Two is Better than One

Today's #smallspacesunday is a simple pattern stitch. Using two different threads makes an interesting and important difference in the final look.

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.

As a refresher, Pattern Stitching is the use of what I call Plain Needlepoint to create unique patterns. Other examples are here, here, and here. The stitched sample is from my Stitch Concept for Frank’s Rug (by Frank Beilec distributed through Maggie & Co). It uses Splendor and Kreinik Tapestry Braid (size 12) on 13-mesh.

Back to my opening comment about two threads. I was drawn to this stitch because the two different threads add gentle direction to an otherwise simple stitch. The difference between the threads can be color, finish, or both.

The stitch is used as a background in the stitched sample. It will also be lovely for water, ground cover, or sky. For water, I suggest two colors of a lightweight Kreinik Metallic or Petite Silk Lame. I would love to see the ground cover stitched in an overdyed silk floss, such as Silk ‘N Colors, matched with a solid silk Floss, such as Soie D’Alger or Planet Earth Silk Floss. The sky will be pretty with a matte and metallic combination like the stitched sample. It will make a cute floor with Impressions and Silk Lame. I think you might get the idea.

This stitch is scalable. Consider increasing the number of stitches in each block for a wider area. Also consider using the same thread for two sequential rows and a different thread for the next two.

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 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! 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!

Work in Progress

I always try to integrate at least one or two new (to me) stitches in any new Stitch Guides and Stitch Concepts. This keeps my repeat students on their toes and keeps this blog pumping. Today’s stitch comes from Snowy, a new Stitch Concept I’m working on. (It will be ready in mid-July.)

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 blue Gloriana Silk Floss and green Flair. I used two colors because I wanted to illustrate the contrast between the pairs of stitches in opposite directions. It also packs a lot of interest into a small area. I love it when that happens with small stitches!

This will be one of many leaf stitches on Snowy. (And many is an understatement.) For Snowy, I will be using a lighter weight thread (in a single color) so the beautiful shading will show through. The candidates are Silk Perlee, 2 plies of Silk Floss, Silk Lame, or possibly Elegance. So many wonderful choices! The reality is whichever of those threads falls in the right color family will end up in the piece.

I’m so glad I stitched this with two colors. Just as last Wednesday, more ideas popped in my head as I stitched it. I would love to see this as a sweater with two contrasting Merino wools, or a wool and a metallic. Tweedy or Rainbow Linen would make a cute roof, say on a Debbie Mumm stocking. I would love to see it as a tree stitch with one of the gorgeous Silk ‘N Colors greens.

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! 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!

Procrastination Squared

I need to rip out a section on a current needlepoint project. Naturally, the solution is to post the blog I intended to post last Sunday. I am confident my kitchen cabinet will be reorganized before I finish ripping out the stitching. Okay, before I even start.

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.

A stitching friend shared this stitch (without the beads) with me a while ago. I immediately forgot about it (#middleagedbrain) and went on my merry way. While looking for a small stitch for a wing, I stumbled across it in my photo stream, added some beads, and voila!

The stitched sample comes from Joanna at the Plum Stitchery. It’s from 4 Colly Birds, part of the Twelvetide Club hosted by the Wool & the Willow in Cleveland Heights. It uses two plies of Needlepoint Inc. silk floss and a size 14 Sundance Bead (on 18-mesh).

This stitch would be perfect for water with a lightweight metallic (Kreinik size 4 or size 8, ThreadWorx size 4 or size 8, Petite Silk Lame, or Flair) and a seed bead. (Great seed bead resources include Bead Dazzle, Caravan Beads, Sundance Designs, or S&J Designs.) This stitch will make an adorable jacket for an elf or a doll dress with Petite Very Velvet and a size 11 seed bead. Consider alternating matte and metallic threads by horizontal row. A suggested thread combo is 4 plies of silk floss for the matte with Silk Lame (18-count) for the metallic with a seed bead or a Swarovski round crystal for the bead accent.

Why 4-ply when you used 2-ply in the stitched sample? It’s all a matter of taste, the thread combos, and what your are trying to accomplish. I used two plies for the birds because I wanted the shading on the chest to show through. I recommended four plies for the alternating example because I needed the weight of the matte thread to be similar to the weight of the metallic thread. Otherwise, the metallic thread would overpower the area.

Technically, today is a two-fer as you can eliminate the beads for a more straightforward small space stitch. You could also add two small beads in each intersection for a truly glamorous stitch. (Stitch diagrams are never truly to scale, so please trust me that this will work.) You could also add the beads over three holes, instead of two as illustrated, for even more possibilities.

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.

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!

Fly Away!

I’ve got birds on the brain right now due to a flock of new Stitch Concepts and Guides I’m working on. This is a good challenge for me because I’m on the hunt for small diagonal stitches to add direction to the birds.

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 from one of the upcoming guides. It uses Soie D’Alger (black lines) and Petite Silk Lame (gray lines).

Using two threads in pairs of stitches adds a small bit of texture and interest to the area without overwhelming it. You could accomplish the same thing by alternating oblique columns by thread.

This would make a great stitch for an open field with Silk ‘N Colors (black lines) and a solid silk floss. For a small body of water, I would use two related colors of a lightweight Kreinik Metallic, such as a turquoise and a blue. For a roof, I would use a strand of Impressions mated with Rainbow Linen or Lorikeet.

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.

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!

The Other Small Space Stitch

Today's stitch is the other small space stitch I turn to when I want the lightest of touches. While it is a small stitch, it works anywhere.

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 stitch is such a great way to enhance shading in small areas. The stitched samples illustrate skin with a single ply of Splendor (top left), shading inside of a teacup with (with two plies of Soie D’Alger), and two windows (bottom right with Kreinik size 8 and bottom left with Petite Silk Lame). Other ideas include stone work with a ThreadWorx overdyed perle cotton, small bodies of water or skies with a lightweight Kreinik, groundcover with Lorikeet. This stitch is also an effective tactic to help areas adjacent to dramatic stitches recede.

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.

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!

Singleton

Today's stitch over a single canvas thread. I think it’s pretty cool you can do this much over a single canvas thread. Just one canvas thread.

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 a green Neon Rays on the edge of a white column on a Santa from a Melissa Shirley tree skirt. Starting at the top of a column, add an oblique cross stitch (over one row and up two), starting the next oblique cross stitch one row below, with the top of the stitch ending in the skipped row of the previous stitch. My recommended sequence for the individual oblique crosses is included on the right of the diagram.

To be honest, I had forgotten about this stitch. I stumbled across it looking for something else (naturally). The texture and the contrast against the white caught my eye. Voila! I have a blog post. (Seriously…that happens way more than you realize).

It would be a great addition to any striped area, such as a wall, floor, roof, clothing…the list is really quite endless.

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! 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!

Skipping Along

Today’s stitch explodes an old stand by stitch, making it perfect for a small to medium-sized area with shading.

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 from our friends The Marquis Sisters (@themarquissisters on instagram) and uses Straw Silk on the ground of an adorable Raymond Crawford rooster. It’s a great thread choice for the area AND this stitch as the color variations on the thread work perfectly with the colors of the painted ground.

Clearly, the stitch is perfect for a ground cover and, by extension, a green field. I would love to see it as a floor with two different colors. It would be a charming sky with a lightweight Silk Perle or even choppy water with Petite 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 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! 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!

Super #smallspacesunday

No matter your POV on the Super Bowl, it’s a great day to stitch. Football is great Stitch TV. If you aren’t a passionate football fan and, like me, stuck in some less than ideal weather, what a great excuse to snuggle inside and stitch. Today’s #smallspacesunday stitch is a great addition to an already perfect day.

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 from our friend, Sarah (via our other friend Amy Poore of A Poore Girl Paints). As the background stitch, it adds interest but doesn’t overpower the rest of the adorable-ness of the piece.

I’ve used this stitch in a few Stitch Concepts. It’s great for a small area of snow with a metallic such as Entice or Kreinik. I’ve used it for a floor with Elegance. To add some interest, consider alternating thread colors or finishes by column (horizontal or vertical…it does not matter).

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.

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!

Such a Square

Today's stitch is a distant cousin of Brick Beading with a little surprise.

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.

It’s a great way to draw attention to a small space and super easy. Add the beads first, follow with the squares.

The stitched sample uses size 11 Sundance Beads and DMC Perle Cotton #5 (on 13-mesh). I had all but forgotten about this stitch, even though it sits on my office wall. It’s a flower in my Shell Table project. (There’s also a blue version of Shell Table!)

I would love to see it as water, using Kreinik or Petite Silk Lame along with a bead. It would make a cute party hat with Neon Rays and beads. I want to play with it for a bird using variegated silk floss and maybe a Hex bead. I might have to get on that one sooner rather than later.

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.

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!

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!