Squares can be a great highlight to any needlepoint design and there are a number of stitches to choose from, too!
Squares can be a great highlight to any needlepoint design and there are a number of stitches to choose from, too! Whether your squares are structural or just a pop of whimsy on your canvas, here are some of our favorite square stitches:
#1 - Mosaic Stitch Mosaic stitches come in a variety of manners, including the straight Mosaic Stitch, Diagonal Mosaic, Elongated Mosaic stitches and more. With its simple “short-long-short” diagonal design, the Mosaic Stitch is easy to master and easy to compensate. Choose the Mosaic Stitch when you need a smaller square shape.
#2 - Scotch Stitch If you love the Mosaic Stitch (and it’s hard not to!), then you’ll enjoy the Scotch Stitch as well. Just like the Mosaic Stitch, the Scotch Stitch has a number of variations, including Alternating Scotch Stitch (great for borders!) and the Diagonal Scotch Stitch. After all, the Scotch Stitch is the bigger, older cousin to the Mosaic Stitch and has similar features to complement your canvas. Choose this stitch to make the bigger square elements stand out more from other pieces of the canvas!
#3 - Rhodes Square Is there anything a Rhodes Stitch can’t do? We vote no. Rhodes Stitch continues its tradition of versatility with the Rhodes Square. Unlike the Mosaic or Scotch Stitches, the Rhodes variation builds stitches on top of itself, creating a more knobbed appearance. Depending on the scene your square element finds itself in, you may prefer the Rhodes Stitch look! Below, see Rhodes Square over 2, Rhodes Square over 3, and Rhodes Square over 4.
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Skill Levels
Level 1
Learning the foundation stitches, Tent, Continental and Basketweave Stitch. Learning the appropriate way to start and end threads. Chooses clearly defined designs with plenty of background and no shading. Likes to work large areas of one stitch that requires no compensation. Comfortable with using floss, pearl cotton, merino wool and/or tapestry wool.
Level 2
Expanding on foundation stitches and learning Alternating Continental, T-Stitch, Brick Stitch and its variations. Learning to read stitch diagrams that also include verbiage. Starting to learn how to compensate a stitch that cannot be completed within a defined area. Working with a mixture of single strand and pliable threads on one project to add depth and dimension. Adding stitches that build off of Tent such as Mosaic, Scotch and Cashmere.
Level 3
Learning more complicated stitches such as Rhodes, Byzantine, and Herringbone. Also adding composite stitches into repertoire such as Criss-Cross Hungarian. Reads stitch diagrams with or without numbers and verbiage. Understands compensation. Adding textured threads including man-made fibers intended for metallic, sparkly, and fluffy effects to projects and can work through shading effectively. Uses a stitch guide for projects and sticks to it. Comfortable plying and or blending threads.
Level 4
Enjoys a good stitch guide but is willing to dismiss parts in order to incorporate personal artistic interpretation. Has a library of "go to" stitches and can work through all variations of Turkey Work, Jessica Stitch, Crescent Stitch and Openwork Background stitches. Comfortable compensating in complex design areas. Ok with random stitches such as long and short stitches. Views a stitch guide as just a guide and is comfortable using stitches other than what is recommended.