Day 119: Byzantine Mosaic Bargello Design

The Church of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy has a mosaic design created in the Byzantine era that inspired this Bargello pattern.

Found on pp. 60-61 with color photo on page 77 in Designs for Bargello by Nikki Scheuer, it demonstrates how to make curves in Bargello needlepoint.

The Bargello pattern consists of both 4-2 and 2-2 steps; and with the use of different color schemes, you can achieve a variety of design effects.

I used 5 shades of Silk n’ Ivory in cream, taupe and warm brown to work the Bargello design.

Interesting Tidbit: Designs for Bargello

The Church of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy was built after Ravenna had become the western capital of the Byzantine empire. The Bargello pattern may have been inspired by the beautiful mosaics on the side wall of the church.

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