Navigating Diamonds

Today’s stitched sample may look incomplete. It is, but it also illustrates two versions of the stitch. And, best of all, the stitched sample shows how to navigate compensation through large areas.

Click the image to see the whimsicalstitch.com Stitch Library on pinterest.com. Includes all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click the image to see #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday Stitched Sample Gallery on Instagram

The idea for this stitch started when I was working on a different diamond stitch a couple of weeks ago. The stitched sample uses the identical three plies of Soie Cristale (black lines) and two strands of Petite Silk Lame (aqua lines). This stitch has the perfect amount of openness for a background. The top of the canvas includes the Upright Crosses in the center of the diamonds, and the bottom eliminates them to give it a lighter look. (I will add the Upright Crosses in the open diamonds for the final background.)

Navigating the compensation through the flowers wasn’t fun in the beginning. Looking closely at the stitched sample, you’ll see yellow stitches at the top and bottom of the pink flower. Those are what I call fake stitching. I took a piece of random thread on my desk and stitched the bare minimum of the stitch through an area to get to the next patch of background.

I typically stitch from the center of a piece and out to the edges, meaning I do the background last most of the time. I am aware I am an outlier here, but it’s what works for me. I don’t love the idea of my arms or hands on top of existing stitching, especially on larger canvases. If a background requires delicate compensation around branches or other fiddly areas, I’ll stitch the background in the center and leave the remaining for later. Today’s example is a perfect case of when to do the background first. Compensation through stitched areas is not my favorite thing to do.

I hope you have the perfect spot for today’s stitch. Have fun playing with it!

Click on image to see the whimsicalstitch.com Stitch Library on pinterest.com. Includes all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

As you are auditioning stitches (from any stitch source), count the number of canvas threads on the diagram that match your mesh size. And there you have what an inch of the stitch will look like. Evaluate that against the area where you plan to use the stitch and make your final decision. If you start integrating this step into your stitch selection process, you may be surprised at how many stitches you think are large are much smaller than you realize.

By (sometimes) including this step in my own process, I find I am now integrating much longer stitches than I ever thought I would. I used to think a stitch six rows long was super big. I have very much changed my tune, which has helped me expand my creativity, especially for large-space stitches.

Today’s 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, there's more. Mary’s Whimsical Stitches is a series of four books offering contemporary how-to collections of more than 200 stitches (in each volume) for all stitchers, regardless of skill level. All books include updated and sequenced diagrams from this blog, plus a collection of all-new stitches from private lessons and other class projects. Visit here to find a needlepoint retailer that carries my books.

New to needlepoint or looking for a refresher? Please download a handy how-to 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, the layering of colors demonstrates you add them in that order.  They can also provide ideas on integrating 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!

Cheat Day

Cheat days should not be just for diets. I say this because I feel a tiny bit guilty in sharing a variation of a recent stitch. But it’s really cute, I promise.

Click the image to see the whimsicalstitch.com Stitch Library on pinterest.com. Includes all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click the image to see #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday Stitched Sample Gallery on Instagram

The stitch is a variation of a stitch I shared a few weeks ago. The customer kept the spirit of the stitch intact but chose a rectangular shape. I really like both, but this one is a centimeter ahead in my heart because I don’t know when I would have thought of a rectangle for this effect. I am speaking of using a single stitch and thread combination for an entire multi-colored area. My student, Lynn, hit this out of the park with a size 8 Kreinik (for all lines) on an 18M canvas.

Using one stitch for a multi-colored area such as this background defines the background and clearly distinguishes it from the subject of the piece. I’m not sure where this idea originated, but I have seen several beautiful examples of it out in the wild. I was thrilled to have a piece where it was the perfect solution, finally!

It is also fair of me to warn you there will be rectangle columns somewhere in the future.

I hope you have the perfect spot for today’s stitch. Have fun playing with it!

Click on image to see the whimsicalstitch.com Stitch Library on pinterest.com. Includes all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

As you are auditioning stitches (from any stitch source), count the number of canvas threads on the diagram that match your mesh size. And there you have what an inch of the stitch will look like. Evaluate that against the area where you plan to use the stitch and make your final decision. If you start integrating this step into your stitch selection process, you may be surprised at how many stitches you think are large are much smaller than you realize.

By (sometimes) including this step in my own process, I find I am now integrating much longer stitches than I ever thought I would. I used to think a stitch six rows long was super big. I have very much changed my tune, which has helped me expand my creativity, especially for large-space stitches.

Today’s 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, there's more. Mary’s Whimsical Stitches is a series of four books offering contemporary how-to collections of more than 200 stitches (in each volume) for all stitchers, regardless of skill level. All books include updated and sequenced diagrams from this blog, plus a collection of all-new stitches from private lessons and other class projects. Visit here to find a needlepoint retailer that carries my books.

New to needlepoint or looking for a refresher? Please download a handy how-to 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, the layering of colors demonstrates you add them in that order.  They can also provide ideas on integrating 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!

My Kind of Town (Chicago Is)

I can count on laughter, lively conversation, and a good stitch whenever I visit Emily’s Stitchery in Northbrook, IL. My visit this past weekend was no different.

Click the image to see the whimsicalstitch.com Stitch Library on pinterest.com. Includes all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click the image to see #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday Stitched Sample Gallery on Instagram

The stitch is a floor for a trio of elephants. (Naturally.) The stitched sample uses five plies of blue Splendor (black lines) and a single ply of white Watercolours (yellow lines). I created the stitch for the floor to support a companion stitch going up the wall above it. (I’m hoping to share the wall at a later date.)

I want to try this stitch on a roof or simply painted house walls with Rainbow Linen for the black lines and a silk or cotton floss for the yellow lines. It will also make an adorable checked shirt with two tones of Pepper Pot Silk or Vineyard Silk.

The best thing about this stitch is its scalability. Making the sides longer or wider for a larger area will be so easy. You could even make the shapes rectangles instead of squares.

I hope you have the perfect spot for today’s stitch. Have fun playing with it!

Click on image to see the whimsicalstitch.com Stitch Library on pinterest.com. Includes all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

As you are auditioning stitches (from any stitch source), count the number of canvas threads on the diagram that match your mesh size. And there you have what an inch of the stitch will look like. Evaluate that against the area where you plan to use the stitch and make your final decision. If you start integrating this step into your stitch selection process, you may be surprised at how many stitches you think are large are much smaller than you realize.

By (sometimes) including this step in my own process, I find I am now integrating much longer stitches than I ever thought I would. I used to think a stitch six rows long was super big. I have very much changed my tune, which has helped me expand my creativity, especially for large-space stitches.

Today’s 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, there's more. Mary’s Whimsical Stitches is a series of four books offering contemporary how-to collections of more than 200 stitches (in each volume) for all stitchers, regardless of skill level. All books include updated and sequenced diagrams from this blog, plus a collection of all-new stitches from private lessons and other class projects. Visit here to find a needlepoint retailer that carries my books.

New to needlepoint or looking for a refresher? Please download a handy how-to 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, the layering of colors demonstrates you add them in that order.  They can also provide ideas on integrating 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!

Big Blue Sky

Today’s stitch started out as a stitch I introduced in an embellishment class for a sky behind a witch (by Melissa Shirley) and ended up as the sky behind a row of houses on a Melissa Shirley winter Christmas piece. I promise it is a great candidate for a sky stitch on designs by any designer and not just those created by Melissa Shirley.

Click the image to see the whimsicalstitch.com Stitch Library on pinterest.com. Includes all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click the image to see #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday Stitched Sample Gallery on Instagram.

The inspiration for this stitch comes from the Straight Shifts stitch in book 3. Today’s stitched sample (from the Melissa Shirley Christmas piece) includes narrow bands (three rows) of stitches, using two plies of Soie D'Alger (black lines) and Petite Silk Lame (yellow lines). The space between the bands is random to add more organic motion.

Those same open spaces between the bands were the inspiration to make the small snowflakes (or stars) stand out more. The snowflakes were painted as simple 2X2 white squares. I added a crystal O bead (from artbeads.com) and attached it with a 2mm faux pearl from S&J Designs.

Meanwhile, back on the Melissa Shirley witch, my independent-minded customer added two more rows of metallic to each band. (In unsurprising news, she used Soie d’Alger for the black lines and Petite Silk Lame for the yellow lines, as illustrated on the right.) She reduced the amount of space between the bands, and I think it worked perfectly. (Full disclosure: I asked her for the stitched samples Tuesday morning and told her how I was going to present it in the blog post. Her response? “I am honored and humbled to be your student gone bad!!! I am really not worthy.”)

It’s a fun stitch that may not work everywhere, but I am looking forward to using it for water with two shades of lightweight Kreinik. I also think the denser version from the witch sample would actually make a really interesting stitch for a moon with silk floss and a lightweight metallic (Kreinik or Petite Silk Lame).

Click on image to see the whimsicalstitch.com Stitch Library on pinterest.com. Includes all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

As you are auditioning stitches (from any stitch source), count the number of canvas threads on the diagram that match your mesh size. And there you have what an inch of the stitch will look like. Evaluate that against the area where you plan to use the stitch and make your final decision. If you start integrating this step into your stitch selection process, you may be surprised at how many stitches you think are large are much smaller than you realize.

By (sometimes) including this step in my own process, I find I am now integrating much longer stitches than I ever thought I would. I used to think a stitch six rows long was super big. I have very much changed my tune, which has helped me expand my creativity, especially for large-space stitches.

Today’s 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, there's more. Mary’s Whimsical Stitches is a series of four books offering contemporary how-to collections of more than 200 stitches (in each volume) for all stitchers, regardless of skill level. All books include updated and sequenced diagrams from this blog, plus a collection of all-new stitches from private lessons and other class projects. Visit here to find a needlepoint retailer that carries my books.

New to needlepoint or looking for a refresher? Please download a handy how-to 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, the layering of colors demonstrates you add them in that order.  They can also provide ideas on integrating 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!

Going Down the Rabbit Hole

I flew down the rabbit hole last week to find the moon stitch I was looking for and couldn’t be happier with my two choices!

Click the image to see the whimsicalstitch.com Stitch Library on pinterest.com. Includes all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click the image to see #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday Stitched Sample Gallery on Instagram.

As you can see, the layered diamond I shared last week was the jumping-off point for this week’s stitches. After some trial and error, I added some space between the layered stitches at the tip of each diamond so I could have more fun with the stitch inside the diamond. It was so much fun to play with stitches in either of the open spaces created by the layered diamonds (yellow lines) that I ended up with two stitches for today. In all honesty, I love the layered diamonds all by themselves without any accent stitches.

The first stitched sample (above) is me playing with gold Kreinik (yellow lines) and three plies of pink Splendor (aqua lines) on 13M. I love the scale of this stitch. It has a certain elegance that will enhance so many areas. I am looking forward to using it for a vase with two shades of metallic thread, whether that is Kreinik or Petite Silk Lame. It will make a gorgeous background for an ornament. (Truth be told, you could fill a 4” round with nothing but this stitch for an ornament.)

As you may recall, my goal was to find a stitch for a moon on a Melissa Shirley holiday piece. I used the same layered diamonds and added accents inside of both open areas. It’s a fuller stitch. (It also looks smaller than above because it is on 18M.)

Click the image to see the whimsicalstitch.com Stitch Library on pinterest.com. Includes all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click the image to see #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday Stitched Sample Gallery on Instagram.

The threads for the moon are a size 8 Kreinik (yellow lines), Flair (aqua lines), and two plies of white Splendor (black lines) on 18M. The black lines, while an afterthought, were a fun way to connect the layered diamonds and fill what I thought was a little bit of a large space. It is highly likely I will replace the Splendor with either the same white Kreinik as the yellow lines or a very pale shade of a blue or yellow Kreinik. Time will tell.

Either of these stitches will add interest to whatever area you have in mind, whether it is a pumpkin or clothing. (Still stuck on pumpkins as I am writing this post on Halloween, but pumpkins are always looking for great stitches.) I would love to see the pumpkin with layered diamonds stitched with Petite Very Velvet (yellow lines), orange Kreinik (aqua lines), and an orange Fyre Werks (black lines).

A lot of fun is to be had with this stitch, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I am.

Click on image to see the whimsicalstitch.com Stitch Library on pinterest.com. Includes all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

As you are auditioning stitches (from any stitch source), count the number of canvas threads on the diagram that match your mesh size. And there you have what an inch of the stitch will look like. Evaluate that against the area where you plan to use the stitch and make your final decision. If you start integrating this step into your stitch selection process, you may be surprised at how many stitches you think are large are much smaller than you realize.

By (sometimes) including this step in my own process, I find I am now integrating much longer stitches than I ever thought I would. I used to think a stitch six rows long was super big. I have very much changed my tune, which has helped me expand my creativity, especially for large-space stitches.

Today’s 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, there's more. Mary’s Whimsical Stitches is a series of four books offering contemporary how-to collections of more than 200 stitches (in each volume) for all stitchers, regardless of skill level. All books include updated and sequenced diagrams from this blog, plus a collection of all-new stitches from private lessons and other class projects. Visit here to find a needlepoint retailer that carries my books.

New to needlepoint or looking for a refresher? Please download a handy how-to 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, the layering of colors demonstrates you add them in that order.  They can also provide ideas on integrating 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!

When Things Go Right

Today’s stitch was a journey. It started out as something utterly different and I’m thrilled with where it landed.

Click the image to see the whimsicalstitch.com Stitch Library on pinterest.com. Includes all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click the image to see #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday Stitched Sample Gallery on Instagram.

The stitched sample is me playing with a batch of colorful threads, including Neon Rays (black lines), four plies of Spendor (yellow lines), and Fyre Werks (aqua lines) on 13M.

The first place I want to use this stitch is a pumpkin. Yes, that has everything to do with the orange Neon Rays. I would add an orange Twinkle for the yellow lines and a copper or gold Kreinik for the aqua lines. I also look forward to including it in a stitch plan for a jacket with silk floss for the black lines, a lightweight Kreinik or Petite Silk Lame for the yellow lines, and Silk Lame for the aqua lines.

I played with diagonal stitches and straight stitches for the center and preferred the coverage of the diagonal stitches. I am also playing with its scalability and will report back. Have fun with it!

Click on image to see the whimsicalstitch.com Stitch Library on pinterest.com. Includes all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

As you are auditioning stitches (from any stitch source), count the number of canvas threads on the diagram that match your mesh size. And there you have what an inch of the stitch will look like. Evaluate that against the area where you plan to use the stitch and make your final decision. If you start integrating this step into your stitch selection process, you may be surprised at how many stitches you think are large are much smaller than you realize.

By (sometimes) including this step in my own process, I find I am now integrating much longer stitches than I ever thought I would. I used to think a stitch six rows long was super big. I have very much changed my tune, which has helped me expand my creativity, especially for large-space stitches.

Today’s 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, there's more. Mary’s Whimsical Stitches is a series of four books offering contemporary how-to collections of more than 200 stitches (in each volume) for all stitchers, regardless of skill level. All books include updated and sequenced diagrams from this blog, plus a collection of all-new stitches from private lessons and other class projects. Visit here to find a needlepoint retailer that carries my books.

New to needlepoint or looking for a refresher? Please download a handy how-to 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, the layering of colors demonstrates you add them in that order.  They can also provide ideas on integrating 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!

Again?

Sharing stories of some of my favorite stitchers was not a planned theme for this and the past couple of weeks, but here we are again. I’m pretty sure this stitcher gave me a minute to get settled before she asked me for help on a background. I immediately knew what I wanted her to do, and she had most of it done by the next morning. (All kidding aside, she gave me more than a minute to settle and thanked me profusely, though I love teasing her that she didn’t.)

Click the image to see the whimsicalstitch.com Stitch Library on pinterest.com. Includes all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click the image to see #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday Stitched Sample Gallery on Instagram.

The stitched sample is the background on a sweet Sew Much Fun piece. The painting portrayed a beautiful watercolor-y effect that few threads could pull off in a basketweave or decorative stitch with multiple threads. The solution was a size 8 Kreinik in a simple open pattern that allows alllllll the colors to shine. It was absolute perfection and Suzy stitched it perfectly.

This stitch is also a great tabletop. The squares can be converted into diamonds by adding a second thread. It’s a deceptively fun variation, as illustrated on the right.

Click on image to see the whimsicalstitch.com Stitch Library on pinterest.com. Includes all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

As you are auditioning stitches (from any stitch source), count the number of canvas threads on the diagram that match your mesh size. And there you have what an inch of the stitch will look like. Evaluate that against the area where you plan to use the stitch and make your final decision. If you start integrating this step into your stitch selection process, you may be surprised at how many stitches you think are large are much smaller than you realize.

By (sometimes) including this step in my own process, I find I am now integrating much longer stitches than I ever thought I would. I used to think a stitch six rows long was super big. I have very much changed my tune, which has helped me expand my creativity, especially for large-space stitches.

Today’s 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, there's more. Mary’s Whimsical Stitches is a series of four books offering contemporary how-to collections of more than 200 stitches (in each volume) for all stitchers, regardless of skill level. All books include updated and sequenced diagrams from this blog, plus a collection of all-new stitches from private lessons and other class projects. Visit here to find a needlepoint retailer that carries my books.

New to needlepoint or looking for a refresher? Please download a handy how-to 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, the layering of colors demonstrates you add them in that order.  They can also provide ideas on integrating 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!

What If We...?

One of my favorite stitchers wanted something a little different than what I suggested for a floor and that’s how we got this adorable little cashmere composite. She wanted something “tile-y but with a little something I can’t describe.” Um, sure?

Click the image to see the whimsicalstitch.com Stitch Library on pinterest.com. Includes all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click the image to see #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday Stitched Sample Gallery on Instagram.

The stitched sample is a floor stitched with two plies of white Splendor (black lines), light blue Petite Silk Lame (turquoise lines), and Elegance (yellow lines) on 18M. It’s absolutely full coverage but I like how the lighter threads help keep it chill. Well, as chill as three different threads can be in such a small space.

I love this idea for a jacket or coat with a hefty Vineyard Silk or Petite Very Velvet for the black lines, a Kreinik metallic for the turquoise lines, and Flair for the yellow lines to add a little peace and quiet. It will also make an adorable pathway with perle cotton for the black lines, a second perle in a slightly darker shade of its mate for the turquoise lines, and some silk floss for the yellow lines to mellow it out a little. I know people either love or loathe perle cotton. I absolutely love it in certain applications, especially size 8, largely because of its unique finish. I feel like you can see and identify it immediately because it is unique in our world of single-strand silks.

Have fun with it!

Click on image to see the whimsicalstitch.com Stitch Library on pinterest.com. Includes all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

As you are auditioning stitches (from any stitch source), count the number of canvas threads on the diagram that match your mesh size. And there you have what an inch of the stitch will look like. Evaluate that against the area where you plan to use the stitch and make your final decision. If you start integrating this step into your stitch selection process, you may be surprised at how many stitches you think are large are much smaller than you realize.

By (sometimes) including this step in my own process, I find I am now integrating much longer stitches than I ever thought I would. I used to think a stitch six rows long was super big. I have very much changed my tune, which has helped me expand my creativity, especially for large-space stitches.

Today’s 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, there's more. Mary’s Whimsical Stitches is a series of four books offering contemporary how-to collections of more than 200 stitches (in each volume) for all stitchers, regardless of skill level. All books include updated and sequenced diagrams from this blog, plus a collection of all-new stitches from private lessons and other class projects. Visit here to find a needlepoint retailer that carries my books.

New to needlepoint or looking for a refresher? Please download a handy how-to 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, the layering of colors demonstrates you add them in that order.  They can also provide ideas on integrating 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!

Stash Threads for the Win

It was a circuitous journey to arrive at today’s stitch, but I think it was worth it. And I learned a lot along the way.

Click image to see the whimsicalstitch Stitch Library on pinterest.com. Includes all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click image to see #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday Stitched Sample Gallery on Instagram.

The stitched sample is me playing with Splendor (5-ply) and Flair (black lines), Kreinik Japan Thread #5 (yellow lines), and Fyre Werks (aqua lines) on 13M.

Splendor and Flair is not a typo. Most of my stitch and thread choices involve the use of a matte thread for the primary thread with metallic accent(s). I realized that the original Splendor choice needed something more to help with coverage and I really didn’t want to add more plies. The solution was to add a layer of Flair on top of the Splendor to gain the final coverage (in both directions) I was looking for. Flair is so good for this because it can lay flat and, more importantly, spread a little for the perfect poof of coverage. Having Kreinik Japan Thread in my stash was the chef’s kiss for this stitch because it had the structure needed for the diamond trellis. (Stitching this sample took way too long, but it was so worth it.)

I’m looking forward to using versions of this stitch for a fence with wools and possibly more Japan Thread. It will also make a beautiful bedspread with Alpaca (black lines), a Kreinik Metallic (yellow lines), and Flair (aqua lines). Substituting an oversize bead or small pearl for the Upright Cross is a fun variation to consider for clothing or purse, along with silk floss for the black lines and a Petite Silk Lame for the yellow lines.

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 is a series of three books offering contemporary how-to collections of more than 250 stitches (in each volume) for all stitchers, regardless of skill level. All books include updated and sequenced diagrams from this blog plus a collection of all-new stitches from private lessons and other class projects. All three books include chapters on Balanced, Diagonal, Layered, Oblique, Small, and Straight stitches. Volume 1 also includes a chapter on Borders. Volume 2 includes a chapter on Beading, and Volume 3 includes a chapter on Tent Pattern Stitches. Any or all are a great enhancement to your stitch library. Visit here to find a needlepoint retailer that carries my books.

Also, you can download for free the first chapter from my first book which covers 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!

Gather

This morning’s #smallspacesunday connects the dots with the most recent #smallspacesunday post. And, voila, we have a completed project!

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 sky that goes with the snow from the piece I shared with you a few weeks ago. The stitched sample uses three plies of Splendor on 18M. Jump over to the stitched sample on Instagram to see the final piece in its entirety.

I loved the snowflakes that Joanna painted on the canvas and knew I wanted to keep them. I brought some attention to them by stitching the four points in Cross Stitches and then added a size 11 seed bead in the center. Once that was complete, the question was how to keep the background light and vertical (to balance with the horizontal stitch on the snow). As I mentioned with the snow, I was kinda tired of darning stitches and wanted to integrate simple stitches. And blocks of five tent stitches is about as simple as it can get. I added the 3X3 squares to liven it up a little and absolutely love it.

This stitch will make really cute wallpaper, especially if you alternate colors or thread finishes (or both) between the vertical columns. I want to play with it for a window stitch with Petite Silk Lame or a lightweight Kreinik. I suspect that might be a fun surprise on a larger window.

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!