There is something to be said for dramatic colors against a white background. I’m having a little fun test driving some background stitches for a Santa standup. Truth be told, I’m not sure if I like the stitch or the color combo better.

I’m playing with two plies of Splendor (black lines) and a size 8 Kreinik (yellow lines) on 18M for today’s stitched sample. I navigated around the white space by stitching the blocks of diamonds across the horizontal. I added the groups of three stitches making sure I always started at the bottom of a group of stitches to keep the center(s) clear of dragged threads. I added the gold stitches in vertical columns, weaving the gold Kreinik around the red Splendor on the back, dutifully avoiding the open space.

Click on image to see the **whimsicalstitch.com Stitch Library** on pinterest.com. Includes all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

As I mentioned, I’m test driving background stitches. You may be surprised to learn this stitch is too small for the piece I’m working on. (I was certainly surprised.) But this is a great opportunity to share a way I could have determined that before I stitched the sample.

As you are evaluating stitches (from my blog, books, or any other stitch source), count out the number of canvas threads on the diagram that match your mesh size. And there you have what an inch of the stitch will look like. Evaluate that against the area where you are planning the stitch and make your final decision. If you start integrating this step into your stitch selection process, you may be surprised at how many stitches you think are large are much smaller than you realize.

By (sometimes) including this step in my own process, I find I am now integrating much longer stitches than I ever thought I would. I used to think a stitch six rows long was super big. I have very much changed my tune and this has helped me expand my creativity, especially for large space stitches.

And now back to today’s actual stitch.

Today’s stitch will make a beautiful background on a 18M round ornament with a simple design, like a cute saying. Consider using a size 8 Kreinik (black lines) with 2-3 plies of silk thread (yellow lines) for an extra pop of sparkle. I suspect it will make a very pretty roof with Vineyard Silk (black lines) and a more mild metallic like Silk Lame (yellow lines). I’m also looking forward to using it for some beautifully shaded clothing, such as a Santa’s coat. What a perfect way to draw attention to the coat all the while showing off the beautiful artistry of needlepoint designers.

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.

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!

#whimsicalwednesday blog