The Bargello Stitch, also called the Florentine
Stitch and the Flame Stitch, is a simple stitch to sew, but
is used in a vast array of color patterns that have been used
for centuries on chair seats, pillows, etc.
Simply enough, the basic Bargello Stitch is nothing more than
a Gobelin Stitch covering 4 canvas threads.
The stitching order is as shown in the diagram below. Usually,
two stitches either line up (as in stitches 1-2 and 3-4) or
they are staggered by two canvas threads (as in 5-6 and 7-8).
The beauty of the Bargello Stitch is in
the many gorgeous patterns that can be stitched with it. Typically,
a Bargello pattern involves repeating a line of clustered
stitches in graduating shades of the same color. For example,
this pattern starts with 4 clusters of 3 stitches in light
yellow. The light blue is also stitched in clusters of 3,
except at the ends, where the cluster has only 2 stitches.
The medium blue follows the light blue pattern, adding single
stitches at the ends. The dark blue follows the medium blue,
with single stitches at the ends. The gradually reduced clusters
give the pattern a circular look. The dark and light pink
thread fills in the space between the circles as shown.
This pattern makes a lovely rainbow of spiral
bands, delineated with a band of black. The clusters follow
the pattern 6 x 1, 3 x 2, 2 x 3, 1 x 4, 2 x 3, 3 x 2, 6 x
1 (i.e. 6 clusters of 1 stitch each, 3 clusters of 2 stitches,
etc.)
This pattern is stitched in 6 tones of the
same color. The stitching folows the pattern :
Many bargello patterns use a combination
of long and short vertical stitches to make complicated wave-like
patterns, such as this one.
There are hundreds of Bargello patterns
that have been used for centuries, only a few of which are
shown here. I highly recommend checking a pattern book out
of the library and exploring some of the immense possibilities
of this stitch.
Hints:
Make sure that the yarn you use is fluffy
enough to cover the canvas between the vertical stitches.
