Updated December 28, 2021.
Needlepoint damask, a technique that uses Tent Stitch and contrasting textures of thread, is a marvelous way to make needlepoint backgrounds. You get a subtle pattern, but nothing which overwhelms.
The picture above is a damask pattern based on a Chinese lattice which I used on a lovely purse from Whimsy & grace.
There’s also a page, with samples and patterns, about the technique to All about Needlepoint. But I can’t stop thinking about these delightful patterns. So I’ve come up with some others and I want to share them with you today.
This is another Chinese pattern, but one based on an overall design you will see in fabric and in paintings. I call it Chinese Key. Because it is a small overall pattern, it works particularly well on smaller pieces. I’ve used it as backgrounds for pincushions and boxtops.
Curvy Zig-zag, pictured above, is a stripe pattern, but one which has curves. It works well when you want a vertical background, but not one with a strong pattern. The smaller the contrast in textures between the two threads, the more subtle this pattern will be.
This check is a simple houdstooth check.
A more complex pattern, this damask will use three textures. Enhance the crosses in the center of half the diamonds by making them as tiny Cross Stitches in a thread like metallic. The result will be elegant
I’m going to challenge you to make your own needlepoint damask patterns. Email me with your chart as a JPG to napaneedlepoint @ gmail.com (remove the spaces please) with it as an attachment and I’ll do another post with your patterns.
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
Madonna says
Oooh, I like these Janet. Thank you.