The Diagonal Mosaic stitch is a variation of the Mosaic stitch where the short and long stitches are worked in diagonal rows across the canvas, instead of in little squares. The result is a smooth, gently striped texture that covers the canvas well and works up quickly, ideal for backgrounds and larger areas.

• Best for: backgrounds, large areas, flowers and soft diagonal textures.
• Key tip: keep alternating short and long stitches, and always place a long stitch next to a short one from the row before.
• Difficulty: beginner-friendly.

How to Needlepoint Mosaic Diagonal Stitch - Video Tutorial

Here's a video tutorial we created to help you better understand how to make this needlepoint stitch.

Stitch Characteristics & Best Uses

• Stitch Structure: Flat, Condensed, Diagonal, Parallel
• Related Stitches: Mosaic Stitch, Scotch Stitch
• Recommended for: Small areas, Large areas, Backgrounds, Flowers

Step-by-Step Instructions & Diagram

You can see the diagram of this stitch below.

Row 1 (left to right, upward diagonals):

• Make an upward diagonal stitch over one intersection (small stitch).
• Move the needle to the right and make another parallel upward diagonal stitch, skipping one canvas hole in between (longer stitch).
• Make a third upward diagonal stitch like the first one (small stitch), but one row below the other two.
• Continue this sequence of alternating small and longer upward diagonal stitches diagonally across the row.

Row 2 (right to left, upward diagonals):

• Work from right to left.
• Make an upward diagonal stitch that is the opposite length of the stitch directly above it in the first row (if there's a longer stitch above, make a small one, and vice versa).
• Continue alternating between small and longer upward diagonal stitches diagonally across the row.

Next rows: stitch the third row exactly like the first one (left to right, alternating small and longer upward diagonals), and so on.

Want the classic version? See the Mosaic stitch, or the Mosaic Checker stitch for a checkerboard effect.

Get Inspired: Stitch Guides & Ideas

Happy stitching :)