Tiny Crowns

After a long hiatus, #smallspacesunday returns with a sweet little stitch that reminds me of tiny crowns.

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 is the snow under some snowmen with a white Kreinik Metallics Fine Braid (#8) from my stash on 18M.

My go-to stitches for snow are darning stitches on the horizontal axis, or some sort of horizontal straight stitch, with a lightweight metallic to highlight any shading and/or to keep the area light so the focus will go elsewhere. Even when you don’t factor in teaching projects, I get tired of my go-to stitches. Factor in teaching projects and, well, you can understand why I was hungry for something different. The inspiration for this stitch came from the last page of the Lagniappe section of the Lone Star’s Grab ‘N Go stitches. I combined the two directions they offered and added more space between the rows for more separation between the rows.

And I’m thrilled with it and can’t wait to use it for water with two colors of Petite Silk Lame or size 8 Kreinik (on 18M). I’m looking forward to flipping the stitch 90° and using it for a tree trunk with Rainbow Linen or a Burmilana Wool.

I elaborated on the origin of this stitch because I was hoping you would have two takeaways. The first is that any stitch book has more inspiration than just the stitches included in it. Many of my composite stitches, especially from my earliest blogs and from both books, find their inspiration in grand and complex composite stitches that I really liked but were not perfect for me. My solution was to remove one or two elements of the inspiring stitch and, voila, I thought they were perfect. Alternatively, feel free to add things! You can rarely go wrong with adding beads to a stitch. I find that skipping a row or rows in any stitch is a great way to find new things. I did a whole post about that a few years ago. You can find it here.

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 Volume 1 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; Mary’s Whimsical Stitches Volume 2 features chapters on Balanced, Beading, Diagonal, Layered, Oblique, Small, and Straight stitches.

Also, you can download The Essentials, a free 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 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!

More Cousins

Both of today’s stitches use two threads and a shared stitch pattern. I love the two unique stitches that emerged.

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 me playing with Soie d’Alger (3-ply and a size 8 Kreinik Metallic (yellow lines).

This will make a beautiful wallpaper or floor with any silk floss and your favorite lightweight metallic, my favorite being Kreinik or Petite Silk Lame. I also am looking forward to using it for pants as it will help give the area height. This simple stitch has a subtle elegance that I just love.

Truth be told, as I was stitching the sample, I became obsessed with what it would look like without the underlying Kreinik, so I whipped up the sample below.

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.

And here we have it. It’s a really cute look with more Soie d’Alger (black lines) and Trebizond Silk (yellow lines).

As you know, the openness of this stitch makes it ideal for areas with shading. It will be so pretty for many outdoor spaces, such as tree trunks, water, green fields, hills. many options.

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.

IIf you like what you see on this blog, there's more: Mary’s Whimsical Stitches Volume 1 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; Mary’s Whimsical Stitches Volume 2 features chapters on Balanced, Beading, Diagonal, Layered, Oblique, Small, and Straight stitches.

Also, you can download The Essentials, a free 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 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!

I Love (Most) Surprises

Today’s stitch is a clever combination of straight stitches that honestly surprised me. And I absolutely love it.

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 uses Elegance (black lines) and size 8 Kreinik (yellow lines) on 18M. This stitch is reminiscent of a very clever way the one and only Brenda Hart uses open stitches. She stitched an intricately detailed piece with a single stitch and one type of thread. Brilliant. (Here’s an example if you are thinking “What the heck is she talking about?”)

This stitch is perfect for many architectural or home elements, such as wallpaper, rug, tile, or roof. For example, using two different matte textures, such as an overdyed wool and a solid silk for a rug, will add interesting dimension. Alternating black and white threads for a tile floor will be gorgeous. I would love to see it as a background for a smaller area, such as an ornament or small standup. (The stitched sample is just that, a background of a smaller area for a Stitch Guide I’m working on right now.) It will be a great addition to any sampler and, circling back to my original impression, a lovely cover for an intricately painted piece.

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!

It's Hard to be Lola

The highlight of yesterday morning’s unplanned visit to the vet was stumbling across a rubber mat, which forced me to look down…to see a fun pattern that inspired today’s stitches! (And, yes, it’s a two-fer!) (The stitch is named in honor of my poor girl Lola who was subjected to the vet yesterday morning. She’s home and fine now, and milking this for all it’s worth. Still.)

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 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 (and be sure to swipe to see this photo). Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

The stitched samples are me playing with Finca Perle (size 12) on 13M (top) and the same Finca Perle with a size 8 Kreinik on 13M (bottom). The top version is more representative of the pattern on the rubber mat, but I remembered a fun background I saw on Pinterest and added the smaller straight stitches in the empty rows on the second version. I expected to like the second one more than the first but the truth is they both have a place in needlepoint and I like them equally and for different reasons.

Obviously, any stitch over eight rows AND skipping a row is going to go fast. What I love about the top version is, yes, how little time it took to stitch but also the sheer simplicity of it. It’s an interesting pattern with two twists (the size and the skipped row). It will make a fantastic wallpaper or solid colored background, a large rooftop, smooth water, or a large green field. Consider using two colors or finishes, one for each direction. Based on the simplicity of this version, lighter weight threads come to mind here, such as a cotton or silk perle, Petite Silk Lame, silk floss (4 plies for 13M; 2-3 plies for 18M).

The second version adds more intrigue. As I mentioned, a background on Pinterest introduced me to the idea of adding the smaller stitches in the empty rows. It works well and makes this stitch one that will work well for areas that you want to bring attention to. I can see this working well on a Santa bag with Petite Very Velvet and Kreinik Metallics Tapestry Braid (#12). It will make beautiful clothing with a single strand silk and Silk Lame.

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!

Connections

Simply put, today’s stitch makes me smile. It’s wide open, sparkly, and stitched in this week’s favorite color, blue.

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 a background for a bolster pillow. It uses Soie D’Alger (black lines) and Kreinik Fine Braid (#8) (gray lines) on 13-mesh. With open stitches such as these, I recommend stitching the octagons in halves, using a modified back stitch. Stitch the top half and then return across the canvas adding the bottom half. Add the pairs of straight stitches following the diagonal axis, weaving your thread through the stitching in the back to navigate around a wide open area to get to the next axis.

This stitch would serve you very well for clothing, such as a dress or a jacket, especially if it includes beautiful shading. I would love to see this with Petite Very Velvet with Silk Lame for a jacket. Consider using two lightweight metallics, such as Petite Silk Lame and Sparkle Rays, for water or a night sky. If you want to really bling it up, consider stringing 2-3 beads across the straight stitches.

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!

Stitching Sunday

Okay, you caught me. Technically, this was a #stitchingsaturday. I worked on a cute little Plum Stitchery floral piece last night while re-binging Legally Blond (the original, not any of the less than sequels).

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 Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

I flipped the diagram 90° to create vertical columns and added a contrasting color for the vertical columns over two rows. Today’s stitched sample uses a single strand of Floche (black lines), pink Petite Silk Lame for the alternating vertical columns, and a size 8 Kreinik (for the other vertical columns and the trios of stitches over two rows). Technically, this is a full coverage stitch and adds interesting detail. However, I purposefully chose lighter threads so it did not overwhelm the flowers. (Canvas is Plum Stitchery Wildflowers 15AA.)

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! Happy #stitchingsunday!

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!

Bead:Thread

I’m kinda into the bead to thread ratio in today’s 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 Instagram account. Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

The stitched sample is a monotone palette with three unique threads to add texture. It uses Petite Silk Lame (black lines), Kreinik Metallics Fine Braid (size 8) (turquoise lines), Crystal Braid (gray lines), and Sundance Beads (aqua circles).

This stitch will explode into something spectacular when you mix colors. It will make a gorgeous dress with a pink Trebizond Silk (black lines), red Fyre Werks (turquoise lines), pink Entice (gray lines), and gold beads. How about a dramatic bird tail with turquoise Soie d’Alger (black lines), orange Kreinik Metallics (turquoise lines), orange Silk Lame (gray lines), and purple beads? You can also up the bead glam by using Swarovski round crystals (2mm or 3mm), one of my very favorite embellishments.

It will make an interesting water stitch, especially if the water is slightly choppy. For water, I would return to a monotone palette and use a Petite Silk Lame (black lines), a Kreinik metallic for both the aqua and gray lines, and clear beads.

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!

Merry Little Background

Today's stitch is a sweet little thing that adds a tiny pop.

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 uses ThreadWorx Overdyed Floss (gray lines) and Kreinik Metallics Fine Braid (#8) (yellow lines) on 13-mesh.

This stitch would make great water with Petite Silk Lame (gray lines) and a Kreinik Metallics Fine Braid (#8) (yellow lines). It would make a cute ground cover with Treenway Tranquility (silk perle) (gray lines) and Soie D’Alger (yellow lines).

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.

I 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!

Oui Oui!

The final post for July includes the last open stitch example from the I-Will-Never-Finish white flower project. The stitch is a cousin of both the Parisian and Brick 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 Instagram account. Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

There are three things I like about this stitch. The first is the primary stitch element (over 2-2-4-4-2-2 rows) is not a perfect pair. Check. On the off chance you didn't know, I'm always a fan of skipping a row between columns. Check. The oblique Upright Cross between the primary elements is a pleasant surprise. Check. The stitched sample uses Kreinik Metallics Fine Braid (#8), Trebizond Silk, and Flair.

I would love to see this stitch as a roof with a mix of textures, solid colors, and variegated colors, such as Rainbow Linen, Treenway Tranquility, and maybe a little Burmilana thrown in for good measure.  It would also make wonderful water with my water favorites of Kreinik Metallics and Petite Silk Lame.  I would use Flair for the oblique Upright Cross in that example. 

My last idea is to rotate the stitch 45° and stitch it in vertical columns for clothing.  I would love to see this stitch as pants on Santa or a nutcracker.  Here my mind is playing with Petite Very Velvet, Pepper Pot Silk, and Fyre Werks.  

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 20 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!

Large and in Charge

It's always fun to see how the same base stitch looks with different fills. Today's stitch is a distant cousin of one of the early #whimsicalwednesdays.  Today's stitch is the "just right" between full and empty in the center. Truth be told, all choices are great. 

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 common denominator between the two versions is the double diamond (with stitches over five rows on all sides).   

Today's stitched sample is from a large floral. As you can see, it draws attention to the beautiful shading.  It uses Trebizond Silk (turquoise lines), Kreinik Metallics Fine Braid (#8) (dark gray lines), and a Sundance size 11 bead (aqua circle). I chose lighter threads with an open stitch to draw attention to the shading yet still offer an interesting pattern in the larger area.

As mentioned in the first post, I love these large diamonds as background stitches. They add visual interest, yet are subtle. For backgrounds, I like to use a Perle cotton, such as DMC or Prescencia Perle Cotton size 8 on 18-mesh and size 5 on 13-mesh.  More often than not, I add a Smyrna Cross in a subtle metallic to the 2X2 intersection and then play with the inside of the diamond with some sort of metallic. 

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 20 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!