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Pineapple half drop stitch icon
Pineapple half drop stitch

​This canvaswork stitch is worked in vertical columns of crossed blocks of pineapple stitch, with a half drop to each column.  Pineapple stitch is a padded square stitch with a couched diagonal cross.

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Crossed Couched Filling Canvaswork

Pineapple half drop stitch is generously sponsored by Lady Frances Glanusk

Method

This is a medium- to large-sized stitch with a lot of texture and a fairly raised appearance. it can be used individually as a single motif.
This stitch can be worked in vertical and horizontal rows to make a grid. The stitch then becomes pineapple stitch. Note that the corners of the crosses should meet for pineapple stitch, and this leaves a small gap between the blocks. The final central stitch can be difficult to position correctly, the aid of a Mellor or large tapestry needle used on the surface may help to locate the correct canvas holes.

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Pineapple half drop stitch method stage 1 illustration
Pineapple half drop stitch method stage 1 photograph
1

Make four vertical stitches across four threads of the canvas to make a square block.

Pineapple half drop stitch method stage 2 illustration
Pineapple half drop stitch method stage 2 photograph
2

Next, bring the needle up one thread across from the top left-hand corner and take it down one thread across from the bottom right hand corner.

Pineapple half drop stitch method stage 3 illustration
Pineapple half drop stitch method stage 3 photograph
3

Make a second diagonal stitch across the block from the bottom left hand corner to the top right-hand corner. Always make the top stitch of the cross in the same direction.

Pineapple half drop stitch method stage 4 illustration
Pineapple half drop stitch method stage 4 photograph
4

Tie down the cross with a horizontal stitch across the centre of the cross (over one vertical canvas thread).  The stitch will appear diagonal because of how it lays over the cross.

Pineapple half drop stitch method stage 5 illustration
Pineapple half drop stitch method stage 5 photograph
5

Make the next block in the same way directly beneath the first, and continue in a vertical row.

Pineapple half drop stitch method stage 6 illustration
Pineapple half drop stitch method stage 6 photograph
6

For the next row to the right, begin the block two threads above the lower right-hand corner of the last block. The cross of the next row should tuck under the vertical edge of the previous row.

Pineapple half drop stitch

Structure of stitch

Crossed Couched

Common uses

Texture and filling

Filling

Embroidery Techniques

Canvaswork

Related Stitches

References

  • Rachel Doyle, RSN Essential Stitch Guides: Canvaswork (2013) , p.78
  • Various Authors, The Royal School of Needlework Book of Embroidery (2018) , p.120