Corduroy Stitch

Poppy Monk highlights corduroy stitch, which is perfect for backgrounds and clothing.  It makes good walls, too, especially if you have paneling.

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/spotlight-on-the-needlepoint-corduroy-stitch

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 24, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

"Friends,"Johanna Virtanen's Mystery Class

"Friends" by Johanna Virtanen is Bedecked and Beadazzled's Mystery class for Summer 2026. What do you think is going on between the cat and the bird?!  Ruth will gradually Reveal All and I'll update this mystery class as she does.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2026/04/these-two-are-up-to-something/

I'm stealing this background idea for sure!

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2026/06/a-garden-full-of-posies/

Now there is a tulip and lots and lots of polka dots!

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2026/07/tall-thin-polka-dotted/

There are more tulips now plus leaves.  It is really adorable.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2026/07/friends-and-a-whole-garden-of-tulips/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 13, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Tip for Stitching Background

Ever get confused working background stitches around central design elements?  Louise's Needlework has a great trick to make it easier.  You do have to work the background first, though, at least the area near the design element that breaks up the background.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1559860389473899&set=a.539149581544990

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 17, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A New Book from Mary Legallet UPDATED (Volume Five: Backgrounds)

Mary Legallet of Whimsical Stitch has a new book coming out in June.  Whimsical Stitches Volume Five is all about background stitches.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2026/04/something-new-for-your-stitch-library/

UPDATE:  Looks like this is a background stitch from Volume Five.

https://www.whimsicalstitch.com/whimsicalwednesdays/2026/06/03

UPDATE #2:  There are QR codes that you can scan with your phone to see stitched samples of the diagrams.

https://www.facebook.com/whimsicalstitch/posts/pfbid026W3G9hMMocwbYxaEQBabG15KS3dD8qzPcojJubsYwG6EtCH9LG98L4GnsXri4mw7l

UPDATE #3:  Stitchers Garden posted three screenshots of stitch diagrams from the book on their Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/stitchersgardenil/posts/pfbid02td3N91uHm4qdbDCxgKpSX8GYRjQuTsbYDmAm1JPfu9GszCfvvbnSqxTFAJ7CetgCl

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright Apri 22, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Four Fun Background Stitches

Let's wrap up February with some fun background stitches, courtesy of Poppy Monk.

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/needlepoint-kits-with-fun-background-stitches

When you are trying to choose a background stitch that is decorative, make sure you can do at least three repeats of the pattern.  Otherwise, the fancy stitch won't show up well and you are better off with something small and plain.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 5, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stripes are Slimming

We all have heard that stripes are slimming, but they are also great for needlepoint backgrounds.  Poppy Monk has an article about six different stitches for striped backgrounds, plus a tip for making the stripes dynamic if that's what you want for your background.

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/needlepoint-stitches-perfect-for-stripes

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright October 26, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Help Picking A Background Color

Ever find yourself stumped for a background color?  Fortunately for all of us, Kaffe Fassett is a master of color.  All you have to do when you have no idea what color to use is to visit Kaffe's website and browse.

https://www.kaffefassett.com/gallery/needlepoint/

A red flower?  Try teal green or a strong blue for the background.

Pink florals?  How about a strong terracotta?

Stitching vegetables?  How about a soft dove gray to set off those green leaves?

https://www.ehrmantapestry.com/our-designers/kaffe-fassett/

When stumped, consult an expert.  Then pull out threads from your stash in similar colors and arrange the skeins around the outside of your piece.  A color or two will pop out from the rest and there you go!

Kaffe knows color.  He'll help you know color, too.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 23, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Backgrounds and Borders

Morgan Julia Designs has written an essay pointing out how borders and backgrounds add personality to a design, using examples from her line of canvases.  It's thought-provoking.

https://2pwn4vood8npz2db-24770314300.shopifypreview.com/blogs/needlepoint-notes/going-beyond-the-edge-borders-backgrounds-that-bring-canvases-to-life?_kx=_J_rdnNvxpl-p5ox0M-sxKe_dW8vBdau0gAV5QbqAX3Q5z_adzzshb4gk-wH2HbP.RWeQns

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 27, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Great Stitches for Clothing, Hearts, Backgrounds, Circles and Flower Petals (plus a Star and a Brick)

Quail Run has posted a neat stitch and stitch diagram for the one they used for a hatband and collar on their Pilgrim turkey.  Since they are starting to post stitch diagrams for all sorts of things, I thought I'd gather them in one place.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1153806046774798&set=a.635108881977853

It's a double brick stitch variation, and not too difficult to do when stitching black on black like the hatband Mr. Turkey wears.  Gives his starched collar a nice look, too.

Quail Run has also posted a diagram for Ribbing Stitch, which is perfect for a knitted item.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1158088719679864&set=a.635108881977853

Next, the shop has posted two lovely heart stitches.

https://www.facebook.com/QuailRunNeedlework/posts/pfbid0dsGeCYRYipCDh4hHc35Tar33V9Jzwan9TQZEnvUf3sD6tYgRxzKTQArhESnWBSPNl

This simple background stitch will go fast.  It is an open stitch but you can add a tiny upright stitch over the empty canvas thread to take care of that.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1168822438606492&set=a.635108881977853

Here are stitch ideas for round spaces.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1179302014225201&set=a.635108881977853

Flower petals are next.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1181770873978315&set=a.635108881977853

And here is a star diagram, easily made larger if needed.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1186038726884863&set=a.635108881977853

Bricks are great made from Mosaic Stitch.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1197797579042311&set=a.635108881977853

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 22, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Bluebird

Melita copied a painted bluebird she received as a gift to create an original needlepoint.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/05/31/bluebird-for-sher/

She used a light coverage stitch over the shading in the background and stitched with a medium shade of the background cover, a tip she got from Amy Bunger.  I didn't know Amy had said this but in my own experience, a medium shade works very well in light coverage over complex shading.    You can also try a contrasting color or a metallic for a rich effect but this only works well on certain designs.  You'll have to experiment, but luckily light coverage stitches are easy to rip out if you don't like the effect.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 1, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Poppy Monk's Five Fun Stitches

Poppy Monk Needlepoint's blog has diagramed what they describe as "five fun needlepoint background stitches."

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/five-fun-needlepoint-background-stitches

The stitches are not your usual stitches, except for Diagonal Mosaic which is a personal favorite I use quite a bit.  Note that Poppy Monk recommends these for larger areas, although if you can do three full repeats, you can squeeze them in anywhere.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 15, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Martini Glasses with Stars from Mary Legallet

Mary Legallet of Whimsical Stitch has posted a really neat background stitch that I call Martini Glass with Stars.  (She calls it Martini with Snowflakes.)

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/340725528079365605/

Mary doesn't do stitch sequences on her diagrams and this is a darning stitch that is open with lots of blank canvas, so I suggest you experiment on scrap canvas to figure out the best way to stitch this to minimize dragged threads that will show on the front.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 9, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Love MHB Studio's Favorite Background Stitches: The Movie

Love MHB Studio has posted a video of their favorite background stitches, complete with examples, on their Instagram account.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DE74aizv4MH/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 21, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Poppy Monk Talks Balloon Stitch

Poppy Monk Needlepoint's latest blog post is all about the balloon stitch, a very useful background stitch.

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/spotlight-on-the-needlepoint-balloon-stitch

It's one of my favorites but I use a smaller scale version from Brenda Hart.  You can omit the horizontal stitches under each balloon stitch element but it's very pretty if you do the main stitch in silk and the horizontals in a coordinating metallic.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 13,  2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Let's Talk Blackwork

Sarah asked Lisa at BeStitched to talk about blackwork, especially for backgrounds.  Here is what Lisa says on the shop's Instagram page--

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBzkapBSrwx/?igsh=MWQ1ZGUxMzBkMA%3D%3D

The threads used in the examples were all perle type threads such as Soy Luster from Dream House Ventures

https://www.needlenthread.com/2008/10/soy-luster-embroidery-thread-made-from.html

Floche (DMC)

https://www.needlenthread.com/2016/09/3-good-reasons-to-try-dmc-floche.html

Elegance (Rainbow Gallery)

https://www.rainbowgallery.com/product/elegance/

Tranquility (Treenway Silks)

https://www.treenwaysilks.com/productlist.php?category=1&secondary=8

Petite Silk Lame Braid (Rainbow Gallery)

https://123stitch.com/Rainbow_Gallery_Petite_Silk_Lame_Braid.html

size 4 Kreinik very fine braid (Rainbow Gallery)

https://www.kreinik.com/store/Very-Fine-4-Braid.html

However, you can use any thread type.  It's just easier to do blackwork with a non-strandable thread.

If you aren't familiar with "tuck stitches" you can read about them here.  I call them the locking L, the pin stitch, etc.  

https://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2010/06/anchoring-ends-when-stitching-light.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright November 1, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tip on Counting Complex Background Stitches

One of the Wool and the Floss employees recently took a class from Ruth Schmuff and learned this tip on counting complex backgrounds.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C_lVPhaPWu_/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 8, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Two Lace Backgrounds Diagrammed

Stephanie at Ridgewood Needlepoint wanted a background that looked like lace, and finally settled on this two part beauty-

https://ridgewoodneedlepoint.com/new-stitch-monday-116/

She's also included a more solid background that also looks lacy.  Thanks, Stephanie!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 15, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Winter 2023 Mystery: Helen Heins Peterson's "Dragonflies"

Ruth Schmuf just announced her Winter 2023 Mystery class--Helen Heins Peterson's "Dragonflies," which features dragonflies, flowers, frogs and flying insects and a beetle.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2022/12/new-year-new-mystery/

As always, I'll add to this posting as Ruth posts class updates.  The first of four classes is February 5, so hurry to sign up if you are interested.

Ruth is like me and almost always does her backgrounds first.  These look really sparkly!

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2023/02/backgrounds-first/

Now we have leaves and stems (and bugs).

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2023/03/leaves-please/

There are sparkly wings and fuzzy bugs.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2023/03/sparkly/

The final step is frogs and tulips!  The frogs have big eyes and the tulips are really lovely.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2023/04/hi/

Here's the whole finished piece.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2024/01/a-slimey-limey-green-frame/

UPDATE:  This is Maria's version, made into a pillow.  Magnificent!

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=795081429438304&set=gm.7724033814340376&idorvanity=108537025890131

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 31, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Needlepoint Clubhouse Talks Backgrounds Behind Lettering.

This short posting on Instagram from The Needlepoint Clubhouse talks about backgrounds and wording.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CguOzjiFjiw/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.co

© Copyright August 2, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Three Unusual Backgrounds

Poppy Monk Needlepoint's blog talks about three unusual backgrounds to enhance a design.

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/three-little-known-needlepoint-stitches-for-background

The article has stitch diagrams for each, making it easy to incorporate one of these stitches into your current project.  Hint:  They don't have to be backgrounds, either.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 20, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.