The Diamond Stitch may not be the first stitch you think of for a small space, but it's a fun and versatile solution.
More often than not, the simplest of Diamond Stitches is the best for a small space.
Don't freak out at the openness of the diagram. Imagine the gray lines as a Frosty Rays, Fyre Werks, or Vineyard Silk. The coverage is far better than the diagram illustrates. With a lighter thread, such as Soy Lustre, Elegance, or Kreinik Metallics Very Fine Braid (#4), it works as a fantastic open stitch that highlights shading.
If you are using the Diamond Stitch as a small space stitch, filling the center of the diamond requires discretion. You don't want to make it too busy and overpower the area. Two quick ideas are an Upright Cross or a single bead.
As a small space stitch, I like to mix matte and metallic threads (my favorite combo) with similar color values. I've also used two different colors...one as the diamond and one as the Upright Cross...to add color to an area or to relate the area to another section of the canvas.
If you choose to add a single bead, remember the size of the bead will define the stitch. A larger bead will draw attention to the area.
These stitch diagrams, along with other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on www.pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday.
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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 for seasonal Melissa Shirley designs. 17 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.
Enjoy!