Cool Runnings Free Scrap Bag Needlepoint Project

This month’s Scrap Bag Needlepoint uses an analogous color scheme to create a square deign that uses a variety of non-metallic threads in a cool color scheme. The design starts with diagonal rows of Reverse Giant Pillow Scotch and Giant Pillow Scotch, below left and right. Each diagonal should be stitched in one thread. The two diagonals intersect in a square of four of the stitches in the center.

This design is trickier than many of the other designs in this series. If you stitch it in the order described here, you’ll find it easier. The longer pointed patches always end with a Half Scotch or Reverse Half Scotch, below top and bottom, and are based on square blocks 5 threads square (like the blocks in the diagonals). Each of these is one block different than the blocks next to it.

Threads & Colors

The project uses threads in an analogous color scheme of green, blue, and violet. One multi-colored thread with all the colors is used. The same threads are used in diagonally opposite corners.

In addition to the pointed patch threads (6 total), you will need 2 threads for the diagonal rows of square blocks, and one thread for the Tent Stitch border. A background thread will be needed for the ends of the pointed patches and for the corner blocks.

The finished design is about 4″ square, so you will need an 8″ square of 18-mesh canvas for this project.

Stitching the Design

1. Stitch the two diagonal rows of square blocks.
2. Stitch one quarter at a time. Begin by stitching the two shortest blocks coming out at right angles from the ends of the diagonal rows. They are one Scotch Stitch (or Reverse Scotch), below, plus the Half Scotch to match the model.









3. Stitch the middle pointed blocks. The rectangular portion of this block is the same length as the entire patch of the adjacent completed block. It is Diagonal Gobelin or the Reverse over 5 threads, below.







4. Square off the pointed patch by completing the Half Scotch.
5. Stitch the longest pointed patch. The rectangular part of this patch is the same length as the entire middle pointed patch. It is Diagonal Gobelin or the Reverse over 5 threads, above. Complete the Half Scotch. This is goes to the outside edge of the design.
6. Fill in the background rectangular patches for the other two pointed patches.
7. Repeat this process for the other three quadrants.
8. After all the quadrants are complete, stitch the Tent Stitch binding all around the outside edge of the design.
9. Fill in the corner blocks in the stitch of your choice. I used Triple Diagonal Parisian, below.

The process sounds much harder than it is to stitch. Because the lengths of adjacent blocks are related to each other, you do not need the entire design charted to make this. Your project can grow oeganically.