so it's handy for overall patterns.
Kits this stitch is used in:
Flower Burst (no longer available)
Criss-Cross Hungarian Stitch
Stitch Chart for Criss-Cross Hungarian Stitch
The pink flowers are stitched in Cobblestone stitch which is a lightly textured needlepoint stitch for small spaces
Needlepoint Cobblestone Stitch
Stitch Chart for Needlepoint Cobblestone Stitch
The blue flowers in this Botanical Flowers design get texture from the Damask stitch. It is a good filler stitch for small and large spaces. The Damask stitch has a direction so angle it the way you want the direction to "flow".
Kits this stitch is used in:
Botanical Flowers (kit no longer available)
Damask stitch
Stitch Chart for Damask stitch
Kits this stitch is used in:Cutting Garden
Diagonal Mosaic
Stitch Chart for Diagonal Mosaic
This is a great background or filler stitch. It is directionless and forms a pretty pattern.
Kits this stitch is used in:
Needlepoint Diagonal Scotch Stitch
Stitch Chart for Needlepoint Diagonal Scotch Stitch
This is a great stitch for sky or water as it has a lovely flowing directional pattern. You could also angle this the other way. It would show even more movement if you used a variegated thread.
Kits this stitch is used in:Grand Teton National ParkSummer WorkSummer Dinghy
Diagonal Triple Parisian Stitch
Stitch Chart for Diagonal Triple Parisian Stitch
This is such a great stitch for trees and shrubs. It is worked in two parts: stitch the outer diamonds first (the darker blue on the chart below). There is no perfect way to stitch these. You can stitch rows of zig-zag, or even long diagonal lines. Choose a method and stick with it as much as you can. Then fill in with the internal "arrows", working the center stem and then the wings. The arrows can be the same color as the outer diamonds, or we have used a contrasting color in this model in some of the filler stitches, to show tree trunks. So many options! This would also be a great stitch for a variegated thread.
Kits this stitch is used in:Grand Teton National ParkHenny Penny
Diamond Leaves Stitch
Stitch Chart for Diamond Leaves Stitch
Diamond Ray Stitch
Stitch Chart for Diamond Ray Stitch
This is a delicate and pretty open stitch (some of the canvas shows through) that can be stitched in one color or two. It makes a great patterned background or filler stitch when you want a non-moving pattern.
This image shows the Dotted Lace stitched in two colors.
Kits this stitch is used in:
Dotted Lace Stitch
Stitch Pattern for Dotted Lace Stitch
Double Brick stitch is used on the gold background of this Van Gogh Irises design. It can also lie horizontally.
Kits this stitch is used in:
If Not Now Then When. (Kit no longer available)
Double Brick Stitch
Stitch Chart for Double Brick Stitch
A great little filler stitch for small and medium sized spaces. Good for landscapes and anything else that shows some direction.
Kits this stitch is used in: Buntings in Oak
Double Staggered Gobelin Stitch
Stitch Chart for Double Staggered Gobelin Stitch
Double Woven stitch is used on the paler blue flowers of this Flower Burst design. Work the stitch in horizontal rows.
Kits this stitch is used in:
Flower Burst (Kit no longer available)
Double Woven Stitch
Stitch Chart for Double Woven Stitch
This is a great stitch for backgrounds, especially sky or water.
Kits this stitch is used in: Buntings in Oak
Elongated Cashmere
Stitch Chart for Elongated Cashmere
This is a versatile stitch that can fit in small and large spaces to add a bit of texture. We used it on Mona Lisa's dress. It stitches up quickly.
Kits this stitch is used in:
Mona Lisa (dress)
Acadia National Park (horizontal)
Encroaching (or Interlocking) Gobelin (Slanted)
Encroaching (or Interlocking) Gobelin (Slanted)
Stitch Chart Encroaching (or Interlocking) Gobelin (Slanted)
The Eyelet stitch is used on the earring in this design. All the threads lead to a central hole which forms a nicely textured circle. Read our blog post on other stitches to use when you want to stitch a circle.
Kits this stitch is used in:
Eyelet Stitch
Stitch Chart Eyelet Stitch
The best way to learn how to do a French knot is to watch a video. Remember to come up and go down in the same hole to make a nice and neat French knot in needlepoint
This is a lovely open needlepoint stitch that has a directional flow and so it is great for rivers and oceans. You can also fill it in if you want to (like we have done with the upper rows in the above image.
Kits this stitch is used in:
Gentle Waters
Stitch Pattern for Gentle Waters
The tree is stitched in Gobelin stitch over two intersections and laid vertically.
Kits this stitch is used in:
Bakery (Kit no longer available)
Gobelin Stitch (vertical)
Stitch Pattern for Gobelin Stitch (vertical)
This is a handy filler stitch that is usually worked vertically but we have used it horizontally where it is good for water and sky.
Kits this stitch is used in:
Hungarian Stitch (Horizontal)
Stitch Chart for Hungarian Stitch (Horizontal)
Also see Encroaching Gobelin on this page.
Stitch Chart for Interlocking Gobelin Stitch
Work the larger stitches, then the smaller ones, then the larger ones, and so on. This can be stitched in contrasting colored threads.
Kits this is used in: Black Cat Portrait Halloween needlepoint kit
Stitch Chart for Jacquard Needlepoint Stitch
Kalem stitch looks a lot like a knitting stockinette stitch so we use it a lot for sweaters. It is worked in columns.
Kits using Kalem Stitch:
Screw U (no longer available)
Stitch Guide Video:
Kalem Stitch
The mauve sweater is stitched in Kalem stitch
Stitch Chart for Kalem Needlepoint Stitch
The blue flowers are formed using a haphazard Lazy Daisy stitch. You can do them free-form like this, or in a regular circle. Watch this video from Needlepoint Now on how to do a Lazy Daisy stitch in needlepoint.Kits this stitch is used in: Sympatico in Pink Cutting Garden(we placed a long center stitch down the middle of each of the daisy petals in the model on this kit).
This is an embroidery stitch. We have used it on this needlepoint canvas to create flowers.
This is an unusual and striking needlepoint background stitch. It looks like wallpaper and is a fun open pattern stitch.
Work this stitch in vertical columns.
Kits this stitch is used in:
The background on Maisy Duck is a Lollipop Stitch.
Stitch Chart for Lollipop Stitch
This is a great background or filler stitch when you want a distinctive pattern. It is worked in diagonal rows.
Kits this stitch is used in:
Milanese Needlepoint Stitch
Stitch Chart for Milanese Needlepoint Stitch
The Mosaic Needlepoint Stitch is used on the reindeer antlers in this design. It is a great background or filler stitch when you want a flowing pattern to add texture. It works well for hills, clothing, and many filler spots.
Kits this stitch is used in:
Apple & Pear
Mosaic Needlepoint Stitch
Stitch Chart for
The blue flower from the Cutting Garden design (above) is stitched in Mosaic Checker in a single color. You can also use two colors to get a distinctive checkered effect.
Kits this stitch is used in: Cutting Garden Vase of Flowers
Mosaic Checker (Skip Mosaic) Stitch
Stitch Chart for Mosaic Checker (Skip Mosaic)
The Nobuko stitch is a background stitch that offers lots of texture. It slants up and to the right (although you can also lean it the other way) but it doesn't have a strong direction when placed as a background or filler stitch.
Kits this stitch is used in:
Apple & Pear
Nobuko Needlepoint Stitch
Stitch Chart for Nobuko Needlepoint Stitch
This stitch is easiest if you stitch all the cashmere horizontal stitches and then all the vertical stitches (or vice versa). Each cashmere stitch is made up of: Over 1; Over 2 x 6; Over 1.
Open Alternating Cashmere Needlepoint Stitch
Stitch Chart for Open Alternating Cashmere Stitch
The breast feathers on Henny Penny are Open Feather stitches—great for plumage, landscapes, and trees.
Kits this stitch is used in:
Open Feather Needlepoint Stitch
Stitch Chart for Open Feather Stitch
NB: This is over two intersections, making it a large cross stitch. Finish each cross (stitch both directions) before moving on to the next one.
Kits this is used in:
Stitch Chart for Open Skip Cross Stitch
Parisian Stitch
Stitch Chart for Parisian Stitch
A traditional Parisian stitch goes long-short-long-short across a row. In this variation we have put all the long stitches in the same row and all the short stitches in the same row. The Parisian stitch, and this variation, are versatile needlepoint stitches that are staples for any stitch library because they fit almost anywhere.
The Parisian stitch and the variation can lie vertically or horizontally (image below).
Work this stitch in rows going across and back. It can also lie vertically.
Kits this stitch is used in:
Parisian Stitch Variation
Stitch Chart for Parisian Stitch Variation
This makes a great wallpaper stitch for a background or landscape feature. It consists of long stitches so it stitches up quickly. You do need some space for it to "play out".
Kits this stitch is used in:Preppy Staffordshire Dog (no longer available)
Pavilion Diamonds Stitch
Stitch Chart for Pavilion Diamonds Stitch
The Rhodes stitch is a raised stitch that can form a variety of shapes. Here, we have used it on the reindeer's nose as a circle. You can work the stitch in any direction. The top stitch will be the most prominent, so start the circle with that in mind. i.e. if you want the top stitch to lay horizontally, start just beyond the horizontal and work around from there.
Kits this stitch is used in:
Santa in Snow (coming soon)
Rhodes Stitch (Circle)
Stitch Chart for Rhodes Stitch (Circle)
The Satin stitch is one of the most useful in decorative needlepoint stitches. We have used it several times on the pale green leaves of this Flummoxed design. It can go in any direction and has a lovely, smooth and shiny appearance when you use a single ply thread. A Satin stitch is simply long stitches that sit parallel to one another. The diagram, below, shows how to create a vertical Satin stitch. Use the same method to angle your stitches in any direction, just make sure they are parallel.
Kits this stitch is used in:
Flummoxed
Skedaddle (kit no longer available)
Flower Burst (kit no longer available)
Satin Stitch
Stitch Chart for Satin Stitch
Kits using Scotch stitch:
A needlepoint staple, used here as a single row border.
Stitch Chart for Scotch Stitch
The stitch on the table is Serendipity and it makes a lovely basketweave/woven-style pattern. it is a non-directional stitch so a great choice for backgrounds and small-medium size areas that don't "move".
Kits this stitch is used in:
Serendipity Stitch
Stitch Chart for Serendipity Stitch
This is a very pretty stitch that fits anywhere. It looks similar to the Skip Tent stitch but is a little "heartier" since it's a full cross stitch being skipped and not a half cross stitch.
Kits this stitch is used in:
Stitch Guide Video:
Skip Cross
The background on this Olive You needlepoint kit is a Skip Cross Stitch.
Stitch Chart for Skip Cross Stitch
The Smyrna Cross can be a single stitch e.g. for an earring or a square shaped object, or it can be laid down in rows which forms a pretty pattern.
Take care to follow the stitch order so that the horizontal bar is always on top.
Kits this stitch is used in:
Smyrna Cross Stitch
Stitch Chart for Smyrna Cross Stitch
A very handy and easy stitch for a simple pattern. Fits in small and large spaces so is very versatile. This stitch is similar to Skip Tent except the stitches are straight. For speed, you can stitch it as a darning pattern, weaving your needle over and under the canvas (if your canvas is not on a frame).
This stitch can also be worked vertically.
Kits this stitch is used in:
Staggered Straight Stitch
Stitch Chart for Staggered Straight Stitch
Kits this stitch is used in:
Stitch Chart for Stepped Gobelin Stitch
This works best over 6 intersections but you can make it bigger or smaller.
Used in Ho Cubed and Nutcracker kits.
Stitch Chart for Super Star Stitch
A handy little open filler stitch that adds texture. It is a sister stitch to Skip Tent and can be used anywhere you want to form a small pattern.
Kits this stitch is used in:
T-Stitch
Stitch Chart for T-Stitch
A versatile stitch that can slope up and to the right or left, making it a great choice for landscapes or plants that might lean different ways. It's a stitch for small and larger spaces.
Kits this stitch is used in:
Skedaddle (kit no longer available)
The yellow flowers on Skedaddle are in Tall Short stitch
Stitch Chart for Tall Short Stitch
A lovely textured stitch for small spaces. It looks a bit like shrubbery, so perfect for landscapes.
Kits this stitch is used in:
Tent-Cross Check Stitch
Stitch Chart for Tent-Cross Check Stitch
We have called this a two-step darning pattern simply because it has two long stitches of different lengths. It provides a nice even pattern and can be used anywhere—sky and rivers come to mind. You can also work this vertically.
Kits this stitch is used in:
Two-Step Darning Pattern
Stitch Chart for Two-Step Darning Pattern
A quick open needlepoint background stitch that looks like wallpaper. Fun!
Wallpaper Stitch #1
Stitch Chart for Wallpaper Stitch #1
This is a fun little needlepoint background stitch that looks like wallpaper. It's the same as Wallpaper #1 but the columns are filled in with cross stitches (do these last).
Wallpaper Stitch #2
Stitch Chart for Wallpaper Stitch #2
The background on this Hydrangeas ornament uses a lovely textured needlepoint Wicker stitch.
Work this in horizontal rows back and forth. It uses three parallel stitches over 4 intersections in alternating directions. Use your needle to move the overlying thread aside and find the hole that lies slightly beneath e.g. at holes 8, 10, and 12. Compensate as you go with partial stitches as needed.
Wicker Stitch
Stitch Chart for Wicker Stitch
A great stitch for small and medium sized spaces. This is a popular choice for clothing, hillsides, and mountains.
Kits this stitch is used in:Flower MarketBuntings in OakMid-Century Bluebirds
Woven Stitch
Stitch Chart for Woven Stitch
Kits this stitch is used in:
Woven Trellis Stitch
Stitch Chart for Woven Trellis Stitch
A great stitch for curved and thick lines. It can be stitched directly onto the canvas or as surface embroidery. Watch this Youtube video for how it's done.
Used In:
Royal Nutcracker (coming soon)
Wrapped Back Stitch
