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Oatmeal stitch icon
Oatmeal stitch

​Oatmeal stitch is made up diagonal rows of two different sizes of square stitches which are worked in the opposite direction from each other.

The smaller squares are like elements of reversed cushion stitch.

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Flat Parallel Pattern Filling Shading Canvaswork

Oatmeal stitch is generously sponsored by Paulette Dudley

Method

This stitch carefully interlocks two different stitches together. There are many stitches that follow this diagonal design and could be put together. For example, the smaller square could be replaced with a fan stitch.

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Oatmeal stitch method stage 1 illustration
Oatmeal stitch method stage 1 photograph
1

Begin by working a diagonal row of interlocking square stitches. Make a tent stitch across one intersection of the canvas.

Oatmeal stitch method stage 2 illustration
Oatmeal stitch method stage 2 photograph
2

and then below it make stitches across two, three, four, three, two then one intersection again to form a square.

Oatmeal stitch method stage 3 illustration
Oatmeal stitch method stage 3 photograph
3

Repeat step two across the diagonal of the area being worked (note that the stitch ‘encroaches’ which means there is only one of the shortest stitches where the squares meet).

Oatmeal stitch method stage 4 illustration
Oatmeal stitch method stage 4 photograph
4

Once this row is complete make the smaller square stitches in the spaces. These begin with a reversed tent stitch, then a stitch across two,

Oatmeal stitch method stage 5 illustration
Oatmeal stitch method stage 5 photograph
5

three, two then one intersection of the canvas.

Oatmeal stitch method stage 6 illustration
Oatmeal stitch method stage 6 photograph
6

Repeat these along the row. The longest of the stitches should touch at the corners.

Oatmeal stitch method stage 7 illustration
Oatmeal stitch method stage 7 photograph
7

The next row is a repeat of the first. The longest stitches of these squares should touch the longest stitches of the previous row of large diagonal squares.

Oatmeal stitch

Structure of stitch

Flat Parallel Pattern

Common uses

The two different directions of the stitches in this pattern give it an interesting texture. Oatmeal stitch has a fairly large pattern repeat, but it is good for back grounds.

Filling Shading

Embroidery Techniques

Canvaswork

Related Stitches

Reversed cushion stitch Condensed Scotch stitch

Identifying Oatmeal stitch

This stitch combines two different sizes of diagonal square stitches, which are worked in the opposite direction from each other.

References

  • Rachel Doyle, RSN Essential Stitch Guides: Canvaswork (2013) , p.73
  • Various Authors, The Royal School of Needlework Book of Embroidery (2018) , p.117