How to Make a Bargello Keyring

The letter E has been used in these instructions, but the full alphabet and full pattern grid are attached as downloadable templates below:

Alphabet Template Download.pdf

Pattern Grid Template Download.pdf

In Bargello, each stitch can be worked from bottom to top or from the top to the bottom. This project is stitched from bottom to top, using 5 alternating colours of yarn to create the design.

Using the alphabet template as a guide, cut out two of your preferred letters from the plastic canvas.

If you have access to a printer, print out the colour pattern grid and then similarly cut your chosen letter from this according to the template to create your letter pattern. Alternatively, draw the pattern on to an outline of your letter on squared paper.

Thread the needle with a 50cm length of BRIGHT GREEN yarn. Do not tie a knot at the end of the yarn.

Stitching of the pattern begins with the first full line according to your letter pattern, i.e., for the letter E shown, it is the bottom BRIGHT GREEN row. This gives you the basic shape of the pattern and makes the subsequent rows easier to follow.

To start stitching, insert the needle from the back to the front of the canvas at your start point (for the letter E shown, start from the bottom hole on the left-hand side of the canvas). Pull the yarn through to the front leaving a 2cm yarn tail at the back of the canvas. Each stitch uses 3 holes – having pulled the needle and yarn to the front through one hole, move up two holes and push the needle through to the back. Then pull the needle to the front through the bottom hole of next stitch and repeat

This pattern is made by stitching steps up to a peak then back down to form a zig zag patten. So, continue following the letter pattern stitching across the canvas to complete the first row.

When you reach the end of the row, turn the canvas over to the back and secure the yarn by weaving it through the back of the last few worked stitches. Trim off any excess yarn.

To start the 2nd row of the pattern, thread the needle with a 50cm length of DARK RED yarn.

For each stitch bring the yarn from the back to the front of the canvas through the same hole as the top of the stitch below (this forms the bottom of the current stitch). Continue to stich the zig zag pattern across the canvas as before.

Follow the letter pattern to complete the canvas, changing colours as needed. As you finish each row, weave the yarn tail through the matching colour, where possible, to avoid any colours showing through to the front of the initial.

You will find that some of the stitches are smaller but are important to complete the design.

As the finished project is double sided you now need to complete a second letter in the same way.

Remember to flip the letter over before you start stitching.

Once both letters are completed, put the wrong (back) sides together. To finish the canvas, a whip stitch is worked around the canvas edge.

Thread the needle with a 1m length of CREAM yarn. Starting at the middle of the top edge, insert the needle from the back of the front letter through to the front (so, this is through just one letter). Leave a 2cm yarn tail and catch it in between the two letters. From the back of the second letter, insert the needle into the next hole along, this will wrap the yarn around the edge of the canvas. Continue this stitch along the canvas edge.

At any corners, stitch through the corner hole three times: one for the first edge, one to cover the point at the corner, and one for the second edge. This covers the entire corner, so that the plastic doesn't show through.

Once the edging is complete, secure the yarn by weaving it through the back of the previously worked stitches. Trim off the extra yarn.

To make the loop at the top of the letter, thread the needle with 2 x 30cm length of the CREAM yarn. Insert the needle through the top left-hand corner of the letter.

Pull the yarn halfway through. Take off the needle and tie the yarn ends in a knot. Trim the ends to tidy.