Oh My!

The ratio of beads to threads in today’s stitch is a little on the high side. And, clearly (pun intended), I’m okay with that.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram account. Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

The stitched sample is clear Sundance beads with clear beading thread (gray circles), Soie D'Alger (aqua lines), and Petite Silk Lame (turquoise lines) on 18-mesh. A little background on the stitch origins. The project (which will be shared soon via a new Stitch Guide) is an exquisitely painted teacup, with beautiful shading and sweet details. I use two extremes with shading. I either use basketweave, as the area is painted, or I use a very open stitch to let the painting show through. (Fun fact, this upcoming project uses both.) I landed on this stitch because I wanted the teacup to be the center of attention (and beads are a great way to do that), but I also wanted something a little more than my standard Brick Beading. And here we are.

This stitch is scalable. For example, this is the stitch for the vase on Gold Pot and Figs. I used silks and metallics for the Oblique Cross Stitches and colored beads for the beaded columns. However, I made the Elongated X’s a row wider in that version. In fact, you could also change up the stitch in the columns in between the beads with simple horizontal straight stitches over two (or more!) rows, or a column of Alternating Skip Tent (in a width of your choosing), or a single column of Alternating Diamonds (as thought starters).

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, 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.

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!

Shine!

There are days I am enchanted by the abundance of creativity that exists in our world of needlepoint. Today’s stitch is a wonderful way to let this beauty shine through.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram account. Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Today’s stitch came to me because I was distraught at the thought of covering the exquisite colors and shading in a background. I wanted something simple and elegant. (This is also a sneak peak at a soon to be announced club I’m working on, so stay tuned!) The stitched sample uses Petite Silk Lame (on 18-mesh).

This stitch would work just as well on a solid background. One idea is to do every or fourth vertical column in a different color or finish for a little extra something on a solid background. This stitch would also be wonderful for any number of architectural stitches, such as a rooftop, floor, or wall. I would love to see it as a dress or coat, especially if it was a tall figure.

If you want a smidge more coverage, consider adding a single Upright Tied Cross in the center of the diamonds. You could also add an additional straight stitch over six rows in the center of the connector between the diamonds. You could really glam it up by adding Brick Beading in the center of the diamonds. (Fun fact! Brick Beading was the first ever #whimsicalwednesday stitch!)

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, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells Stitch Guides and Stitch Concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, Sandra Gilmore, Purple Palm, Maggie, and Patience Brewster, 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!  

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!

Such a Square

Today's stitch is a distant cousin of Brick Beading with a little surprise.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram account. Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

It’s a great way to draw attention to a small space and super easy. Add the beads first, follow with the squares.

The stitched sample uses size 11 Sundance Beads and DMC Perle Cotton #5 (on 13-mesh). I had all but forgotten about this stitch, even though it sits on my office wall. It’s a flower in my Shell Table project. (There’s also a blue version of Shell Table!)

I would love to see it as water, using Kreinik or Petite Silk Lame along with a bead. It would make a cute party hat with Neon Rays and beads. I want to play with it for a bird using variegated silk floss and maybe a Hex bead. I might have to get on that one sooner rather than later.

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, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells Stitch Guides and Stitch Concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, and Patience Brewster. Click here to see the newest guides and click here to see the entire collection.

hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Enjoy!  Happy #smallspacesunday!

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!