It Takes a Village

April 18, 2018 whimsicalstitch

It's been a little nutty around here for the last few weeks, so I counted on my village of stitcher friends to get me through. Today's stitch is inspired by a project a friend shared with me a couple years ago. I've included it on many personal and student projects. It's easy, versatile, and well-behaved.

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.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram account. Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams. — Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram account. Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

I say well-behaved because this stitch just adapts to whatever area you put it in. The example above is from a Santa coat, using Vineyard Silk and Shimmer Ribbon. I've used or recommended it for snowmen with Crystal Braid (gray lines) and Flair (aqua lines), fruit with Soie D'Alger (gray lines) and Trebizond Silk (aqua lines), and backgrounds with Perle Cotton (gray lines ) and Kreinik Metallic (aqua lines). And they all worked.

You could reduce the texture of the 2X2 square by replacing the Smryna Cross with four tent stitches or a 2X2 Mosaic stitch. That combination makes me want to try it for a tabletop, a floor, or even a field of grass. There are a lot of ways to play with this stitch.

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

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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 and stitch concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, and Patience Brewster. 61 guides are currently available, with 13 new Stitch Concepts just added! 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!

An Oldie but Goodie

March 14, 2018 whimsicalstitch

Today's stitch is from one of my favorite workshop pieces. I remember it well because this was one of the first times I changed a stitch on a workshop piece. I felt like I was being so naughty! To this day, I have no regrets.

So, the bad news is I can't find the original stitched piece. While that is embarrassing on many levels, it turns out to be a wonderful opportunity for us. I stitched the sample using two different thread approaches. The blue is the lovely and glorious Pashmina from Gloriana Threads. The red is a matte/metallic combo with Vineyard Silk and Entice. The point in providing both is the combo illustrates that the bottom thread is still visible, even clearly so. (And I'm kinda digging the stripes.)

The original inspiration (that I'm still looking for) is a Vineyard Silk for a bush in a lovely yard scene. This stitch is perfect for greenery and the like because it adds texture that is always good for shrubs. Using the stitched sample as a thought-starter, play with it for a Santa's bag, basket, winter clothing, or even a rug. If you are looking for a little less texture, try using flatter threads, such as Fyre Werks or silk or cotton floss, may reduce the texture a bit. Also mix it up a little by using a metallic for the black lines and a matte thread for the gray lines.

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

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I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Please enjoy!

It Sure Doesn't Look Small

March 4, 2018 whimsicalstitch

Today's stitch packs a lot of interesting detail for a small stitch. And it's fantastic.

The stitched sample uses DMC Floss and Kreinik Metallic for a roof on a small house from a Melissa Shirley vintage Halloween village. The symmetry makes it a perfect roof stitch.

The stitched sample used the same thread (the black Kreinik) to fill the open 2X2 intersections. Using two different threads for those intersections, as the diagram illustrates, offers a bunch of fun ideas. Consider it for a small coat or dress with Soie D'Alger for the black lines, Entice or Kreinik for the gray lines, and Petite Silk Lame for the turquoise lines. Another idea is to combine Gloriana Lorikeet for the black lines, Straw Silk for the gray lines, and Vineyard Silk for the turquoise lines. One last thought is to replace the gray lines with a bead and this could make a great small water stitch. You can have a lot of fun with this.

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.

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

Nothing Wrong with More Diamonds

November 22, 2017 whimsicalstitch

Welcome to more diamonds. While I love the stitch, this post is really a story of threads.

Take a close look at the stitched sample. It is an interesting exercise in thread weights and distinct finishes.

The parallelograms surrounding the 6X6 diamonds are two different grays on the diagram and two different matte threads on the stitched sample. The dark gray lines represent DMC Perle Cotton and the light gray line represents Vineyard Silk. The diamond is filled with two different metallic threads. The aqua lines are Shimmer Ribbon and the teal lines are Kreinik Metallics Tapestry Braid (#12).

This is not the only way to stitch this stitch. Feel free to stitch the parallelograms in a single thread. Depending on which part of the stitch (the parallelograms or the diamonds) you want to pop, adjust the thread weights accordingly. Consider metallic parallelograms with velvet diamonds. Try two different colors of a matte thread for the parallelograms with one color (but two threads) for the diamonds. There are so many things you can do with this stitch. It's great for any number of large areas...large fruit (as illustrated in the stitched sample), clothing, baskets, roofs, or floors, just as thought-starters.

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 and stitch concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, and Patience Brewster. 48 guides are currently available and more are in the works!

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

Open Diamonds!

November 8, 2017 whimsicalstitch

Today's open stitch comes from a Aristeia workshop from several years ago. It's a great stitch that strikes the perfect balance of an interesting stitch and the beautiful shading on the canvas.

I recommend stitching the gray lines first, followed by the aqua lines, and ending with the bead.

The stitched sample includes Vineyard Silk, Shimmer Ribbon, and a Sundance Bead. This stitch is great for many larger spaces, whether they are are a solid color or deeply shaded. It could be gorgeous for a large tree with Vineyard Silk or Pepper Pot Silk (gray lines) and Painters Thread or a subtly overdyed Silk Floss (e.g., Gloriana Silk Floss or Dinky Dyes Silk Floss). For a rich coat you want to stand out, try Very Velvet and Fyre Werks or Kreinik 1/16" metallic ribbon.

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 and stitch concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, and Patience Brewster. 48 guides are currently available and more are in the works!

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

Technical Difficulties

October 11, 2017 whimsicalstitch

I really, really like this stitch. I am confident of this because this has been one of those posts that had multiple "technical difficulties" during every step (diagraming, stitching, and writing). Every. Single. Step. (Please ignore the fact those difficulties were of my own doing.) But, I was so excited by this stitch that I kept going. I give you the Triple Diamond.

This stitch pops up in my Pinterest feed on a regular basis and I am always happy to see it. I'm not sure the original teacher nor the original source, so all I have to offer is a broad "thank you!" The diagram and stitch sample replicate the really clever color plan with three shades of a single hue plus a metallic. (The original post was blue and silver.)

As I was creating the stitched sample, I reached a point where I wasn't "done-done" but I still really liked it. So, here's a variation with a slightly lighter touch.

I can't wait to use this stitch for a larger (and/or wider) area where I want to draw the eye. It would make a great Santa coat or bag, large trees, even ground covering, or a large flower. The second diagram provides a version where some of the shading can show through.

Have fun with the thread combinations. A dramatic stitch calls for dramatic threads. Ideas include two hues of Very Velvet (diamonds) with Kreinik 1/16" ribbon surrounding the diamonds, Painters threads (diamonds) with wool or single strand silk for the surround, Lorikeet (diamonds) with Rainbow Linen or Grandeur for the surround.

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 and stitch concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, and Patience Brewster. 48 guides are currently available and more are in the works!

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

Dressing Up!

March 22, 2017 whimsicalstitch

Today's stitch is from a dress, hence the very clever blog title name. Honestly, it's a universal stitch that finds its roots in the Star Octagon.

Typically, when I have open spaces with differing shapes, I fill only one. In this case, we have a 2X2 square and a 2X2 diamond and both are filled with an upright cross. If left to my own devices, I would have filled just the 2X2 square. Yet, despite my love of open work, I acknowledge there are times full coverage will only do. And this dress needed full coverage.

The stitched sample uses Vineyard Silk and Shimmer Ribbon on 18-mesh.

Star Octagon Variation Vineyard Silk and Shimmer Ribbon (on 18-mesh) on this morning's #whimsicalwednesday blog post (www.whimsicalstitch.com/whimsicalwednesdays/2017/03/22/dressing-up). #needlepoint #whimsicalstitch #needlepointstitchdiagrams #vineyardsilk #shimmerribbon #home #love #excusethecathair

2 Likes, 1 Comments - whimsicalstitch.com (@whimsicalstitch) on Instagram: "Star Octagon Variation Vineyard Silk and Shimmer Ribbon (on 18-mesh) on this morning's..."

As I mentioned earlier, this is a great universal stitch. I can see it on a basket with Sea Grass or Silken Straw (to be really fun) and almost any piece of clothing. It could be a wonderful wall or tabletop.

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. 32 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

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

Orange You Glad I Didn't Say Banana?

February 8, 2017 whimsicalstitch

One of the WORST knock-knock jokes ever. But, it was the first thing that came into my head as I plotted this post. Because, um, today's stitch comes from an orange on one of my Melissa Shirley fruit pillows.

For those of you whom open work makes you itch, this may be a stitch for you. It is very, very close to full coverage. The choice of lighter weight threads reinforce the open look. Here's the stitch.

It's a 3X3 diamond with a Smyrna Cross in the diamond intersections and a Tied Upright Cross in the diamond centers.

Thread weights are critical for the open effect of this stitch. The stitched sample on Instagram drives home my point.

Orange Stitch with DMC Pearl #5, Kreinik Metallics Fine Braid (#8), and Frosty Rays (on 13-mesh) on this morning's #whimsicalwednesday blog post (www.whimsicalstitch.com/whimsicalwednesdays/2017/02/08/orange-you-glad-i-didnt-say-banana). #needlepoint #whimsicalstitch #needlepointstitchdiagrams #kreinikmetallics #rainbowgallery #frostyrays #dmcpearlcotton #home #love #excusethecathair

See this Instagram photo by @whimsicalstitch * 4 likes

In the Instagram sample, the dark gray lines are a size 5 Pearl Cotton, the aqua lines are a size 8 Kreinik Metallics, and the turquoise lines are Frosty Rays. If you are #teamfullcoverage, consider a heavier Pearl Cotton or even a single strand silk such as Vineyard Silk or Pepper Pot for the dark gray lines. Increase the weight of the Kreinik Metallic to a size 12 or size 16 and I think you might be just as happy with this stitch.

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. 31 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

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

More Beetles

November 9, 2016 whimsicalstitch

Today's stitch is a variation on a Beetle stitch. By enclosing the individual beetles within borders, it makes for a fun look!

Beetle Stitch Variation with Elegance and Kreinik Metallics Fine Braid (#8) (on 18-mesh) on this morning's http://whimsicalstitch.com/whimsicalwednesdays blog post. #needlepoint #whimsicalstitch #rainbowgallery #elegance #kreinikmetallics #home #love #isit2020yet

57 Likes, 2 Comments - whimsicalstitch.com (@whimsicalstitch) on Instagram: "Beetle Stitch Variation with Elegance and Kreinik Metallics Fine Braid (#8) (on 18-mesh) on this..."

The stitched sample on Instagram uses Elegance and Kreinik Metallics Fine Braid (#8) on 18-mesh.

I used lighter weight threads since it was a background stitch that I wanted to recede. This stitch, with lighter weight threads, would also work for a floor as it can mimic tiles. A student just used it on a seat cushion as the beetles offered a puffy look. It would also make a beautiful water stitch with two metallics with similar color values.

You could use this with heavier weight threads, such as Vineyard Silk or 6+ plies of strandable silk (such as Splendor) to give it some gravitas, say on a sampler, a piece of clothing, or a roof. The symmetry of this stitch (via the vertical stitches) make it highly adaptable to almost any medium to large area.

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.

Enjoy!

Horizontal Brick

July 13, 2016 whimsicalstitch

Not the most clever of blog post titles, but it's early here. :)

Today's stitch is one of those universal solutions. Depending on the thread combination, it can be clothing, a background, a tabletop, a piece of fruit (as illustrated on Instagram), or foliage.

It's really simple.

As I mentioned earlier, the thread combination defines its use. For an area you'd like to recede a little, I recommend a lightweight pearl silk or cotton, such as Elegance, Thread Gatherer Silken Pearl, DMC (or Anchor) Pearl #8 for the gray lines and a lightweight metallic for the yellow lines, such as Neon Rays, Shimmer, or Kreinik Metallics #4 or #8.

For a more intense area, such as a coat, Very Velvet, Pepper Pot Silk, Vineyard Silk, or a multi-ply wool are great alternatives. Flair, Frosty Rays, Kreinik Metallics #12 or #16 balance these threads well.

On a separate but related subject, I would love to receive feedback on whimsicalstitch.com. Please visit this link to fill out a short survey. Thank you!

This stitch diagram, along with other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on www.pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday.

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. 22 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

Enjoy!

#whimsicalwednesday blog

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