Three Hungarian Needlepoint Stitch Variations

A Hungarian stitch is characterized by the diamond shaped pattern it forms.  Here are three variations of the Hungarian stitch that are more complicated and allow use of various textures and colors: the Hungarian Ground, The Hungarian Diamond Variation and the Horizontal Hungarian Variation.

 

The Hungarian Ground is the simplest of the three variations.  It is basically the Hungarian stitch interspersed with a bargello.

Here's what the Hungarian Ground stitch looks like when it's stitched.

Here's how you work the Hungarian Ground stitch.

Work the Hungarian Ground stitch in horizontal rows.  First stitch the bargello pattern (green), then fill in with the Hungarian (grey).  The bargello is a series of vertical stitches over 4.  Go up 3 and then back down in an inverted v pattern.  The top stitches should meet.  You will be left with holes to fill in the Hungarian stitch.  

The Hungarian Diamond Variation is more complicated and for the intermediate or advanced stitcher.  The Hungarian diamond variation features clusters of Hungarian stitches, with a diamond stitch interspersed.  

Here's what the Hungarian diamond variation stitch looks like when it's stitched.

Here's how you work the Hungarian Diamond Variation stitch.

The Hungarian diamond variation features clusters of Hungarian stitches, with a diamond stitch interspersed.  All the stitches are done vertically.  This time, start with the clusters of Hungarian stitches (grey stitches).  Work from left to right.  Stitch one set of three stitches, skip 3 spaces and do another set.  In the second row, the inside Hungarian stitches share the smaller stitch (blue).  The small stitches share spaces with the small stitches in the rows above and below. The third row is the same as the first.  The next set of clusters falls immediately below the first. 

The Hungarian Horizontal Variation stitch is done horizontally.  It gives a different perspective from the other two stitches.

Here's what the Hungarian Horizontal variation stitch looks like when it's stitched.

Here's how you work the Hungarian Horizontal Variation stitch.

This time all your Hungarian stitches are done horizontally.  The Hungarian stitch is your filler stitch.  The main stitch is done over 6-4-2-4-6 (green stitches).  Do them first.  Each set of 5 horizontal stitches is offset from the row below.  This stitch is most effective if you use 2 different colors, one for the longer horizontal stitches and one for the interspersed Hungarian stitch.

Try any of the Hungarian variation stitches on open fields of flowers.  Stitch the longer stitches in green, the smaller stitches in red, yellow, pink or purple.

Or, use one color of 2 different types of thread for the background, of "Feed Me", for example.

Here's Some Useful Info

• All of the Hungarian variation stitch uses straight stitches so you won't get the same canvas coverage as you do with an oblique stitch. Therefore, either thicken your thread or expect some of the canvas to show through.
• These stitches look best in large areas and with two different colored threads. Don't switch your threads mid pattern - ie: use one thread for the bargello in the Hungarian ground, another for the Hungarian stitches.
• Use the thicker thread for the larger stitches, the embellishment (glisten, kreinik, for example) on the shorter stitches.
• We find it easier to compensate as we go with this stitch i.e. sometimes you'll need to do shorter stitches to fit the edges of the space you're filling. This is called compensating and it can be done at the end, but as mentioned, we like to add these shorter stitches as we go.