clear navigate_before

Scottish squares icon
Scottish squares

  • Scottish stitch
  • Scotch stitch
  • Framed Scotch stitch
  • Cushion stitch

This stitch is a version of cushion stitch (five diagonal stitches which form a square), framed by a grid of tent stitch.

In common with the other versions of this stitch, it is known by various names, some of which are used interchangeably for the different versions.

add_circleMy Stitches
Flat Framed Filling Canvaswork

Scottish squares is generously sponsored by Anne Rowan

Method

The same pattern can be completed using a single colour for the cushions as well as the frame and is often referred to as cushion stitch.

pan_tool
Scottish squares method stage 1 illustration
Scottish squares method stage 1 photograph
1

Work a diagonal stitch from bottom left to top right, over one intersection.

Scottish squares method stage 2 illustration
Scottish squares method stage 2 photograph
2

Then over two and three intersections

Scottish squares method stage 3 illustration
Scottish squares method stage 3 photograph
3

and finally over two and one intersections to complete a square cushion.

Scottish squares method stage 4 illustration
Scottish squares method stage 4 photograph
4

Leaving a gap of a single thread, repeat the square cushions across the shape to complete a row.

Scottish squares method stage 5 illustration
Scottish squares method stage 5 photograph
5

Surround the cushions with a single line of tent stitch either in the same or a contrasting colour.

Tent stitch
Scottish squares method stage 6 illustration
Scottish squares method stage 6 photograph
6

Continue to add more square cushions to fill the area.

Scottish squares method stage 7 illustration
Scottish squares method stage 7 photograph
7

Complete by framing the whole area with a single line of tent stitch.

Scottish squares

Structure of stitch

A composite pattern, made up of diagonally placed stitches which form a square, it is then surrounded by short diagonal stitches on the same orientation, each over one intersection.

Flat Framed

Common uses

Filling

Embroidery Techniques

Canvaswork

Related Stitches

Cushion stitch

Identifying Scottish squares

Scottish stitch is framed with a tent stitch of a contrasting shade or colour to the square cushions.

References

  • Mary Thomas’s Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches (1934) , p.152
  • Jennifer Campbell, Ann-Marie Bakewell, Guide to Embroidery Stitches (2004)