Sashiko

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

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

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account.  Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account.  Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram account.  Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram account.  Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

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

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

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

These stitch diagrams, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells stitch guides and stitch concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, and Patience Brewster.  41 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

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

Fair and Square

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

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account.  Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account.  Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram account.  Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram account.  Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

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

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

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

This stitch diagram, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells stitch guides and stitch concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, and Patience Brewster. 41 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

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

#stitchingsunday

Welcome to our newest blog theme, #stitchingsunday.  #stitchingsunday is an addition to the existing rotation of #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday.  This new theme will highlight stitches from blog posts in current stitching projects.  

Today's inaugural #stitchingsunday is one of my go-to stitches, a weave stitch.  The original post featured a slightly more glamorous version that included a matte and metallic thread combo.   

Today's version aligns with the original stitch diagram but with a much more subtle application.  I used two plies of Soie D'Alger on 18-mesh for a very light look and feel on a background behind some very glamorous objects.  I wanted the objects to pop and not clash with the background.  Also, truth be told, I didn't want to invest the time in doing the background in plain needlepoint, which was a very viable (and good looking) option.

These stitch diagrams, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells stitch guides for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, and Patience Brewster.  41 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

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

Diamonds. Duh.

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

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

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

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram account. Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram account. Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

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

These stitch diagrams, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells stitch guides for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, and Patience Brewster.  41 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

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

Plain Needlepoint Isn't Always So

As I wandered around the TNNA Winter Trade Show in January, I noticed the use of what I call Plain Needlepoint to create unique patterns.  This month is dedicated to these pattern stitches.  Some are simple patterns from fellow teachers and some are related to Sashiko, a Japanese embroidery technique.   What makes these stitches different is the overt use of plain needlepoint and open spaces.  See?  Even plain needlepoint isn't always so.

Today's stitch comes from the very gracious Carolyn Hedge Baird.  This is from a background and it's a wonderful way to integrate whimsy into an already complex piece.  

There is nothing over complicated about this stitch.  The stitched sample uses two threads with different finishes and related but distinctly different color values.  

This stitch is great for a background, sky, or tabletop as thought starters.  It's most suited for an area you would like to recede.  As an example, I think it works well as a tabletop so any items, whether they are fruit, silverware, or other objects, on the tabletop to stand out.

I hope you enjoy this month's posts.  I promise I will elaborate more on the Japanese embroidery in a couple weeks.

These stitch diagrams, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells stitch guides and stitch concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, and Patience Brewster.  41 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

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

Still Not Too Early

 

It's still not too early for holiday stuff and today's stitch is a wonderful stitch for that most wonderful time of the year.  Technically, today's stitch is a small stitch but it works well on most sized spaces.  

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.

This stitch is so deceptive.  It can do so much more than your typical small stitch.  The stitched sample is from an ornament on a larger Christmas composition and is absolutely perfect. 

Yet, this stitch can do so much more than make a sweater, coat, bag, vase, or even a window look good.  I can't wait to use it for greenery with the black lines as a green wool, most likely Lorikeet, and the aqua lines as something especially Spring-y such as a pink or yellow Kreinik or Silk Lame.  

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells stitch guides for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, and Patience Brewster.  35 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

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

Never Too Early

It's never too early to work on holiday projects, especially since we in the needlepoint world have done an excellent job of creating and sustaining the need for ornaments for every season.  I would argue we created seasons for ornaments.  (I'm looking at you St. Patrick's Day.)

The next two weeks will focus on cute stitches on a holiday project from a stitching friend of mine.  Today's stitch is a variation of what I consider a classic, the Tied Upright Cross.  By leaving a row in between the crosses on all sides, you have an opportunity for a cute accent.

The diagram includes two possibilities, a bead over two rows on the vertical or a small upright cross.  The stitched sample illustrates the bead in all the intersections.  You can use one or both accents.  It's completely up to you.

Speaking of the stitched sample, it uses Planet Earth Silk, Kreinik Metallics, and Sundance Beads.  

The thread combinations are kinda countless as it completely depends on how sparkly (or not) you want it to be.  A matte variation could include Very Velvet (gray lines) tied down with Rainbow Linen (black lines) with a matte Delica bead as the accent.  I think that would make an adorable whimsical basket.

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 for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, and Patience Brewster.  35 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

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

Beyond Bling

Who says you have to use threads to create a pattern?

That darn Melissa Shirley combined threads and beads to create a beautiful pattern on a vase recently.  What was so striking about this combo is that the beads did virtually all of the heavy lifting.  Take a look.

Here's a diagram I mapped out based on the above.  It's a tiny bit different as I didn't want the Herringbone effect with the single thread.

You could also eliminate the thread altogether and still create a pattern.  That said, for this example, it is best you are not a member of #teamfullcoverage.

You could absolutely fill the open space with vertical straight stitches or even a tied Upright Cross.  That said, I just love the idea of an open diamond pattern with nothing but beads.  It would be perfect for a vase, medium to small body of water, or even a flower.  

These stitch diagrams, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells stitch guides for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, and Patience Brewster.  34 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

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

Tiny with a Powerful Punch

In case you were wondering, yes, you can get three different fibers into a small decorative stitch.  

On most days, I choose a stitch pattern to fill a space, rarely the other way around.  Today's stitch is an exception as this stitch came to be as a result of how a canvas was specifically painted.  As I mapped it it out, I realized it had many applications and decided to share it with you.  An offset 2X3 rectangle is the heart of this stitch.  Three different accents are provided on the diagram.  Select one (or more) that fits your mood! 

This stitch is a great way to draw attention to a small area.  The needlepoint world has done a great job in creating ornaments for every season.  This stitch would make a great coat or bag for Santa on a Christmas ornament, a great basket for a Spring ornament, or even water on a Summer ornament.  As I mapped out the diagram, I could not stop thinking about using this in a 4th of July piece, so I stitched a tiny sample to demonstrate the color combination possibilities.

This stitch is a great way to draw attention to a small area.  The needlepoint world has done a great job in creating ornaments for every season.  This stitch would make a great coat or bag for Santa on a Christmas ornament, a great basket for a Spring ornament, or even water on a Summer ornament.  As I mapped out the diagram, I could not stop thinking about using this in a 4th of July piece, so I stitched a tiny sample to demonstrate the color combination 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, and Patience Brewster.  34 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

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

Up (or Down) We Go!

Today's stitch is a great way to add direction to your space.  While the theme of nature carries over from last week, this more subtle stitch is on a much smaller scale.

There's a certain elegance to it that I love.  Let's start with going up (left diagram)!

Diagonal Stairs 1.jpg

Going down is just as pretty (diagram on right).  I love how the alternating stitch widths (over two or three rows) add a gentle directional element to this stitch.  I skipped a row between columns to add definition but it would certainly work with no skipped rows.

As this is a smaller stitch, I didn't add compensation stitches (unlike other #whimsicalwednesday diagrams).  This allows the pattern to be clearer.  

As I look at the diagrams, this is a great stitch for mirror patterning, such as wings on opposite sides of an angel.  It would also work for a tail.  (Am I the only one who sees a whale tale in the second diagram?  If not, please know this was not intentional.)

I played with some Mandarin Floss on 18-mesh for the stitched sample.  It would be fine to add a metallic or contrasting color on the rows in between but it is also pretty just by itself.

These stitch diagrams, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells stitch guides for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, and Patience Brewster.  34 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

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