As you should know by now, whether through this blog or through one of my stitch guides, I love layered stitches (that I often call Tramme). I also love it when stitchers share Tramme variations they are using that I would not have thought of…and that’s where today’s stitch comes from.

The stitched sample is a very cute Terry Runyan cat and used Splendor (black lines) and Petite Silk Lame (yellow lines). My layering is typically one repeated pattern, as illustrated here. I love the integration of the two patterns in today’s stitch.

With its woven look and long, lean look, this still will make fantastic clothing, such as pants or a coat. In either of those scenarios, I would use a matte thread on top. I recommend using a metallic that lies flat for the black lines, such as Flair, Fyre Werks, or Neon Rays. Cover it with silk, such as silk floss or a single strand silk (such as Vineyard Silk or Pepper Pot Silk) for a look with more texture.

For some reason, as I look at this stitch while writing, chimneys keep popping into my head. I would use two related hues of the same matte thread for that area.

When I use this stitch (and oh, I will), I will stitch a complete layer combo before moving on to the next one. Since the layers are so close together, this will help me avoid snagging threads. Specifically, I’ll start with the column on the right. Add the one long row of Splendor (black lines), park the thread to the side, and then add the pairs of horizontal straight stitches over two rows with the Petite Silk Lame and park the thread to the side. I’ll add two more rows of Splendor, park the Splendor, and follow up with the pairs of horizontal stitches over three rows. And then repeat.

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, there's more: Mary’s Whimsical Stitches Volume 1 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; Mary’s Whimsical Stitches Volume 2 features chapters on Balanced, Beading, Diagonal, Layered, Oblique, Small, and Straight stitches.

Also, you can download for free the first chapter from my first book which covers basic needlepoint stitches and stitch compensation techniques along with new top-line information on needlepoint materials and tools, how to handle threads, and other helpful needlepoint resources.

whimsicalstitch.com also 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!