A Bargello Needlepoint site regular reader emailed me to ask about the difference between decorative stitches and Bargello needlepoint.
To get a better understanding of when where and how to use decorative stitches and Bargello stitches, read what the experts say about the differences.
Decorative Needlepoint Stitches
“I have devoted much time and energy to learning, designing, teaching, painting, and writing about decorative needlepoint stitches…Personally, I started stitching decorative stitches because I had a “need for speed”. As a designer I needed finished samples to display at shows. I’m a one woman operation. Using decorative stitches helped me stitch canvases faster. The result of using decorative needlepoint stitches was the finished item looked more interesting. People asked questions, wanted to know what I did. The same result occurred when I used specialty threads. Most of all I was learning something new. I had a sense of accomplishment. I could needlepoint the exact same canvas as someone else and it would look different. It would be mine! My hope when designing a canvas is that each stitcher will make it their own by changing colors, choosing specialty threads and adding decorative stitches. In my opinion, needlepoint is decorative, enjoyable, creative and functional. Each canvas I design hopefully has each of these components.” –Barbara Bergstein Designs
Read the full post here: Decorative Needlepoint Stitches
“Decorative Stitches include those that make star or eyelet patterns, loop works and those stitches that consist of several combinations of stitches to make a single pattern. In this category, there are many different styles to experiment with. The can be worked to highlight other stitches or a special yarn, or worked alone. There are four basic different types of Decorative Stitches, each with its own unique flair.” – Renee Shelton
Read the full post here: The Decorative Stitch Category in Needlepoint
“To understand decorative needlepoint stitches, one only need know that each stitch begins in a specific hole and ends in a specific hole; finding two holes at a time is all there is to it. Some patterns appear simple, others complex, but they all share the commonality of each stitch having a place to begin and a specific place to end.” – Wonderful Stitches
Read the full post here: Decorative Stitches Offer Thousands of Possibilities
Bargello Needlepoint Stitches
“Distinctive patterns are built up from rows of straight stitches, arranged in a zigzag line, and repeated in varying shades or colours. The steepness of the zigzag depends on how many threads the stitch is worked over, and the position of subsequent stitches. The diagram below shows that when the stitches are stepped by more canvas threads the peak is higher. To give a more rounded effect groups of stitches can be worked either at the end or part way down a slope. Traditionally all the stitches in a design are the same length throughout.” –Needlework Tips & Techniques
Read the full post here: Have you tried bargello needlepoint?
“Bargello is one of the easiest and most fun types of needlepoint. It uses straight stitches in steps to create curves and spikes. Bargello needlepoint encompasses many kinds of shapes and patterns. Bargello is easy enough that someone new to needlepoint can easily make lovely projects (my second needlepoint was Bargello) and flexible enough that it inspires experienced stitchers. Florentine work is different from other types of needlepoint. Your needlepoint canvas becomes your pattern once you have stitched the first line, or created an outline. Then making the Bargello is as easy as remembering the color sequence and following the needlepoint line.”—Janet Perry, Bargello Revisited
Read the full post here: I Bargello, Do You?
Got any thoughts about the differences between the two types of stitches? If you have, please job them down in the comments sections. Other readers would like to know what you think!
I know what you mean about the Kalem (Knit stitch). My knitting isn’t all that great these days either (smile). Althea
A visitor at our EGA meeting last night was stitching on an old needlepoint piece she had, using the tent stitch. I couldn’t take watching her painstakingly working it, finally started telling her how quickly some of the areas would go if she used decorative stitches and/or bargello. She just didn’t look like she was having any fun.
On another note, after suffering thru the piece I was supposed to teach, therefore doing it the way the pattern said, no one wanted to take the class! Ok for me to suffer, they weren’t going to. I think I may just redo the piece – my way. That hat will have bargello instead of kahlem. (sp? the one that looks like knitting. I can’t knit very well either and that hat shows it.