DECORATIVE NEEDLEPOINT STITCHES
MAKE THESE PROJECTS SUCCESSFUL!

Why do I incorporate decorative needlepoint stitches into some of my designs?

Because the design would be compromised if I didn’t!

Normally I like to use the basic ‘TENT’ needlepoint stitches for most of my tapestries because their smooth even finish seems to suit the graphic nature of my designs.

The following descriptions of these two particular decorative stitches will help to explain why I ‘needed’ them .

I’m also including the diagrams of these stitches, if you’d like to give them a try.

FRENCH KNOT

I used the French knot on a small handbag design, ‘Four Fleurs’, in order to create several stamens for the colourful stylized Art Nouveau flowers.

It was the only method to convey the delicacy of the flowers.

This feature also added a lovely three-dimensional tactile quality
to the handbag.

Please click on photo to see this completed handbag design where I used both the stitches described here.

And here’s how to do the French knot!

Bring the needle up through the canvas where you want the finished knot to be.
Point the needle away from you and wrap the thread around the needle.
Holding the thread taut with your other hand, turn the needle back and put it through the canvas above and to the right of the original hole.

To create the stamens on the flowers, work a French knot as described, but re-enter the canvas 3 or 4 threads away to form a knot on the end of the stitch. 

 

STEM STITCH

This decorative needlepoint stitch is normally used to highlight particular sections of a piece and should be worked on top of the finished needlepoint

For the ‘Under the Big Top’ handbag design (detail photo shown) which was inspired by Matisse , I needed to add the stem stitch to maintain the fluid movement of the ring masters’ whip.

(Please click on photo to see this completed handbag design where I used both the decorative needlepoint stitches described here.)

With the ‘Four Fleurs’ handbag, the design would have been compromised without the continuous natural lines for the stems of the four flowers.

The flowing stem stitch carries the eye across the bag to the brightly coloured flowers.

Here’s how to do the Stem Stitch!

Work the stitch by bringing the needle up at 1, down at 2; usually 2 threads away.
Before pulling the yarn down on the canvas, bring the needle up at 3, and pull the yarn snug to the canvas.
Go down at 4, and come up at 2, and tighten the yarn again.
You can hold the yarn to either the left or right of the needle when working in a straight line.
When working a curve it should be held outside the curve.

These handbag designs work much more successfully thanks to these simple decorative needlepoint stitches!

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE
DECORATIVE STITCH? 

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