Yes, I got an A in high school Geometry but that doesn’t mean I remember any of it and have laughable billiards skills. So, after trying to research the more precise terms to describe the three different sized shapes that emerge in today’s stitch, I leave you with…today’s wide open stitch is really pretty, uses lots of yummy threads, and please pay attention to the spacing of the base threads (black lines).

Before I talk about the threads, I want to bring your attention to the spacing of the black lines. What draws me to this stitch is the emerging shapes are not the same size. The stitch is composed of pairs of black lines with three empty rows between the stitches in a pair. There are five empty rows between pairs of stitches.

Today’s stitched sample is a great example of some of the beautifully painted canvases out there that scream for open stitches because the painting is almost too pretty to cover up. I like to consider the stitching on canvases like this as gently placed enhancements. The stitched sample is from an upcoming new Stitch Guide and uses three shade of Petite Silk Lame and Sundance Beads on 18M.

The first shade matches the dominant color in the area to be stitched and is represented by the black lines. Subsequent shades align with smaller color areas in the piece and are represented by the gray lines. (I used two different colors for the gray lines.) The bead color (represented by the yellow circles) was selected based on the dots on the painted canvas. (When this guide is ready, I’ll be able to show the whole thing in context.)

This stitch will make beautiful clothing with a silk Perle (such as Elegance) for the black lines, a lightweight Kreinik (gray lines) and a seed bead. I would love to see this in a sampler with more dramatic threads (dramatic = larger) such as Kreinik Medium Braid (size 16) for the black lines, Very Velvet (gray lines) and a larger bead for the bead accent. It will make a really pretty tabletop with silk floss (black lines) and Petite Silk Lame (gray lines). In this scenario, I would replace the bead with another Upright Cross and use a contrasting thread (either color or finish or both).

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 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.

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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!