Nobuko Stitch is a wonderful decorative stitch to add to your needlepoint repertoire.

Nobuko creates a lovely woven-looking texture without becoming overly complicated. The alternating long and short diagonal stitches give the finished area movement and dimension, making it especially pretty on backgrounds and larger painted areas.

Once you understand the repeating rhythm, it is surprisingly relaxing to stitch.

What Is the Nobuko Stitch?

Nobuko is a diagonal decorative needlepoint stitch made from alternating long and short stitches.

The longer stitches travel diagonally across three canvas intersections, while the shorter stitches fill the spaces between them. As the rows are worked, the placement alternates so that a long stitch meets a short stitch in the neighboring row.

That alternating pattern is what creates Nobuko’s distinctive textured appearance.

It may look complicated when you first see the diagram, but don’t let that fool you. Think of it simply as:

Long stitch — short stitch — long stitch — short stitch.

Once your first couple of rows are established, the pattern becomes much easier to see.

How to Work Nobuko Stitch

I recommend learning Nobuko by working one horizontal row at a time.

Begin with your long diagonal stitches, carrying each long stitch over three canvas intersections. Continue across the row, leaving the appropriate spaces for the shorter stitches.

When you reach the end of the row, work back across the canvas, filling in the short diagonal stitches.

For the next row, offset the pattern. Where you had a long stitch above, the new row will position a short stitch beside it, and vice versa.

After two or three rows, you’ll begin to see that wonderful Nobuko pattern developing.

Where Can I Use Nobuko?

Nobuko is particularly effective when you have enough canvas space for the pattern to develop. I like it for backgrounds, clothing, larger ornaments, architectural areas, pillows, stockings, and areas where you want subtle texture without overwhelming the painted design.

It can also be beautiful for sky, walls and other larger areas where plain Tent Stitch might feel a little too flat.

For one of our smaller 4-inch BeeBee Designs canvases, I wouldn’t use Nobuko everywhere. One carefully chosen section is usually enough. Decorative stitches are most effective when they enhance the design rather than compete with it.

Choosing Thread

Nobuko looks beautiful in silk, wool, cotton and many specialty needlepoint threads.

A smooth silk can emphasize the clean diagonal lines, while wool gives the stitch a softer, fuller appearance. A slightly shiny thread can make the alternating stitches catch the light beautifully.

Remember that the longer stitches sit more prominently on top of the canvas. Avoid pulling them too tightly—you want them to lie smoothly across the mesh.

Also keep in mind that those longer stitches can be more vulnerable to snagging than Tent or Basketweave. For something that will receive considerable wear, use Nobuko selectively.

Is Nobuko Beginner-Friendly?

I would call it an adventurous beginner stitch.

If you’re comfortable bringing your needle up and down through the correct canvas intersections and can count to three, you can learn Nobuko. The trickiest part isn’t making the stitches—it’s establishing the pattern.

Give yourself a small practice area on spare canvas before using it on your project. After several rows, you’ll probably find yourself stitching almost automatically.

Try the Nobuko Stitch as a background. BeeBee Designs has several designs that are perfect for it.

Happy stitching,
BeeBee Designs