Today's stitch is another go-to stitch for me. I use it for skies, coats, baskets, tabletops, house exteriors, and backgrounds. The ability to enhance it defines its versatility. The base layout is below. It is a 5X5 square split into two rectangles with a row of plain needlepoint down the center. Typically, I use a matte thread for the gray lines and metallic thread for the yellow lines.
The first variation is the center row. I make the center stitch of the center row a contrasting element, such as a bead, a different color metallic thread, a French knot, or a cross stitch.
The next variation alternates the center row colors, which is a great way to add a subtle dimension to a coat or background.
The last variation is alternating color combos, a great way to add dimension to a basket or large space.
This stitch is scalable as well. Consider doing a 7X7 or 9X9 square for an especially large space. Those would break down into two 3X7 rectangles and two 4X9 rectangles, respectively, with a row of plain needlepoint in the center.
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. Eight guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.
Enjoy!