Bel Canto – Free Bargello Needlepoint Pattern

This week we finish up the Bargello Bell series with a lovely bell. This pattern is, like Black Diamond, slightly more challenging. That’s because the two accent lines run in the opposite direction to the main pattern.

You’ll find stitching this easier if you follow the order of stitching outlined below.

Materials

• 5×7″ 18-mesh canvas
• 1 package metallic or partial metallic ribbon (model used Sparkle Rays)
• 3 packages stranded threads in shades of one color
• extra fine marking pen, safe for marking canvas
• coordinating metallic for the top (model uses white Treasure Braid)

Trace your bell shape onto canvas (find it here). You could also use other simple shapes, such as rounds, teardrops, eggs, or mini-socks. Because they are designed to be ornaments, always put a square topper at the top.

Begin by tracing your ornament outline onto your canvas using an extra fine permanent marker made for marking fabrics (I use Pigma Microns). Because Bargello uses straight stitches you might find your finished piece looks better if you color your shape in a light version of your main colors. Use thicker markers or acrylic paints to do this. The coloring does not have to be even.

Stitching the Bell

Begin to stitch by following the chart to make the lowest line of the darkest color. These are burgundy on the chart. (Click graph to see full-size chart.) When making the line you will have two gaps, one for each of the accent lines.

The line begins about 1/2″ down from the topper, along the right side of the bell.

Eagle eyes will notice that the chart and the model differ slightly. The chart has three single-stitch steps, while the model has four. Either one will work, it’s up to you.

Once your first line is stitched, park that thread in the unstitched margins. Using your accent thread and beginning at the upper gap, stitch the upper accent line, following the blue lines on the chart. The numbers of stitches in this line is exactly the same as the main line, the difference is the slant. The main line slants from upper right to lower left. The accent lines slant from upper left to lower right.

After the first accent line is stitched, stitch the lower accent line, once again beginning at the gap.

With both accent lines complete, you can now fill in the darkest color. Un park your thread and stitch the area above the first line row by row. Because both lines follow the same sequence you will not have any odd stitches.

Using the middle shade of thread, start to fill in the lines below the lowest completed line. The width of this area is up to you, I made seven rows.

Complete the bell by stitching with the lightest color.

Once the bell is stitched, make the top using your accent thread andNobuko, above.

Follow the series on-line

• Landscape Bargello
• Offset Swag
• Chain Mail and Harlequin Diamond
• Static
• Black Diamond
• Bel Canto

Come back next week for the start of a new series — a stitch sampler.