Triplets

Today's #smallspacesunday is a hybrid stitch inspired by two separate posts in my Pinterest feed.  The first is a stitch diagram and the second is a photo of a different stitch.  Needless to say, I couldn't find the photo again so I started playing to recreate what I thought I found.

The end result is what I am calling the Triplet stitch.  It's a riff on the Horizontal Pairs I shared earlier this month, but with groups of three stitches (instead of two).  

Triplets.jpg

This is really a perfect multi-purpose stitch.  It's ideal for tall narrow spaces.  I like it for a floor, chimney, sweater, small toy bag, water, greenery.  Really, almost anything.

This stitch diagram, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells stitch guides for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, and Patience Brewster (Kate Dickerson Designs).  30 guides are currently available, including two new additions for Patience Brewster (visit them here and here), and more are (still!) in the pipeline. 

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch.  Enjoy!

New Year...New Source

Happy New Year!  I hope your new year brings you everything you wish for.  And I certainly hope you continue to wish for needlepoint stitches because that is what I'm here for (other than keeping the cats housed, warm, and fed).

The month of January will be dedicated to stitches and techniques I discovered on Pinterest.  This does not mean these stitches don't exist elsewhere; it's simply I discovered them (and their corresponding source website or blog) on Pinterest.  And, for that, thank you to all who knowingly or unknowingly contributed to my library.

I must acknowledge the complicating factors with Pinterest, specifically permissions.  I make every effort to repost all things needlepoint from websites or blogs, meaning they can be linked to the original source.  I prefer to post items with the responsible party (or site) clearly marked in the photo.  This allows me to give credit where credit is due, whether that is Sheena's Sweet Stitches, Robin King, or the Needle Works (three of the most common diagram sources I stumble across in Pinterest-land).

I will not pin photos of pages from stitch diagram books, as that is an outright copyright violation.  (So, stop it!)  I can't figure out where photos of hand-drawn stitch diagrams fall on this spectrum, so I try to avoid pinning them altogether.  I re-pin photographs of stitched objects because, technically, they are in the public domain once anyone posts a photograph of their work in progress on a social media site.  I view them as stitched samples in stores...great inspirations and sometimes mysterious because they don't come with a detailed diagram.  The bottom line?  I try to learn as much as I can while respecting the original teachers.  With all of these caveats aside, let's get back to Pinterest inspiration.  

Embroidery on Pinterest has been a huge inspiration for me.  It aligns with my fondness for stumpwork and helps me broaden my own style.  

Stumpwork is an embroidery style where elements are raised from the surface of the canvas to form a 3-dimensional effect.   I knew I wanted the leaves to pop with a small accent on Sprung, but also wanted to make it easy for students of all skill levels.  Here's the original pin that provided the inspiration.  The black leaf was the catalyst for the leaves on Sprung. Here is how it worked (from the actual whimsicalstitch.com stitch guide).

And here is a close up of the end result.

Sprung is now one of my personal favorites...for several reasons.  It challenged me to stretch my style, it makes me smile when I look at it, and it's adorable.

This stitch diagram, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells stitch guides for Melissa Shirley Designs and Zecca Designs.  28 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch!  Enjoy!

A Sweet and Simple #smallspacesunday

And a very sincere Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Holidays to one and all.  To get over the hangover of the holidays, here's a sweet and easy small space stitch that adds a little somethin' somethin' to what may be a boring space.

While this is an absolute riff on the Alternating Plain Needlepoint post I did a few weeks ago, there is something about the texture of the French Knots that make this stand out.  On the stitched sample below, you can see I had nothing but small spaces.  The French Knot texture, along with the thread color, helped further differentiate the area.

These stitch diagrams, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells stitch guides for Melissa Shirley Designs and Zecca Designs.  28 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.  I'm hoping to have some definitive news to share about projects in the pipeline very soon!

Okay, back to whatever you are doing!  I hope it is not cleaning up as that is what children and grandchildren are for.  Hope you have/had a wonderful holiday.   Only nine months until next year's holiday finishing deadline!  Hurry!

Magical Milanese

I've never chatted about Milanese before, so why not start with a large, dramatic Milanese stitch?

Milanese stitches are diagonal stitches, typically in groups of four with each stitch one row wider than the previous.  The resulting element looks like a triangle or an arrowhead.  Today's stitch idea blows this up into a group of six stitches for each triangle.

Let's start with the diagram.

The triangles are in diagonal columns.  Every row of an individual triangle aligns with a specific row in the triangle on either side (going in the opposite direction).  I use the "total" to determine which stitch (of the triangle) is in the next diagonal column of triangles.  In the above example, the total is seven (7).  The sixes match to the ones; the fives match to the twos; the fours match to the threes.  The "total" counting method helps me easily add subsequent columns and is a real help when adding compensation stitches.  Honestly, it keeps me sane.  I recommend stitching the triangles first and return to add the accent stitches (the aqua lines).

The stitched sample on Instagram takes this concept one step further by alternating finishes for the diagonal columns of triangles.

The diagram below is the exact same as above, but I changed the color of alternating columns to align it with the stitched sample for clarity.

 

Since Milanese is a dramatic stitch that stands out, I think it calls for substantial, full coverage threads.  The stitched sample uses Very Velvet and Frosty Rays.  Both of those threads add a certain puff to the stitched sample.  Confetti or Rachelette would be a fun alternative for the Frosty Rays.  Right now, I am pondering how fun it could be to use Gloriana's Chenille for the triangles (on 13-mesh). 

Other substantial threads, albeit with less puff, are Silk & Ivory, Planet Earth Wool, Planet Earth Silk, or Kreinik Metallics (size 12 or 16).  Fyre Werks and Flair are great metallic threads to consider as well.  While they may appear lighter weight, they are great threads as they lie flat and wide.  They make great accent threads.

These stitch diagrams, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells stitch guides for Melissa Shirley Designs and Zecca Designs.  28 guides are currently available, including the newest Tea by the Sea, and more are in the pipeline.

I hope you enjoy this stitch and have the perfect spot for it!  Enjoy!

Sassy Small Stitch

The stitch itself isn't sassy.  I think it's kinda cute.  My name for it is a little sassy.  It's a riff on the recent Star Octagon theme.  I present Collapsed Star Octagon.

The stitch has the same core element as the Star Octagon, specifically an element over 1-2-1-2-1 rows.  As with the Star Octagon, it alternates directions but from a different point.

I added a bead to the emerging intersection, though that is just one idea.  Alternately, you could leave it empty.

Or add a Cross Stitch for a small quilted look.

The stitched sample on Instagram illustrates the middle diagram (without an accent).  It uses Pepper Pot Silk on 13-mesh.

These stitch diagrams, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells stitch guides for Melissa Shirley Designs and Zecca Designs.  28 guides are currently available, including the newest Tea by the Sea, and more are in the pipeline.

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch!  Enjoy!

You're a Square!

I choose to take that alleged insult as a compliment, thank you very much.

Today's post is really about utilizing complementary stitches in shared spaces.  My case study is a dress on an ice skater.  The shared space is the dress and I used two different square stitches for the bodice and the skirt.  I made that choice because of the tiny waist, blouse, and arms.  I also wanted something to stand out.  Once I landed on a standout stitch for the skirt, I selected a similar stitch on a smaller scale for the blouse.

The blouse is stitched in a simple Mosaic stitch and the skirt is a fun 5X5 layered square.

The stitched sample used Neon Rays on 13-mesh.  What I like about Neon Rays for this application is how smooth and flat it is.  It lays perfectly (with a little help from a laying tool).  

Layered Squares with Neon Rays (on 13-mesh) on this morning's http://whimsicalstitch.com/whimsicalwednesdays blog post. #needlepoint #whimsicalstitch #rainbowgallery #neonrays #home #love #excusethecathair

50 Likes, 0 Comments - whimsicalstitch.com (@whimsicalstitch) on Instagram: "Layered Squares with Neon Rays (on 13-mesh) on this morning's..."

If you want a more pronounced lift with a metallic thread, use a more defined and substantial thread such as Kreinik Metallic (size 8 on 18-mesh and size 12 on 13-mesh).  For a flatter matte finish, use a stranded floss (silk or cotton) with a laying tool.   

This stitch diagram, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells stitch guides for Melissa Shirley Designs and Zecca Designs.  28 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

Enjoy!

Large and in Charge

Today's stitch is a doozy.  With the exception of the Smyrna crosses and any required compensation stitches, the smallest stitch is over four rows.  As much as I advocate for Plain Needlepoint, on certain days a small stitch can be no smaller than four rows.  I give you Double Square Diamonds.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

This is one of those stitches where the diagram looks kinda "meh."  I recommend doing the aqua lines first, followed by the light gray lines, and end with the Smyrna Crosses.  Take a look at the stitched sample for a moment to see how wonderful it can be. 

I love the concept of stitching the smallest lines (the straight light gray lines) in a different color.  In my opinion, it is what makes this stitch stand out.  This also provides more thread combination possibilities.  The stitched sample uses three threads with two finishes with related color values.  To translate the photo to the diagram, the aqua and light gray lines are matte finishes (in related colors) and the darkest gray lines utilize a metallic thread (in a related color).  

Another approach is to stitch the light gray lines (both straight and diagonal) in a lightweight metallic with a wonderful single ply silk for the aqua lines.  I also love the idea of stitching the three colored lines in three different colors.  For example, this could make a great coat for Santa with a matte red thread for the aqua lines, a gold metallic for the straight light gray lines, a red metallic for the diagonal gray lines, and a purple metallic for the Smyrna Cross.  

You could do the whole things in a single hue...let's say a blue sky.  Stitch the aqua lines in a pearl cotton.  Stitch the vertical light gray lines in Flair and the diagonal light gray lines in a lightweight Kreinik Metallic (Fine Braid #8 on 13-mesh and Very Fine Braid #4 on 18-mesh). Stitch the Smyrna Crosses in the same Flair or the same Kreinik Metallic. 

This stitch diagram, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells stitch guides for Melissa Shirley Designs and Zecca Designs.  28 guides are currently available, including the newest Tea by the Sea, and more are in the pipeline.

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch!  Enjoy!

A Beading TBT

Today's TBT is Traditional Beading.

The diagram for this stitch, along with other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.   

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells stitch guides for Melissa Shirley Designs and Zecca Designs.  28 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

Enjoy!

Random Wonderfulness

I stumbled across this stitch on Pinterest* a few months ago.  I had never seen it before and have used it multiple times since.  It looks complex, but is the farthest thing from it.  I named the stitch Horizontal Pairs.

The amount of symmetry in this stitch makes it so easy.  I named it as I did to draw your attention to the fact each row of pairs aligns on the horizontal axis.  Add two stitches over two rows, skip two rows on the horizontal, and repeat.  It's that easy!  (Just don't forget to change directions between the complete horizontal rows.)

The end result looks far more advanced than the stitch really is.  I love it so!

As for threads, virtually anything works.  So far, I've only done the stitch in one color with one thread.  The stitched sample on Instagram uses Vineyard Silk on 18-mesh.  It would look great with rows in alternating colors or thread finishes.  

This stitch diagram, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells stitch guides for seasonal Melissa Shirley designs.  28 guides are currently available, including the newest Tea by the Sea, and more are in the pipeline.

Enjoy!

* Speaking of Pinterest, the month of January will focus on stitches and techniques I discovered on Pinterest.

The Smallest of All

At the heart of all needlepoint is the single, simple needlepoint stitch.  There are several names for what I call Plain Needlepoint.  You may see it called Plain Needlepoint, Tent, Basketweave, Half Tent, Continental, or combinations of those.  They are all variations of the same theme, specifically a single stitch laid diagonally (at a 45 degree angle) over an intersection from the lower left corner to the upper right corner.

Simply put, the methods vary in sequence, coverage, and look on the back of the canvas. However, they all look the same on the front of the canvas.  Continental and Basketweave are the two primary methods I use for Plain Needlepoint and I recommend each for specific applications.

Basketweave is my primary and preferred method.  It provides consistent and even coverage on both the front and back of a canvas.  In addition, basketweave minimizes the need for blocking a canvas after it has been stitched.    

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Beginning in the upper right corner, add a stitch.  Move to the row to the left and begin the second row of stitching…going down the diagonal row.  Repeat this sequence up and down the area, always on the diagonal rows.   The first diagram illustrates the concept.  The second diagram illustrates each diagonal row by color to clearly separate the rows.

 
Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

The Continental stitch covers each horizontal row in sequential order, both across and down, ending with a similar look as Basketweave.

Starting in the upper right corner, add the first stitch and move across the horizontal row to the left.  When you complete the first row, you (literally) turn your canvas upside down and repeat the same stitch going back across the second row.  You alternate the direction of the canvas for each row.  (In the diagram, the canvas is upright for black stitches and upside down for turquoise stitches.)

If you do the turquoise rows with the canvas upright, the typical mistake is to start from the lower left corner and end in the upper right corner.  This results in one tiny vertical stitch covering the row on the back of the canvas, leaving the area open to light and an uneven appearance on the front of the canvas.

 

My preferred combination is Continental stitch for any single row of needlepoint, such as an outline, window frame, or simple flower stem.  For any areas wider or longer than one row in either direction, I use the Basketweave stitch. 

Plain Needlepoint is a classic and good looking stitch.  It is a nod to tradition and is quite elegant on its own, especially when used to add shading to an area.  I don't have that many rules about needlepoint.  However, I feel very strongly that all needlepoint projects should have spaces dedicated to Plain Needlepoint.  I love decorative stitches and Plain Needlepoint helps set them apart and gives the eye someplace to rest.  It's a matter of balance. 

These stitch diagram, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com has a book for you! Mary’s Whimsical Stitches is a contemporary how-to collection of more than 250 stitches for stitchers regardless of skill level. The book includes updated and sequenced diagrams from this blog, all-new stitches, and a chapter on the basics of needlepoint. For more information, visit here.

whimsicalstitch.com also sells Stitch Guides and Stitch Concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, Sandra Gilmore, Purple Palm, Maggie, and Penny MacLeod, and many more. Click here to see the newest guides and click here to see the entire collection.

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Please enjoy! Have a wonderful #whimsicalwednesday!

A Note about Diagrams
I use color in diagrams to make them as clear as possible.  The primary function of different colored lines is to illustrate a stitch sequence.  For example, layering of colors demonstrates you add them in that order.  They can also provide ideas on how to integrate additional threads (one line for each color).  Or, you can use the same thread for all color lines.  That's where I encourage you to use your imagination for the space you are stitching!