Sometimes Being Right Isn't Everything

January 7, 2018 whimsicalstitch

And that's because today's stitch comes from another mistake! The diagram below was my first attempt at diagramming this adorable window stitch, it wasn't quite right. It wasn't right because it didn't match the stitched sample, but it's still a cute stitch on its own merits. So meet the Patterned Cross Stitch's cousin, the Patterned Cross Stitch!

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 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. — 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.

My counsel for this version is the same as the cousin. Use it to help an area recede, such as a sky or a horizon behind a beautiful landscape, or to let how the canvas is painted standout. The pink area of this canvas was so cute that I didn't want to overdo it. It's also a foolproof way to highlight shading in a small area. A stitch like this is always top of mind for water or windows. I recommend using lightweight threads with a stitch this gentle. For example, the stitched sample uses Trebizond Silk on 18-mesh. Depending on what you are stitching, consider Petite Silk Lame, Silk Straw, 2-3 strands of your favorite silk floss or wool.

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. 48 guides are currently available and more are in the works!

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Enjoy!

Christy's Window

November 12, 2017 whimsicalstitch

I always love it when I stumble on a new (to me) small space stitch and it's more fun when it comes from one of my favorite stitchers. I just love this stitch.

I named it the Diagonal Cross Stitch because of the gentle slope of the stitches.

This stitch would be great for a window (as illustrated). It's also a great stitch for any area you want to recede. As an example, I shared it with a student for a small hill in the background of a country landscape. It would be a charming way to honor beautifully shaded clouds or small bodies of water. I recommend to use lightweight threads with a stitch this gentle. For example, the stitched sample uses Kreinik Metallics Very Fine Braid (#4). Depending on what you are stitching, consider Petite Silk Lame, Silk Straw, 2-3 strands of your favorite silk floss or wool.

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.

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Enjoy!

All About Threads

July 26, 2017 whimsicalstitch

I introduced you to this stitch in one of the first #whimsicalwednesday posts to illustrate open stitches. Today's stitch uses a different set of threads and the stitch pops in a completely new way.

The addition of multiple colorful accents, including Cross Stitches and Smyrna Crosses, turns this stitch into something quite spectacular. The stitched sample uses Silk & Ivory, Frosty Rays, and Kreinik Metallics Medium Braid (#16). The heavier thread weights provide more coverage and more focus on the stitch than the shading underneath (unlike the original post).

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. 45 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Enjoy!

Smaller than Small

February 21, 2016 whimsicalstitch

Another often overlooked small space stitch is the Cross Stitch. Because, really, what's more fun than plain needlepoint than plain needlepoint twice over the same intersection?

The Cross Stitch used as an accent stitch in Elegance (on 18-mesh) on this week's #smallspacesunday on whimsicalstitch.com/whimsicalwednesdays blog post. #needlepoint #melissashirleydesigns #whimsicalstitch #rainbowgalleries #elegance #home #love

What sets the Cross Stitch apart is its unique ability to be a single stand-alone stitch. Steps 1-4 illustrate the sequence for the individual stitch. You can use it for an eye, a button, an earring, a flower center, or a star. Use it for any single stitch that needs to stand apart, however delicately, from the area around it. For use as a single stitch, it works best if the area surrounding it is a different color. It also makes a great accent stitch in a larger pattern, illustrated by the stitched sample on Instagram.

The entire diagram shows a cluster of Cross Stitches. Consider covering an entire small area that needs texture yet needs to recede a little bit. Consider it for groundcover in the distance on a landscape. It also makes a great tree trunk, allowing the (more enjoyable to stitch*) leaves to stand out.

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 #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!

It Takes Two

January 10, 2016 whimsicalstitch

Today's #smallspacesunday focuses on the 2X2 square.

The standard for a 2X2 square is the Mosaic Stitch, the smallest Satin Stitch there is.

I diagrammed it in two colors to expand your thinking on small spaces. The two colors represent two colors, thread types or both.

The next is the Cross Stitch or, as I like to elegantly call it, an X.

You will notice the diagram is in same colors and in the same size. But the color pattern is different. Just another way to look at a space.

The next 2X2 is the Upright Cross.

The Upright Cross is featured as the stitched sample on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram page this week.

The Smyrna Cross is often overlooked because it adds a lovely pop of texture and most people think of it for only texture. This begs the question...why not add the surprise of texture in a small space? It's a lovely and unexpected touch. And that's why I love it so.

You will be surprised at how fun this stitch can be. I've used it in "larger" small spaces such as a two-row high border, boots on a Santa, and as small bushes in the background in addition to the traditional small spaces such as a snowflake, a holiday ornament, or a button. The Smyrna Cross adds a pop of contrasting color and texture in a larger stitch combo.

The possibilities are endless. The only thing I obsess about is the application of a consistent stitch sequence. My recommended sequence is above. If you do a different sequence, I strongly encourage you to do the same sequence in all of the crosses.

These stitch diagrams, along with other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on www.pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday.

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 for seasonal Melissa Shirley designs. 20 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

Enjoy!

#whimsicalwednesday blog