Diamonds Galore

Social media algorithms are scary until they deliver something perfect like they did for me last week.

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 inspiration for today’s stitch was an embroidery diagram Pinterest served up to me after last week’s post. I considered replicating the connected squares by using Smryna Crosses but chose to minimize it via single stitches. I love the precise elegance of it.

As with last week’s stitch, this stitch would be a beautiful floor, sky, wall, plain background, or roof. Notice how the 3X3 diamonds are tent stitches skipping a row in between. You could add small seed beads in those intersections for an even more elegant stitch that would be gorgeous on clothing.

The stitched sample is me playing on 18-mesh canvas with Pepper Pot Silk. I like single strand threads for stitches like this. I like the added height that single strand threads, such as perle cotton, silk perle, single strand silk, and metallic braids add to an area.

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!

Squares Can Be Cool

I am a complete square…always have and always will be. But today’s square stitch, unlike me, is very cool.

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 inspiration for today’s stitch was an embroidery diagram I found on Pinterest. It’s another example of what I call Pattern Stitching. I wrote several posts about that a couple years ago (here, here, and here) that provide you with additional insight and ideas for pattern stitching.

The precise pattern makes a beautiful floor, especially if there is gorgeous shading to be shared (as the stitched sample illustrates). A tone on tone version, while more subtle, serves well as a back drop, such as a sky, wall, bed or seat cover, or roof.

The stitched sample uses Princess Perle on 18-mesh. I like single strand threads for stitches like this. I like the added height that single strand threads, such as perle cotton, silk perle, single strand silk, and metallic braids add to an area.

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!

Kismet

I wanted a stitch.  I wanted a different kind of stitch.  I wanted a different kind of stitch that I liked.  Voila!  Enter the Marquis sisters.  We now have a 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.

Eleanor and Liz (the aforementioned sisters) used this as a background for an Art Deco Melissa Shirley witch.  It's quite perfect as the background available to stitch was somewhat narrow and tall.  Eleanor used a single strand of Floche.  (Heart, be still.  I love Floche.)

This stitch offers a respectable amount of coverage for such an open stitch.  The doubling up of the hexagons is a nice touch and enhances the openness when paired with the long connectors. 

We already know it makes a great background.  I would love to flip it 90 degrees and use it as a sky or a body of water.  It will be great for architectural elements such as a roof, floor, wallpaper, etc.  When I play with it, I'm already thinking about stitch columns in alternating colors or finishes, or both.  For example, alternate a brown overdyed wool or cotton with a solid brown wool for a roof.  Another idea is to alternate two values of blue Kreiniks for a water 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, and Patience Brewster.  61 guides are currently available, with 13 new Stitch Concepts just added! 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! And thank you, Eleanor! 

Twinkle Season

It's the most sparkly time of the year!  Today's stitch comes from my Christmas tree.  Literally. 

I combined bugle beads and a small pearl for a fun take on a Parisian stitch for the white stripes on a Melissa Shirley ornament.  I strongly recommend adding the beads on the horizontal axis.  Start with the bugle beads and end with the pearls.  This would be darling with mixed colors.  

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!

Sashiko

Sashiko is a form of Japanese embroidery that utilizes running stitches to create geometric patterns, typically done with white thread on an indigo fabric.  Sashiko means "little stabs" and refers to the small stitches in the pattern(s).  It is quite stunning in its simplicity.   (Visit here, here, and here for more insight about Sashiko.)

I love the symmetry of Sashiko.  Today's post is just one of many patterns I thought would be beautiful in needlepoint.  

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.

This is a good opportunity to remind you, dear readers, about how I approach stitch diagrams.  I often use 2+ colors in a diagram to offer insight on sequence and/or thread opportunities.  In other words, if there are lines of two colors, this could mean two different threads or simply clarity on how to best navigate a stitch with a single thread.

Today's two colors, in my opinion, should be two different threads, whether it be similar values with different finishes, or two different colors altogether.  The stitched sample uses two colors of Trebizond silk to provide absolute clarity on how the center element (aqua lines in diagram and light pink thread in sample) is a separate element.

I'm going to bore you again with my ideas for how to use this stitch.  It appears an unintentional theme of this month is background stitches.  Yes, this would make a perfect background or wallpaper.  The size of this pattern necessitates a larger space.  I would love to use it as a sky with a matte and metallic or a ground cover with two different color threads (similar to the stitched sample).

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 and stitch concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, and Patience Brewster.  41 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

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

Fair and Square

This morning's stitch is a series of connected squares. It's straightforward, scalable, and a tiny bit sassy. It's tempting to add something in any of the centers, but the simplicity is what I like about this stitch. In other words, leave it alone.  :)

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.

Just as the first pattern stitch this month, this stitch works best in an area that needs to recede such as a background. I would love to try this stitch on a large window with a lightweight Kreinik. The stitched sample on Instagram is a background on Melissa Shirley's Pumpkin Patch (a piece I'm dying to finish...someday).

This is a large open stitch and every effort should be made to minimize visible threads across the back of the canvas. To accomplish this, I have a couple suggestions. First, for people who use waste knots (me!), begin your thread on the axis that includes a connecting row (at least 10-12 rows away from your starting point). You can cover the waste knot as you stitch the connector while making sure the thread is snug and hidden behind that same row in the open area.

My second piece of advice is to start rows in corners as much as possible. For example, after I stitched a connector (on a subsequent square), I landed in the middle of a row on the new square. I added that center stitch (again, to minimize visible threads on the back) and moved immediately to a corner and stitched the remainder of that side of the square. Typically, when I completed a square, I was next to a connector row, meaning I could go down one row to add the connector row and then repeat.  

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

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

Diamonds. Duh.

As you know, I love diamond stitches for any number of reasons.  And, of course, my version of Pattern Stitching includes diamonds.

A classic approach is to utilize Plain Needlepoint in opposite directions, as illustrated by the diagram below.  This is a beautiful accent to any background or surface you want to minimize.  The stitched sample is the first version with Mandarin Floss on 18-mesh.  

To dress it up a little, I created a second version with select stitches over two rows (far right).  

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.

I like the potential the second version represents.  I see all stitches in the same color, but the stitches over two rows in a different finish, especially metallic.  It's such a subtle touch that will make any area with this stitch recede but with a tiny sparkle that will still draw some attention to it.

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, Zecca Designs, and Patience Brewster.  41 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

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