Well, Well, Well

December 18, 2022 whimsicalstitch

Well, well, well. My cherished two-sided Santa offered up a gift of a small stitch for us today…the first #smallspacesunday in far too long.

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

The stitched sample is the cutest scarf on the cutest woodland creature. My best guess is I used 5-6 strands of Designer’s Dream (a wonderful wool from back in the day) or Burmilana for the aqua lines and a size 16 Kreinik for the black lines on 13M.

The stitch sequence is straightforward. Starting two rows below the top edge, add a row (two rows wide) of vertical stitches two rows tall. Move ONE row below the first stitches and repeat, gently inserting the needle into the center of the thread immediately above, creating a tiny knit stitch. Since the knit stitches are created in the ditch between two canvas threads, skip two more ditches and repeat the straight stitches. Add a row of tent stitches over the vertical canvas thread in the center of the skipped rows. The stitched sample demonstrates how the stitch is more full coverage than the diagram implies.

One of the most common questions I field in teaching is how to navigate adjacent straight and diagonal stitches. It’s tricky! Straight stitches and diagonal stitches cover canvas threads differently. Diagonal stitches cover vertical and horizontal canvas threads. Vertical straight stitches cover horizontal canvas threads, and horizontal straight stitches cover vertical canvas threads, which can leave the opposite canvas thread mildly to significantly visible. If that visible thread irritates you, heavier thread choices help mitigate this (see below).

I think it is important to keep the appearance of both stitches (diagonal and straight) unobscured. Instinct may tell a stitcher to start the column of tent stitches on the visible canvas thread immediately adjacent to either side of the knit stitch. If you choose to do this, you end up obscuring the knit stitch AND the column of tent stitches. To keep the stitches unobscured, take a moment to see how they meet (parallel or perpendicular).

The stitches in today’s blog are parallel to each other. The straight stitches occupy single columns of holes, and each diagonal stitch occupies two holes (the beginning and the end of the stitch). All holes are occupied, and each stitch is unobscured. When straight and diagonal stitches are perpendicular to each other, they can share a hole where they meet because no stitch is obscured. To visualize that, take a look at the top edge of the scarf and how it meets the diagonal stitches from Santa’s coat.

The threads you choose for a knit stitch need to be a little “extra.” For more full coverage, audition heavier threads and/or up your typical ply count. I like flosses or lightweight strands for knit stitches because it is easier to split stitches with a needle. For fuller coverage, I would use 6-8 strands of Bella Lusso or Burmilana and 7-8 plies of cotton or silk floss. For fuller coverage on 18M, I would use 4-6 strands of Bella Lusso or Burmilana and 5-6 plies of cotton or silk floss. If you want to use metallics for the accent, select one that will confidently cover the canvas thread, such as size 16 Kreinik, Silk Lame 18 or 13, or Frosty Rays for 13M and size 12 Kreinik, Silk Lame 18, or Petite Frosty Rays for 18M.

Disclaimer: This is my perspective on navigating straight and diagonal stitches. Others may have a different point of view. We can politely agree to disagree. If this made your head explode, I apologize. It took me a long time to verbalize how I approached this apparent conundrum. My aha moment was when I realized that single diagonal stitches (tent stitches) occupy two holes. I share that in the hopes it helps my explanation make sense.

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

Just a reminder about how to evaluate stitches for size on your project.

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. (Or, in today’s case, the stitch is much larger than it looks.)

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.

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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!

Still Stuck in the 90's

December 13, 2022 whimsicalstitch

Well, my Melissa Shirley Santas are the gifts that keep on giving. Musical Santa is gifting us with today’s stitch.

Technically, this stitch was hiding behind the madness of my Santa collection that debuted earlier this month. Visit Instagram to see a sample of my needlepoint Christmas decorations this year.

The stitched sample is from the drum on the b-side of my musical Santa. (I crack myself up sometimes.) I used somewhere between six and eight plies of Splendor on 13M. (Reminder, this piece is from the 90’s. No judging on ply count.)

This is a vexing stitch yet worth your time. I included the repeated element on its own to help your journey. I strongly recommend stitching a complete element before you move on. It will make your life easier, I promise.

The repeated element is 12 rows wide and 12 rows tall, so it requires a good-sized space to get the pattern going. I’ve used it on a large-ish pumpkin back in the day with silk floss and an added X (four rows wide)over the center of the cross. It’s great for clothing, such as a jacket or sweater with Vineyard Silk, Pepper Pot Silk, or beautiful wool thread.

Just a reminder about how to evaluate stitches for size on your project.

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

90's Throwback

December 7, 2022 whimsicalstitch

Today’s stitch shows up in my home once a year as it is from one of my cherished Melissa Shirley two-sided Santa standups.

Technically, this stitch made its debut a few days ago. Visit Instagram to see a sample of my needlepoint Christmas decorations this year.

The stitched sample is 1990’s me stitching with Silk ‘n Ivory (black lines), Neon Rays (yellow lines), Frosty Rays (aqua lines), and Petite Very Velvet (gray lines) on a vintage Melissa Shirley two-sided Santa. (Today’s corresponding Instagram post also includes a full shot of both sides of Santa.)

This is a fantastic full-coverage stitch that is great for clothing. I adore the tiny pop of matte thread (Petite Very Velvet represented by the gray lines in the diagram) surrounded by metallic threads. It’s absolutely yummy. Another great thread combo for clothing is silk floss (five plies for 13M; three plies for 18M) for the black lines, Fyre Werks for the yellow lines, Flair for the aqua lines, and Vineyard Silk (13M) or Essentials (18M) for the gray lines.

I also like the idea of this stitch for a tree that you want to draw attention to in a project. I recommend Vineyard Silk (black lines), Flair (yellow lines), and an overdyed silk floss for the aqua AND gray lines.

Just a reminder about how to evaluate stitches for size on your project.

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

Test Drives

November 30, 2022 whimsicalstitch

I have two stitches to share with you today because, well, I’m indecisive. I had a lot of fun yesterday playing with stitches and color combos for some clothing and couldn’t choose between them for today’s post and, frankly, the project.

Both stitch samples are me playing with two plies of a very lovely light blue Soie D'Alger and a size 8 green Kreinik on 18M.

In unsurprising news, I’m leaning towards the first stitch simply because I love the lightness of it, which will enhance the shading in the area I’m stitching. Going forward, I can’t help but think of using it for a basket with two shades of brown Straw Silk. It will also make a beautiful vase with Silk Lame (yellow lines) and Flair (black lines). I’m also toying with the idea of adding a layer of horizontal straight stitches from edge to edge as the first step for a very interesting layered stitch.

The second stitch is full coverage, as far as I’m concerned. I’m really digging the ratio of blue to green in it, even though the area to be stitched doesn’t need that much green. I think this will make a fantastic tree trunk with a Bella Lusso Wool for the yellow lines and an overdyed wool (such as ThreadWorx) for the aqua lines. I am also looking forward to using it for clothing with a Vineyard Silk for the yellow lines and a bright metallic such as Kreinik or Fyre Werks for the aqua lines. For extra bling, consider replacing the tent stitches with seed beads.

Just a reminder about how to evaluate stitches for size on your project.

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

A Pop of Color

November 22, 2022 whimsicalstitch

Today’s stitch comes to us from one of my favorite Santa stand-ups. Technically, it belongs in a box with my other Santa stand-ups but I can’t bring myself to put it away because the color always makes me smile.

The stitch is an easy variation of a 5X5 square. By splitting the center diagonal stitch into three stitches and adding a second thread, you create a cute contrasting square. The stitched sample uses bright green and white Petite Sparkle Rays on 18M on a vintage Melissa Shirley Designs Santa.

I loved using it as a border. It was a perfect way to add a little bit of sass to the already sassy pink Santa. It’s a great all-purpose stitch that would easily work for a basket with two distinct shades of brown Straw Silk. I love the idea of it for a pathway up to a door with two distinct shades of gray Bella Lusso wool. Consider alternating the directions of the squares for a fun Halloween or Easter house.

You can also replace the contrasting center stitch with a single bead or Cross Stitch. To add a little more bling to that Halloween house, consider adding a small sequin over that single stitch. (It will be larger than the single intersection, BUT a whole lot more fun than the single intersection.)

Just a reminder about how to evaluate stitches for size on your project.

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

A Big Small Stitch

November 16, 2022 whimsicalstitch

Today’s stitch doesn’t look like much from a distance but it certainly packs a surprising little punch of interest up close.

The stitch is nothing more than diagonal paths of diagonal stitches over three with tent stitch accents on either side of where the stitches over three rows meet. That’s it…nothing more.

The stitched sample is me playing with Petite Silk Lame (for all of the lines in the diagram) on 18M. I followed the diagonal path adding a stitch over three rows and the two tent stitches on either side at the bottom of the stitch over three rows and….repeat. I do not recommend doing it across the horizontal or vertical as the threads will be visible between the diagonal columns.

I don’t typically love overtly diagonal stitches, but this one is just so sweet. This stitch will be integrated into an upcoming project for a small-ish body of water with two hues of blue metallic (either a size 8 Kreinik or Petite Silk Lame). It also makes a great roof for a Christmas stocking with Straw Silk. It will also play well for a is the

Just a reminder about how to evaluate stitches for size on your project.

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

What If?

November 9, 2022 whimsicalstitch

I change my mind a lot…even when I’m thisclose to being done with a Stitch Concept. In this case, I’m really glad I stitched the answer to the nagging question, “What would happen if I stitched only half a gingham?”

Well, I love it! But first, a little about the diagram and the stitched sample. The diagram uses two colors in the open gingham area to help distinguish the two steps I use to create a gingham pattern. The stitched sample uses a single color of Soie D'Alger for the entire open gingham area. (I used two plies for the satin columns and three for the open gingham.) The pattern was created for a tabletop (open gingham) and a wall above it (satin columns).

This is the same gingham pattern from page 160 of book 3. However, I only stitched one color for both of the steps. The first step is to add three rows of tent stitches, following a diagonal path from upper right to lower left, leaving an empty row between the rows (tent stitches in black lines). Skip seven rows and repeat. When complete, return across the canvas from the upper left to lower right with the same pattern in the opposite direction.

The star of this show is the open gingham. It will make a great background for an ornament in virtually any of your favorite solid-color threads. I’m looking forward to using it on an otherwise simple shirt with a single strand silk (Vineyard. Silk or Pepper Pot Silk) or Elegance (a silk perle) to add some surprising and subtle interest. I’m also toying with using it for a larger window with a Petite Silk Lame or Kreinik Metallics Very Fine Braid #4.

Just a reminder about how to evaluate stitches for size on your project.

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

Candy Corn Impasse Resolved!

November 2, 2022 whimsicalstitch

Whether you love or loathe candy corn, today’s stitched sample is a piece of candy corn ALL can love!

Truth be told, I was mesmerized by today’s stitch when it traveled through my Instagram feed. It looks like a simple alternating scotch stitch but is much more. The primary elements trails of diagonal scotch (the black lines from the lower left to the upper right). The space between those trails is filled with 3X3 squares (Scotch stitches) and groups of stitches over 1-2-1-2-1 rows. That last element is what, in my opinion, makes this stitch so interesting. Thank you to Hillary (@hifimakes on Instagram) for introducing me to this stitch and for today’s stitched sample.

The stitched sample is a darling candy corn ornament from Burnett and Bradley ornament. Hillary used Silk Lame 18 on 18M for the each of the three panels. (She used the same thread for all of the lines in the diagram as well.)

This interesting full-coverage stitch will work well for tree greenery with an overdyed silk floss. Clothing is another obvious choice. Create a warm sweater or jacket with wool (black lines) and a mild metallic such as Silk Lame (yellow lines). I also suspect it will make an interesting roof on a rustic cottage with two shades of Rainbow Linen.

Just a reminder about how to evaluate stitches for size on your project.

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

So Many Odd Photos

October 26, 2022 whimsicalstitch

I am often asked how I come up with my stitches. I travel down a few different paths in search of a stitch. For example, my camera roll has more than its fair share of rugs, fabric patterns (from chairs, naturally), and leaded windows from…wait for it…TV shows. (And, yes, I frequently receive an eye roll when I pause an episode for a photo). I, too, am inspired by all of the stitches we see in our internet travels and today’s stitch is a good example.

Today’s stitch is a hybrid of a cute background from a Zecca piece from @themarquissisters (scroll until you see the diamonds on the yellow background) and a stitch I saw for the briefest moment on my pinterest.com feed.

The stitched sample is me playing with two plies of Soie d’Alger (black lines) and Treasure Braid (yellow lines). These diamond groups are a little large, so I added some extra space between the groups to let each group shine. To minimize bringing threads up from under pre-existing threads, I added the split stitches in the center of each diamond first. I parked the Soie to the side, added the Treasure Braid for the yellow lines, and resumed the stitches on both sides of the split stitches to complete a single diamond. When I was done with all four diamonds of a group, I buried both threads behind the group of diamonds and moved on to the next diamond.

This stitch will make a fantastic background or wall covering. To take that one step further, and if you are a fan of more open spaces, consider adding the groups of (four) diamonds in a random pattern. They are large enough to stand alone and the randomness will add lightness to the background or wall, redirecting the eye to the main subject on the canvas. I am also already planning on using this stitch, as diagrammed, on clothing for a rather large Halloween personality. My current thoughts are to use a Petite Very Velvet for the black lines and Fyre Werks or a Kreinik ribbon for the yellow lines.

Just a reminder about how to evaluate stitches for size on your project.

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

Split Decision

October 19, 2022 whimsicalstitch

It’s kinda funny to me how vexing columns can be. Satin stitches or satin stitch variations (like last week) are great solutions. But I also enjoy mixing it up and challenging myself to find other approaches. Today’s stitch is a new favorite. As with most of my column stitches, it is quick, scalable, and cute.

The stitched sample is a Plum Stitchery holiday round from my rather large (and unfinished) stash of ornament canvases. I used one strand of white Floche for the yellow lines and blue Fyre Werks for the black lines. Full disclosure…that is how the canvas was painted, so I was highly motivated to find a column stitch that fit the white space between the blue lines.

The original plan was to do nothing more than the horizontal stitches across four rows for this column but I realized by the fourth stitch I was going to be bored out of my bloody mind, so I split the stitch into two halves for the next block of stitches. And, poof, we have a stitch. And you can make the yellow lines as wide as you need, as long as it’s an even number of rows wide (so you can evenly divide the split rows).

The stitched sample is wallpaper behind a fireplace. This stitch will make a beautiful bedspread with Alpaca (yellow lines) and a contrasting single strand silk, such as Vineyard Silk, for the black lines. I am also looking forward to using it for a shirt with Soie D'Alger (three plies for 18M and five plies for 13M) for the yellow lines and a Kreinik Metallic for the black lines.

Just a reminder about how to evaluate stitches for size on your project.

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

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