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Rice stitch (canvaswork) icon
Rice stitch (canvaswork)

  • Crossed corners
  • William and Mary stitch

This is a large cross stitch with a diagonal stitch over each of its corners to form four small crosses.

Rice stitch was used as one of the core stitches of Java canvas embroidery (named for the origin of the fabric, rather than the technique).  It was popular in Scotland during the second half of the 18th century when it was used in graduating shades to work geometric designs. It also had a resurgence in the late 19th century.

add_circleMy Stitches
Crossed Pattern Filling Shading Canvaswork Rug-making

Rice stitch (canvaswork) is generously sponsored by Gillian A. Mitchell

Method

Rice stitch can be worked larger or smaller, as long as it is across a square of any number of even threads.

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1
Rice stitch (canvaswork) method stage 1 illustration
Rice stitch (canvaswork) method stage 1 photograph
1

Begin by making a cross stitch across four by four threads of canvas. Make sure that the top stitch is always bottom left to top right.

2
Rice stitch (canvaswork) method stage 2 illustration
Rice stitch (canvaswork) method stage 2 photograph
2

Now beginning at the top left-hand corner make a diagonal stitch across two intersections of canvas, crossing the corner of the first cross.

3
Rice stitch (canvaswork) method stage 3 illustration
Rice stitch (canvaswork) method stage 3 photograph
3

Repeat at each corner, so that these stitches meet at the centre points of the sides of the cross.

4
Rice stitch (canvaswork) method stage 4 illustration
Rice stitch (canvaswork) method stage 4 photograph
4

Repeat the rice stitch block in horizontal rows.

Rice stitch (canvaswork)

Structure of stitch

Cross stitch

Crossed Pattern

Common uses

This is a good basic medium sized stitch. It is a little raised and has an even textured appearance. It can be used as a single motif or as part of a pattern.

Filling Shading

Embroidery Techniques

Canvaswork Rug-making

Related Stitches

Cross stitch Alternating cross stitch

References

Examples of Rice stitch (canvaswork)

Mary Wiggin sampler

This 1797 sampler uses rice stitch to work the zigzag edges in golden yellow and grey-green. They are worked as isolated stitches, rather than to fill an area

Image courtesy Philadelphia Museum of Art, accession #1969-288-18

https://philamuseum.org/collection/object/108214