Seems Like Yesterday

Imagine my very pleasant surprise when I realized I never shared this stitch with you! The monogram on the back dates this pillow to 2008, which says something about the enduring appeal of this stitch.

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.

The stitched sample is Crystal Braid (turquoise lines) and clear beads (yellow circles).

This stitch will make a lovely dress with silk floss and contrasting bead. A different approach would be to alternate two threads (one single strand silk for the horizontal tied cross and the second single strand silk for the vertical tied cross) with a matte bead for a jacket or Santa toy bag. That combo would also work well for greenery. Another fun combo for the greenery is overdyed wool and a solid wool.

As I compiled this post, it dawned on me I probably love this stitch so much because it is a very close cousin to one of my all-time favorite stitches. You do know what this means, right? I’m going to have a blast playing with the rectangles in Alternating Cashmere stitches in the days ahead.

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.

IIf 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, 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!

I Have a Crush

I’ve had a massive crush on today’s stitch and thread combos for a while and am excited to share them with you! (Also, look at those snowflakes!)

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.

The stitch and stitched sample come from our friend, Ruth Schmuff. It’s from the gorgeous Winter Sleep, a gorgeous winter piece from Brenda Stofft.

The stitched sample uses Kreinik Very Fine Braid (#4) for the black lines. The aqua lines are a combination of Floche (white in the stitched sample), Petite Silk Lame (lavender in the stitched sample), and Soie Cristale (blue in the stitched sample). The snowflakes are a wonderful assortment of Swarovski flatbacks and other clear seed beads.

Clearly, this is a new go-to stitch for snow (as illustrated). I would love to see it as water with any combination of lightweight metallics, such as Kreinik, Petite Silk Lame, ThreadWorx, etc. It will make a great now-snowy hillside with a single strand of Impressions (black lines) covered with Gloriana Silk Floss or Rainbow Linen (aqua lines). It will also serve you very well as a roof with matte threads, such as Vineyard Silk (black lines) covered with another Vineyard Silk in a similar color (aqua lines). Don’t forget to flip the diagram 180° for the opposite side of the roof. If you’d like to add more visible canvas, consider making the pairs of diagonal stitches trios of diagonal stitches.

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.

IIf 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, 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!

Oldie but Goodie

Today’s #stitchingsunday revisits a great all-purpose open stitch from 2016. It’s a personal favorite and I’m proud of my restraint because I don’t put it in every single stitch guide I write.

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 Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Today’s stitched sample is a background on a cute little Debbie Mumm watering can. It uses Elegance (black lines) and Flair (turquoise lines). (The gray lines were not included in the stitched sample.) If you click on the stitch diagram, you’ll be taken to an earlier version of the diagram that includes several alternatives you could use instead of the Smyrna Cross in the center. Click here for the original blog post, where you will see another cute variation for 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 and Stitch Concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, Sandra Gilmore, Purple Palm, Maggie, and Patience Brewster, 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! Happy #stitchingsunday!

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!

Mind Games

How did you see this stitch at first pass? When I first saw the stitched sample, my eyes saw the diagonal flow of the stitch pairs, starting in the upper right and moving to the lower left. It was only when I created the diagram that I realized the vertical columns were identical. Now all I see is columns. It was a kinda fun mind-game, even though it is still early in the morning for such games.

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.

The stitched sample is from FOWS (friend of whimsicalstitch.com) Ruth Schmuff. It uses two plies of Gloriana Floss on 18-mesh (for the gold area) and brown Petite Silk Lame for the brown areas above and below the gold.

This would make a gorgeous water stitch, as the gentle direction is made for water. My favorite threads for water are lightweight Kreinik Metallics or Petite Silk Lame. This will work very well with greenscapes, such as grass or fields, with silk floss or a silk perle.

You could alternate colors or finishes by column or within a column. Stitching every other pair of stitches within a column will accentuate the original directional flow I mentioned at the beginning of this blog. I think it would make an adorable sweater with two colors. Alternate matte overdyed floss with a solid floss for a floor or roof.

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, 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!

Spring in Autumn!

Today’s stitch is the promised alternate to the Layered Oblique Stitch from a few weeks ago. Truth be told, today’s stitch is what I included in the Stitch Concept until the very charming student went off the reservation. And, for the record, I love this stitch and I love the student’s interpretation of it.

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.

The stitched sample is me playing with threads on hand on 18-mesh canvas. I used Petite Very Velvet (light gray lines), yellow Trebizond Silk (aqua lines), pink Trebizond Silk (black lines), and purple…wait for it…purple Trebizond Silk (dark gray lines).

Consider this stitch for a dramatic coat, bag, or blanket with a Kreinik 1/16” ribbon for the gray lines, Vineyard Silk or silk floss for the black lines, and a contrasting metallic in a smaller size (like a Petite Silk Lame or size 8 Kreinik) for the aqua lines. Cover the Vineyard Silk or silk floss (black lines) with a Kreinik braid (#8 or #12) (dark gray lines) and you are good to go.

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 creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com 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!  

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!

Connections

Simply put, today’s stitch makes me smile. It’s wide open, sparkly, and stitched in this week’s favorite color, blue.

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.

The stitched sample is a background for a bolster pillow. It uses Soie D’Alger (black lines) and Kreinik Fine Braid (#8) (gray lines) on 13-mesh. With open stitches such as these, I recommend stitching the octagons in halves, using a modified back stitch. Stitch the top half and then return across the canvas adding the bottom half. Add the pairs of straight stitches following the diagonal axis, weaving your thread through the stitching in the back to navigate around a wide open area to get to the next axis.

This stitch would serve you very well for clothing, such as a dress or a jacket, especially if it includes beautiful shading. I would love to see this with Petite Very Velvet with Silk Lame for a jacket. Consider using two lightweight metallics, such as Petite Silk Lame and Sparkle Rays, for water or a night sky. If you want to really bling it up, consider stringing 2-3 beads across the straight stitches.

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, Sandra Gilmore, Purple Palm, Maggie, and Patience Brewster, 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!  

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!

Just Right

Sometimes I am my own worst enemy, especially when I’m under a deadline. I needed multiple 3X3 square stitches…and I had a bunch of available diagrams to choose from…but not a single one moved me. I’m so glad I kept searching because the final stitch was just right.

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.

The stitched sample is a blanket on an adorable reindeer. It uses Splendor (turquoise and light gray lines) and Entice (black and dark gray lines). The sequence is to add the corners and center of a 3X3 square with the red Splendor, add a diagonal stitch over three rows in the opposite direction with the Entice, and then cover the Entice with the “missing” diagonal stitches over two rows with the same Splendor. I love the layering and additional interest it adds to a simple area.

This stitch would make an adorable border. I’m itching to use it on a floor with Silk ‘N Colors overdyed silk floss for the square and a solid silk floss for the contrasting diagonal stitch. This would make a Santa bag complete with Very Velvet and a Kreinik 1/16” ribbon. Last, but certainly not least, consider it for a bedspread or blanket with Gloriana’s Pashmina and a lightweight metallic, such as Petite Silk Lame.

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, Sandra Gilmore, Purple Palm, Maggie, and Patience Brewster, 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!  

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!

More Layers

Today’s stitch is a slightly larger version of the layering technique I discussed a few weeks ago. This version creates what I’m calling an oblique diamond. Another highly technical term for it is smooshed diamond. Feel free to use whatever vernacular makes you happiest.

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.

The stitched sample is me playing with blue Petite Silk Lame (gray lines) and a size 12 Kreinik Metallic (on 18-mesh). Just a friendly reminder from the last post about this layering, do not forget to slide the last stitch of (of the gray lines) UNDER the pre-existing stitch in the sequence.

Frankly, the first thing I thought of as I stitched it was how this stitch would make a fantastic cathedral window, or any large window that demands attention. I’m thinking the picture windows from Sandra Gilmore’s room canvases. I would use two metallics with the Upright Crosses in a slightly darker hue. It will make an interesting fence with two matte threads, such as Impressions or Elegance.

Considering I stitched this with whatever threads happened to be next to me, my accent choices were limited. In a perfect world, this would be stitched with a larger bead or pearl added over two rows in the center of the open diamond. I would love to see this as a young girl’s dress with pink Silk Lame and a beautiful white pearl. It would also make a great Halloween pumpkin with orange ThreadWorx metallic, and a sequin/bead combo in the open diamond. Yum.

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, Sandra Gilmore, Purple Palm, Maggie, and Patience Brewster, 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!  

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!

Stitching Sunday

Okay, you caught me. Technically, this was a #stitchingsaturday. I worked on a cute little Plum Stitchery floral piece last night while re-binging Legally Blond (the original, not any of the less than sequels).

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 Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

I flipped the diagram 90° to create vertical columns and added a contrasting color for the vertical columns over two rows. Today’s stitched sample uses a single strand of Floche (black lines), pink Petite Silk Lame for the alternating vertical columns, and a size 8 Kreinik (for the other vertical columns and the trios of stitches over two rows). Technically, this is a full coverage stitch and adds interesting detail. However, I purposefully chose lighter threads so it did not overwhelm the flowers. (Canvas is Plum Stitchery Wildflowers 15AA.)

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, Sandra Gilmore, Purple Palm, Maggie, and Patience Brewster, 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! Happy #stitchingsunday!

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!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

This morning’s stitch comes from a frantic search on my phone for a stitched sample. Not the most reliable nor advisable way to find a stitch for a blog post but, wow, I think it turned out better than all right.

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.

I am, literally, leaving on a jet plane in a few hours so this is going to be quick. The stitched sample uses a single strand of Burmilana (black lines), Petite Silk Lame (gray lines), and a Sundance bead on Herondipity (by Charlie Harper), a project I’m working on with a local student.

This large space stitch would be great on a tall tree with beautiful shading, such as a pine tree or a solid Christmas tree with a variegated Silk Floss (Silk ‘N Colors, Gloriana, or ThreadWorx) or a variegated wool (Lorikeet or ThreadWorx). Depending on how the tree was painted, you could add contrasting accents (say silver and red beads for ornaments) or matching accents to accentuate the leafiness. (If leafiness isn’t a real word, I say pshaw. It’s a great word.)

Clearly, this makes a wonderful stitch for bird wings. I would ratchet up the accents for the wings with brighter metallics or larger beads, such as Swarovski round crystals or bi-cones. This stitch is scalable and I will be using a slightly smaller version of this on the Partridge of the Twelvetide Series. It’s going to be 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 and Stitch Concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, Sandra Gilmore, Purple Palm, Maggie, and Patience Brewster, 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!  

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!