Deceptive Diagrams

December 11, 2019 whimsicalstitch

Today’s blog post is a wonderful example of how a diagram is just the beginning of what wonderful things can come from putting threads to canvas.

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 two strands of Ruth Schmuff’s Color Dreams Floche (gray lines) and three plies of Gloriana (black lines). By using strands (or plies) of thread and laying them very carefully, it creates an even more interesting look as it appears there are three separate threads for the black lines. (Truth be told, that’s how I diagrammed it at first. Fortunately, I caught that embarrassing error before it came to you.) I love the subtlety and lightness of this thread selection.

I would love to see this stitch as a roof with overdyed wool (black lines) and Rainbow Linen or Tweedy (gray lines). It will make a beautiful grassy area with single strand silk (black lines) and Silk Lame (gray lines). My last thought is to create a beautiful tablecloth with Petite Silk Lame (black lines) and a second color of Petite Silk Lame (gray lines).

This stitched sample comes from a recent project of Ruth’s that you can find here.

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.

IIf 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! 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 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!

Seems Like Yesterday

December 4, 2019 whimsicalstitch

Imagine my very pleasant surprise when I realized I never shared this stitch with you! The monogram on the back dates this pillow to 2008, which says something about the enduring appeal of this stitch.

The stitched sample is Crystal Braid (turquoise lines) and clear beads (yellow circles).

This stitch will make a lovely dress with silk floss and contrasting bead. A different approach would be to alternate two threads (one single strand silk for the horizontal tied cross and the second single strand silk for the vertical tied cross) with a matte bead for a jacket or Santa toy bag. That combo would also work well for greenery. Another fun combo for the greenery is overdyed wool and a solid wool.

As I compiled this post, it dawned on me I probably love this stitch so much because it is a very close cousin to one of my all-time favorite stitches. You do know what this means, right? I’m going to have a blast playing with the rectangles in Alternating Cashmere stitches in the days ahead.

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.

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!

What Rules?

November 20, 2019 whimsicalstitch

I’m not a fan of the needlepoint police. When students ask me if I have any rules, I insist I don’t but acknowledge I have very strong opinions on certain issues. One such “very strong opinion” is plain needlepoint is best for faces. Except, of course, if it is the face of a pumpkin who is sporting purple pants and an olive green jacket. I mean, duh.

The stitched sample uses DMC Perle Cotton (black lines), Petite Silk Lame (aqua lines), Soie D'Alger (gray lines), and Neon Rays (turquoise lines).

So, clearly this is not your typical face stitch nor is it your typical pumpkin…which is why I don’t have rules per se. Everything is relative and you have to have an open mind based on the personality of the piece, the personality of the stitcher, and the final look you are going for.

I would love to see this stitch on any pumpkin (with or without purple pants). You could use it for the purple pants with Petite Very Velvet (black lines), a medium weight Kreinik (aqua lines), any Silk Floss (gray lines), and Silk Lame (turquoise lines). It would be a gorgeous stitch for a fruit tree with your favorite combo of greens for everything but the turquoise lines. Stitch the turquoise lines in the fruit color.

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.

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!

Best Laid Plans

November 13, 2019 whimsicalstitch

I thought this morning’s blog would literally write itself. The diagram was complete…the photo of the stitched sample existed…so, it’s done, right? Do I need to tell you that this was not the stitch diagram and photo I was anticipating I would be sharing with you? Even so, it’s still kinda cute!

The stitched sample is a pear from a vintage Melissa Shirley fruit piece (as part of the pinnacle of my fruit pillow years). It uses DMC Perle Cotton (black lines), and two Kreinik Metallics (gray lines and yellow lines).

Eyelet stitches are beautiful but do require a smidgen of pre-planning. As you can see in the stitched sample above, the stitches creating an eyelet share a single and larger center hole. The larger hole was created before the stitching began by inserting a tapered laying tool inside this hole and gently pushing it to create a slightly larger hole. Truth be told, this terrified me and I always found someone to do it for me…or wouldn’t do eyelet stitches at all. I got over it when I realized, to create similarly sized holes, you could put a small tick or tiny rubber band (ask your kid’s orthodontist for some) on the laying tool to indicate what point to not pass.

The second point to keep in mind is, with any hole that multiple (more than 2-3) stitches share, always stitch from the outer edge to the inside shared hole. This minimizes friction on the thread inside the shared hole. (Also, fun fact for you. Eyelet holes don’t have to be in the center!)

This is a great all-purpose stitch for an area that you want to draw attention to and highlight the canvas painting. It’s great for clothing, water, Santa’s bags…even a floor. More substantial threads will draw even more attention to this stitch. For example, consider the combination of a single strand silk (Vineyard Silk, Pepper Pot Silk) for the black lines, Fyre Werks for the gray lines, and Silk Lame for the yellow lines for a clothing or bag stitch. Another idea is to replace the Smyrna Cross (yellow lines) with a single larger bead (size 8 or even a 3mm pearl) over two holes on the vertical axis.

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! 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!

Gobble Gobble

November 6, 2019 whimsicalstitch

Today’s stitch is a clever combination of two different sized leaves from an adorable little turkey. I can’t wait to integrate it into an upcoming project!

The stitched sample is from our friends at the Knotted Needle in Grosse Pointe. It uses Gloriana Silk Floss.

I diagrammed the smaller leaf in a different color to draw attention to the accent. I love integrating tiny accents into leaf stitches. Examples are here, here, and here (scroll down to Classic Leaf with Bead Accent example). The fact that the accent in today’s stitch is integrated directly into the leaf, versus adjacent or as a connecting device) stands out for me. And I like it a lot.

I would love to see the accent stitch in a contrasting thread, whether that is color, finish, or both. It will make a wonderful bird with an overdyed floss (black lines) and a contrasting solid metallic, such as Neon Rays or a Kreinik Metallic (yellow lines). I would flip it 180° for a tree, using an overdyed wool (black lines) with a solid silk floss (yellow lines). I would also like to play with adding 1-2 empty rows between the leaves for something a little different…and a possibility to add a bead to the mix.

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.

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 Have a Crush

October 30, 2019 whimsicalstitch

I’ve had a massive crush on today’s stitch and thread combos for a while and am excited to share them with you! (Also, look at those snowflakes!)

The stitch and stitched sample come from our friend, Ruth Schmuff. It’s from the gorgeous Winter Sleep, a gorgeous winter piece from Brenda Stofft.

The stitched sample uses Kreinik Very Fine Braid (#4) for the black lines. The aqua lines are a combination of Floche (white in the stitched sample), Petite Silk Lame (lavender in the stitched sample), and Soie Cristale (blue in the stitched sample). The snowflakes are a wonderful assortment of Swarovski flatbacks and other clear seed beads.

Clearly, this is a new go-to stitch for snow (as illustrated). I would love to see it as water with any combination of lightweight metallics, such as Kreinik, Petite Silk Lame, ThreadWorx, etc. It will make a great now-snowy hillside with a single strand of Impressions (black lines) covered with Gloriana Silk Floss or Rainbow Linen (aqua lines). It will also serve you very well as a roof with matte threads, such as Vineyard Silk (black lines) covered with another Vineyard Silk in a similar color (aqua lines). Don’t forget to flip the diagram 180° for the opposite side of the roof. If you’d like to add more visible canvas, consider making the pairs of diagonal stitches trios of diagonal 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.

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!

BOO!

October 23, 2019 whimsicalstitch

And a very happy early Halloween to you! Today celebrates one of my favorite needlepoint holidays with two darling stitches from an adorable Mary Lake Thompson stand up (from Melissa Shirley).

Allow me to address what seemed odd to me as I mapped out the diagram. The orange columns are four rows wide and the white columns are five rows wide. It seems like an unusual purposeful choice for a stitch pattern, which leads me to believe it was painted that way. I can’t confirm or deny this as the canvas isn’t listed on Melissa’s site. BUT, this now becomes a great lesson in crafting a stitch pattern to fit how something is painted. You can adjust the squares or the long columns of white tramme to fit whatever width you need. (Reason #257 why I love Tramme stitches.)

The stitched sample for the background uses orange Fyre Werks, lime green size 12 Kreinik braid, white DMC Perle Cotton, and (because there clearly was not enough metallic), YLI Shimmer Ribbon on top of the Perle Cotton. The pumpkin uses a single strand of Impressions, tied down with another Kreinik metallic. It’s bright, it’s shiny, and it’s PERFECT for Halloween.

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.

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Please enjoy! Have a wonderful #whimsicalwednesday!

All Hail!

October 16, 2019 whimsicalstitch

All hail the small crown stitch! It’s a great all-purpose stitch that adds pizazz to any area it is in.

The stitched sample uses size 8 DMC perle cotton on the wall of an adorable Melissa Shirley 3D house (18 mesh) DMC from my friends at Aristeia Needlepoint in Santa Monica.

This versatile stitch is great for trees, roofs, walls, water, and clothing. It would be cute to leave an empty row in between the horizontal columns, which would enhance any shading on the canvas. That technique would be great for little choppy waves with a lightweight metallic. I would love to see someone use two different threads (color or finish or both) for a roof or clothing. Clearly, you can flip it in or turn it 90° to accentuate a specific direction.

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.

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Please enjoy! Have a wonderful #whimsicalwednesday!

Mind Games

October 9, 2019 whimsicalstitch

How did you see this stitch at first pass? When I first saw the stitched sample, my eyes saw the diagonal flow of the stitch pairs, starting in the upper right and moving to the lower left. It was only when I created the diagram that I realized the vertical columns were identical. Now all I see is columns. It was a kinda fun mind-game, even though it is still early in the morning for such games.

The stitched sample is from FOWS (friend of whimsicalstitch.com) Ruth Schmuff. It uses two plies of Gloriana Floss on 18-mesh (for the gold area) and brown Petite Silk Lame for the brown areas above and below the gold.

This would make a gorgeous water stitch, as the gentle direction is made for water. My favorite threads for water are lightweight Kreinik Metallics or Petite Silk Lame. This will work very well with greenscapes, such as grass or fields, with silk floss or a silk perle.

You could alternate colors or finishes by column or within a column. Stitching every other pair of stitches within a column will accentuate the original directional flow I mentioned at the beginning of this blog. I think it would make an adorable sweater with two colors. Alternate matte overdyed floss with a solid floss for a floor or roof.

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.

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!

Hello October

October 2, 2019 whimsicalstitch

Today’s stitch is a very, very close cousin of a stitch I discussed in July. It’s a good example of how the direction and heavier threads make a substantial difference in very similar stitches.

The stitched sample is from the very burly chest of one of the Beach Boys, a recently added Stitch Concept. It uses all white threads, specifically Kreinik Medium Braid (#16) (gray lines), Petite Sparkle Rays (aqua lines), and Flair (black lines) on 18-mesh. I really enjoy Flair’s unique ability to absorb whatever color is painted underneath it, so the beautiful shading shows through. The larger Kreinik braid provides puffiness to each of the beetles on top of it.

Flip this stitch 90° for a choppy water, using a Kreinik Tapestry Braid (#12), Flair, and Petite Silk Lame. It will make beautiful clothing with a rich Petite Very Velvet (gray lines), Silk Lame (aqua lines), and a Kreinik Braid (#12 or #16) (black lines). For a smoother look on clothing, use a Kreinik 1/16” ribbon (gray lines) with a silk floss (such as Soie D’Alger, Planet Earth Silk, or Splendor) for the aqua lines and Flair (black lines). And, for goodness sake, don’t forget to have fun with colors. Consider using a different color for the gray to add a little surprise.

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.

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!The

#whimsicalwednesday blog