100 Stitches - Rice Stitch

Time for another 100 Stitches post.  This beautiful stitch is the Rice Stitch.  This is actually two stitches that are combined.   I don't know why it is called the Rice Stitch...I think a better name would be the Argyle Stitch!  That is what the pattern looks like to me :)  Isn't this a lovely color combination? The floss that I am using is perle cotton.  The black is DMC 310 and the pink is DMC Color Variations 4180.

This is another stitch from the Canvas Embroidery section, you can read about the different types of canvas I have been using for this category {here}.

This first stitch is a Cross Stitch.  It is worked over four squares in each direction.  To start, I came up through the fabric:

Then I counted four squares to the left and four squares above where my floss first emerged and went back into the canvas:

Pull through and then count four squares down and come back up through the canvas:

Next, count four squares to the right and four squares above and go back into the canvas:

Pull through and that completes the first cross stitch:

Just continue in the same fashion

until you have as many Cross Stitches as you want for your stitching line:

Now for the next part of the combination.  This is a series of diagonal stitches that are worked over the arms and legs of the Cross Stitches.

First, work the right side of the first Cross Stitch.  Come up through the canvas in the bottom center square of the Cross Stitch:

Pull all the way through and make a slanting stitch by going back into the canvas two squares to the right and two squares above where your floss just emerged:

Pull all the way through and now come up through the canvas two squares above and two squares to the left:

Form another slanting stitch by going back into the canvas two squares to the right and two squares below:

Next, come up through the canvas where you originally started:

This time, work the left side of the first cross stitch in the same way:

All the way across:

Here is a look at the underside of this stitch - a lot going on!

This looks complicated but is really very easy and so pretty!

This is stitch number 87 and is from the Canvas Embroidery Section of 100 Stitches.

This was the last stitch on my 100 Stitches list!  I have learned every one of the stitches from this book. 

Because I want to keep learning stitches and improving my embroidery skills,  I have compiled a list of stitches that I would like to learn.  These are all stitches that I like the look of, that present a challenge to learn and most importantly, that I see myself actually using on embroidery projects.

I will post all about my new list soon!