The Milanese stitch was one of the first decorative stitches I learned and I thought it was magical. I used it a lot (okay, too much) and burned out on it. Seeing it again with cute accents makes me feel like we are meeting for the first time again.

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 all kinds of metallics, including Fyre Werks (black lines), Flair (turquoise lines), and Kreinik Metallics (size 8) on 13-mesh. It was stitched by my first needlepoint muse, the late Wendy Harwood of Aristeia. It’s a wacky flower on a Melissa Shirley purse.

This would be great for clothing with Vineyard Silk (black lines), Silk Lame (turquoise lines), and a Kreinik Metallic (yellow lines). It could make a very interesting tree as the overt diagonal stitches are offset by the straight lines. I recommend an overdyed Silk for the black lines, a lightweight metallic for the yellow lines, and maybe a French Knot in a solid silk floss for the turquoise lines. I would love to see the turquoise lines be a seed bead! That would be very fun.

This stitch diagram, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

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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!

I've never chatted about Milanese before, so why not start with a large, dramatic Milanese stitch?

Milanese stitches are diagonal stitches, typically in groups of four with each stitch one row wider than the previous. The resulting element looks like a triangle or an arrowhead. Today's stitch idea blows this up into a group of six stitches for each triangle.

Let's start with the diagram.

The triangles are in diagonal columns. Every row of an individual triangle aligns with a specific row in the triangle on either side (going in the opposite direction). I use the "total" to determine which stitch (of the triangle) is in the next diagonal column of triangles. In the above example, the total is seven (7). The sixes match to the ones; the fives match to the twos; the fours match to the threes. The "total" counting method helps me easily add subsequent columns and is a real help when adding compensation stitches. Honestly, it keeps me sane. I recommend stitching the triangles first and return to add the accent stitches (the aqua lines).

The stitched sample on Instagram takes this concept one step further by alternating finishes for the diagonal columns of triangles.

(Very) Large Milanese with Kreinik Metallics Medium Braid, Very Velvet, and Frosty Rays (on 13-mesh) on this morning's #whimsicalwednesday blog post (www.whimsicalstitch.com/whimsicalwednesdays/2016/12/21/magical-milanese). #needlepoint #whimsicalstitch #kreinikmetallics #purpleandoink #rainbowgallery #veryvelvet #frostyrays #halloweenindecember #home #love #excusethecathair

See this Instagram photo by @whimsicalstitch * 1 like

The diagram below is the exact same as above, but I changed the color of alternating columns to align it with the stitched sample for clarity.

Since Milanese is a dramatic stitch that stands out, I think it calls for substantial, full coverage threads. The stitched sample uses Very Velvet and Frosty Rays. Both of those threads add a certain puff to the stitched sample. Confetti or Rachelette would be a fun alternative for the Frosty Rays. Right now, I am pondering how fun it could be to use Gloriana's Chenille for the triangles (on 13-mesh).

Other substantial threads, albeit with less puff, are Silk & Ivory, Planet Earth Wool, Planet Earth Silk, or Kreinik Metallics (size 12 or 16). Fyre Werks and Flair are great metallic threads to consider as well. While they may appear lighter weight, they are great threads as they lie flat and wide. They make great accent threads.

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, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells stitch guides for Melissa Shirley Designs and Zecca Designs. 28 guides are currently available, including the newest Tea by the Sea, and more are in the pipeline.

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