Persian yarn for Bargello needlepoint is 100% wool yarn made of three individual strands or “plies” that are loosely twisted together. This makes it quite versatile for use on various size canvas mesh [...]

Recently, I received several emails asking about the difference between the Irish stitch and Bargello stitch. The answer is “none”. The Irish stitch is just another name for the Flame stitch, which is probably the most common Bargello stitch [...]

If you stitch regularly like I’m doing for the 2010 Bargello Challenge, your skill will naturally increase and stitching automatically improve. However, I’ve found that these 6 tips will make your Bargello needlepoint stitching results even better regardless of how frequent or infrequent you stitch [...]

When using two or more strands of thread to stitch Bargello needlepoint, a laying tool should be used to make each strand lie flat side-by-side; but when using only one strand of thread, care should be taken to maintain an even twist for great Bargello needlepoint results [...]

There’s nothing so frustrating as running out of a particular color of thread in the middle of a Bargello needlepoint project. If this happens to you, consider using these steps to minimize any dye lot variations [...]

Pearl cotton is produced in twisted skeins that are folded prior to labeling, and therefore must be cut before use. I’ve found a tangle-free way to make these fibers easily accessible without having to remove the labels. Here’s what to do [...]

Recently, a visitor to the site asked how to estimate the amount of thread she should purchase to work a 16″ square Bargello needlepoint pillow. The answer to this question depends largely on the stitcher, the type of stitches, canvas mesh size, and the kind of thread that will be used.

Blunt tipped tapestry needles work best when stitching Bargello needlepoint. Here is a handy chart to help you choose the correct size tapestry needle for your Bargello needlepoint projects [...]

Bargello patterns are usually charted to make it easy to see the canvas grid and stitches, and are not drawn necessarily to scale. Here’s how you can calculate the design size when using different gauges of needlepoint canvas [...]

A typical Florentine or Bargello needlepoint stitch is vertical and made by working up or down over a specific number of canvas threads. To create variation and movement in a Bargello pattern, two or more of these stitches are either placed side by side or worked by “stepping” across the canvas row by row until the desired design takes shape [...]

Oh where, oh where has this great cotton embroidery floss gone? MADEIRA’s stylish 6 strand cotton embroidery floss is made from the finest high quality Egyptian cotton–you know, that wonderful cotton that fluffy bathrobes and towels are made of [...]

Wonderful things happen when you use your imagination. Imagination plus one or two simple Bargello patterns can offer unlimited opportunities for self-expression in needlepoint. How many times have you admired a beautiful piece of Bargello needlepoint—and wished that you had stitched it? Once you begin stitching, you’ll find the creative experience endlessly rewarding—fashioning beautiful embroidery [...]

This filler stitch is made up of little straight triangles that fit together to form zigzags. Each triangle unit is made of four stitches. It reminds one of the Milanese needlepoint stitch [...]

Old Florentine makes an excellent background stitch. It is quick to work up and is more effective in large areas rather than in small ones [...]

The Hungarian Ground Bargello Filler Stitch is a flexible variation of the Hungarian stitch that has an alternating row of a 4-1 step Bargello pattern [...]

This stitch is a very old one that was created to simulate tapestry. As a filler stitch, it looks like upright Gobelin stitches. What distinguishes it from those stitches is its [...]

The Parisian Bargello Stitch is another good texture stitch that can be used in fairly small design areas. It is formed by alternating long (over four canvas threads) and short (over two canvas threads) stitches [...]

The Hungarian Bargello Filler Stitch creates diamond shapes that add a great deal of texture to any design. The most common version of this stitch has a 2:4:2 pattern with one vertical stitch that covers [...]

Brick is probably the most basic of the seven Bargello Filler Stitches. Various patterns of peaks, scallops, and diamonds—you name it, are made by setting up parallel rows of Brick outlining the design, and then filling in with different colors [...]

There are seven needlepoint stitches that are considered to be Bargello filler stitches. These stitches can be used by themselves to cover a whole piece; but are more effective when used to fill in specific sections of a Bargello needlepoint pattern. They offer many possibilities for background work, and when used in combination, create unique Bargello designs [...]

A Bargello Needlepoint site regular 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 [...]