Eeeep!

Today’s stitch comes to us from FOWS (friend of whimsicalstitch) Merideth (@auburnhairedstitcher). It’s one of the most clever variations of a stitch I’ve seen in a long time…possibly ever.

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

Click the image to see #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday Stitched Sample Gallery on Instagram.

Click the image to see #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday Stitched Sample Gallery on Instagram.

The good news is that it is a variation of a stitch I shared in 2021. I was so excited to see what Merideth did with it and the love it got on my Insta stories was incredible. So, here we are!

The stitched sample uses white Petite Silk Lame on an 18M canvas. Merideth added the adorable red and green beads to represent cherries and olives, naturally. Eeeeep! does not even begin to describe how much I love what Merideth created. The vertical lines between the snowflakes and/or the martinis are darning stitches. I added the numbering to this diagram to help you navigate the snowflakes and the darning stitches.

I don’t have the typical notes on additional variations that I typically add at this point in the blog. Based on what it took to create the diagram, my only counsel is that this is a large space stitch. To get the true effect of the stitch, I can’t see it in many places other than a background. Maybe you could reduce the number of rows between columns, which might add unnecessary busy-ness.

Thank you, Merideth. To say I love this stitch is an understatement.

I hope you have the perfect spot for today’s stitch. Have fun! And happy cocktails!

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

As you are auditioning stitches (from any stitch source), count 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 plan to use 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, which has helped me expand my creativity, especially for large-space stitches.

Today’s 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 FacebookPinterestInstagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, there's more. Mary’s Whimsical Stitches is a series of four books offering contemporary how-to collections of more than 200 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. Visit here to find a needlepoint retailer that carries my books.

New to needlepoint or looking for a refresher? Please download a handy how-to guide covering 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 DesignsSandra 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, the layering of colors demonstrates you add them in that order.  They can also provide ideas on integrating 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!