Today’s canvas is why I love open stitches.

The stitched sample is from Leopard by Jane Tattersfield (distributed through Needlepoint Now). I’ve had the great joy of creating multiple guides for Jane’s work and her colors are vibrant and include exquisite shading. The stitched sample uses Soie d’Alger (black lines) and Petite Silk Lame (aqua lines). The stitcher changed the color of the threads as the color of the canvas changed colors. (And, yes, the nose uses Brick Beading.)

I’m looking forward to using this stitch for a night sky with silk floss and a Kreinik Metallic (size 4 for 18M and size 8 for 13M). Along those lines, I’m considering it for a background with a single metallic thread. I’m also playing with the idea of adding a Smyrna Cross to the center of each starburst for use on Santa’s bag of toys. I can guarantee there will be variations with the starburst element. So, stay tuned.

These stitch diagrams, 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, there's more. Mary’s Whimsical Stitches is a series of three books offering contemporary how-to collections of more than 250 stitches (in each volume) for all stitchers, regardless of skill level. All books include updated and sequenced diagrams from this blog plus a collection of all-new stitches from private lessons and other class projects. All three books include chapters on Balanced, Diagonal, Layered, Oblique, Small, and Straight stitches. Volume 1 also includes a chapter on Borders. Volume 2 includes a chapter on Beading, and Volume 3 includes a chapter on Tent Pattern Stitches. Any or all are a great enhancement to your stitch library. Visit here to find a needlepoint retailer that carries my books.

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!