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This, the first patch in the Color through Gold Needlepoint Sampler, uses Rice Stitch. Because Rice is a layered stitch, it is done in two passes. This makes it easy to use different threads to take the best advantage of this technique.
Pick whether you want to emphasize color or gold. That thread will be on top. In my case, because the patches around the center emphasize gold, I decided to emphasize color here.
To stitch this patch, you will need:
- multi-color thread
- metallic gold thread
Your choice of threads can make a difference in how the stitch looks Thicker threads on top will obscure the bottom layer more. Thicker threads on the bottom, as is the case here, will make the cross at the center of each stitch less obvious.
Begin by making large diagonal Cross Stitches over three threads using the non-dominant thread (gold in my case).
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Rice is completed by crossing each leg of the larger Cross, creating the effect of boxing in that Cross. The complete stitch is diagrammed above.
You may find it hard to keep track of how each leg is to be crossed, I do sometimes. If this is the case with you, do not make the stitch in two passes but complete each stitch before starting the next stitch. If you use this method, use two needles, one for each thread, and park each color in the margin of the canvas after using it.
Come back every Tuesday for great free designs. Next Tuesday will feature new vintage charts. The next atch in this sampler will be the following Tuesday.
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Napa Needlepoint
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
This is such a brilliant idea! I have some gold mesh and can’t wait to start something on it! Thank you for sharing.