Let’s talk about stitches! There are SO many beautiful decorative stitches out there and while I love seeing how creative the community gets with their stitch selection….it can also feel a bit intimidating. As a self-taught stitcher, I stayed in my "continental stitch comfort zone” for a long time, but as I’ve grown my confidence I’ve also built a great baseline toolkit of stitches I am confident anyone can master with a little practice! With a variety of fun stitches at your fingertips, you can create different effects that bring your needlepoint projects to life- whether it's adding fine detail, bold texture, or a striking effect that makes your canvas pop. Learning a number of stitches not only expands your creative possibilities but also helps you customize patterns and keep your stitching experience fresh and exciting. Keep reading to learn more about some of my favorite stitches, when to use them, and how they will bring your canvases to life!
Understanding Needlepoint Stitches
When it comes to choosing the right needlepoint stitch, think about the size of the area you’re working on and the effect you want to achieve. The size of the stitch will dictate how quickly you move through a canvas. If you're covering larger areas and want to move quickly, look for larger stitches that take up more area. On the other hand, if you're stitching a small or intricate section that requires fine detail, a smaller, more precise stitch will give you better control (but it may take a bit more time). Decorative stitches can add extra flair, while simpler stitches help keep things smooth and subtle. Balancing speed, texture, and design will help you choose the best stitch for each part of your project!
Basic Needlepoint Stitches for Beginners
These three basic stitches are essential building blocks for beginners, giving you flexibility and style in your needlepoint designs!
Continental Stitch: A simple, diagonal stitch used to cover large areas on the needlepoint canvas.
- When to use it: Continental is great to use in small areas that require just a few quick stitches - otherwise, I typically opt for basketweave.
- Make it MJD: Stitch our Hugo Spritz canvas in continental!
Basketweave Stitch: A variation of the Tent Stitch that alternates directions to create a woven texture and help prevent canvas warping.
- When to use it: This stitch is ideal for filling in large areas where you want a flat finish. Although basketweave looks the same as continental from the front of your canvas, this stitch forms a “basketweave” design on the back of your canvas which makes it more stronger and durable. With that in mind- the basketweave stitch is perfect for a key fob or a belt….something that will get a lot of wear.
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Make it MJD: Stitch our Tied Up in A Bow canvas in basketweave!
Satin Stitch: A smooth, long stitch providing full coverage. This stitch can be worked in different directions—horizontal, vertical, or diagonal—depending on the look you want to achieve.
- When to use it: Use satin stitch when you want to create a smooth, sleek texture or fill in a shape with uninterrupted color. It’s perfect for elements that should stand out, like flower petals, monograms, or geometric patterns, and works best on small to medium-sized areas since longer stitches can snag or loosen over time.
- Make it MJD: Stitch our Mineral Water canvas in satin stitch!
Decorative Needlepoint Stitches
These decorative stitches are approachable and will give your projects depth and dimension!
Scotch Stitch: A block-like stitch made up of a series of diagonal stitches in a square or rectangular pattern.
- When to Use it: Scotch Stitch is excellent when you want to add a striking effect - think texture and depth! This stitch is great for covering larger areas efficiently while creating a slightly raised, woven effect. It works especially well for backgrounds, decorative borders, and geometric designs.
- Make it MJD: Stitch our Christmas Cookies canvas in Scotch Stitch (and check out our stitch guide for step by step details!)
Hungarian Stitch: A repeating pattern of slanted stitches in groups of three, creating a woven look.
- When to Use it: It's perfect for larger background areas, borders, and larger areas where you want a visually interesting yet structured look. The Hungarian Stitch is also great for high-wear areas since its overlapping structure helps prevent distortion and keeps the canvas well-covered. Try experimenting with different thread textures to enhance its unique effect!
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Make it MJD: Stitch the background of your favorite Bar Cart with hungarian stitch!
Rhodes Stitch: A decorative, spiraling stitch that creates a raised, textured square or circular effect.
- When to Use it: It’s a simple way to add a three-dimensional, eye-catching detail (and tons of visual interest) to any project. Use it in small areas for the best result.
- Make it MJD: Lots of stitchers love rhodes for the wheels of our Bar Carts!
Advanced Needlepoint Stitches
I say “advanced” but I promise, you can master these….! With a little practice, these stitches will start to feel as natural as basketweave.
Parisian Stitch: A vertical stitch pattern alternating between long and short stitches, creating a woven texture.
- When to use it: This stitch is perfect for filling medium-to-large background areas where you want a refined, woven look without too much bulk.
- Make it MJD: Stitch the background of any of your cocktail canvases with parisian - I recently stitched the background of the Gin & Tonic canvas with this stitch and absolutely love the way it turned out!
Double Brick Stitch: A variation of the basic brick stitch, using two different stitch lengths to create a staggered, textured effect.
- When to use it: Great for areas where you want a little more texture than a standard brick stitch—like landscapes, architectural details, or sections that need a staggered, woven appearance. It’s a great stitch for adding subtle shading and depth without making the piece too busy.
- Make it MJD: Budapest Hotel is perfect for this stitch! It will make tackling a large project go a lot faster.
Wicker Stitch: A textured needlepoint stitch that mimics the woven appearance of wicker baskets, creating a rich, interlaced effect. It’s made by alternating horizontal and vertical stitches in a structured pattern, giving the finished piece a dimensional, basket-weave look.
- When to use it: This stitch is great for backgrounds, textured accents, or any design where you want to add depth and visual interest. Because of its tight, interwoven structure, the Wicker Stitch provides excellent coverage and durability while adding a handcrafted, rustic charm to your needlepoint project.
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Make it MJD: Stitch our Flower Basket with Wicker Stitch!
Remember that learning a new stitch takes practice and a little patience. Keep in mind you will likely have to compensate as you experiment with new stitches and that there are no rules in needlepoint! If you’ve never stitched on stretcher bars, I definitely recommend giving them a try as you play around with different stitches because they can help keep even tension and prevent warping. Finally, there are tons of resources out there catered to all different types of learning styles. From Instagram reels, YouTube videos, blog posts to stitch books there is something for everyone. Check out our MJD Stitch Guides for step by step details on how to master new stitches!
Ready to start stitching?! Tag us in your next needlepoint work in progress, we’d love to see how you incorporate some of these new techniques!
XO,
Morgan
