It's a Two-Fer!

November 4, 2020 whimsicalstitch

I couldn’t decide on a stitch to share today, so you get two!

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The first stitch is a Milanese Variation. It’s a stitch I’ve had my eye on for a while. Most of the versions I’ve seen start with a straight stitch over one row and scaling up to seven rows. I like this one better for two reasons. The first is that the smallest stitch over two rows doesn’t disappear (as straight stitches over one row can do) and I really like how the stitcher did ALL of the stitches over two rows in a different thread.

The stitched sample is from the same project as last week and uses Finca Presencia (black lines) and Kreinik (aqua lines) on 18-mesh. Flip the stitch 90° and this stitch will serve you very well as water with two shades of Petite Silk Lame or two shades of size 8 Kreinik (on 18-mesh). Or use either of those threads for the black lines and use Flair for the aqua lines. I love how light colored Flair absorbs the color of the canvas underneath, thereby slightly altering its own color. It’s a really cool effect.

I love the oblique diamonds that pop out at you on the LInked Panels stitch. The fact they are nothing more than elongated X’s makes it even more fun and the counting is easier. The stitched sample uses Presencia Finca Perle Cotton (black lines) and Petite Silk Lame (aqua lines) on 18M.

This full coverage stitch will work well as clothing with a wool for the black lines and either a second shade of wool or a lightweight metallic or the aqua lines. It will serve. you well for many interior design elements, such as a tablecloth, wallpaper, or floor. Silk floss (black lines) and Bijoux (aqua lines) will make swoon-worthy wallpaper. Single strand silk with a Flair or Kreinik will. make a really pretty outdoor field.

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

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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, 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!

Something Borrowed and Something Blue

October 28, 2020 whimsicalstitch

Today’s stitch is both borrowed and blue. I stumbled across it…literally…in my friend’s stitching bag.

The stitched sample is Finca Prescencia and Kreinik on 18-mesh.

It’s a perfect stitch for a sampler (as illustrated). With those pairs of vertical stitches over six rows, this stitch screams clothing to me, especially pants. I would love to see said pants with a Petite Very Velvet and Flair. Flip it 90° and you have a lovely green field. I would use an overdyed silk floss for the black lines and a solid silk floss for the yellow lines in that scenario.

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

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

I Love (Most) Surprises

October 21, 2020 whimsicalstitch

Today’s stitch is a clever combination of straight stitches that honestly surprised me. And I absolutely love it.

The stitched sample uses Elegance (black lines) and size 8 Kreinik (yellow lines) on 18M. This stitch is reminiscent of a very clever way the one and only Brenda Hart uses open stitches. She stitched an intricately detailed piece with a single stitch and one type of thread. Brilliant. (Here’s an example if you are thinking “What the heck is she talking about?”)

This stitch is perfect for many architectural or home elements, such as wallpaper, rug, tile, or roof. For example, using two different matte textures, such as an overdyed wool and a solid silk for a rug, will add interesting dimension. Alternating black and white threads for a tile floor will be gorgeous. I would love to see it as a background for a smaller area, such as an ornament or small standup. (The stitched sample is just that, a background of a smaller area for a Stitch Guide I’m working on right now.) It will be a great addition to any sampler and, circling back to my original impression, a lovely cover for an intricately painted piece.

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

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

Smile!

October 14, 2020 whimsicalstitch

Today’s stitch has lots of beads and makes me smile. It also happens to be from one of my favorite projects and stitcher/designers, Plum Stitchery. It’s one of the adorable ornaments from Twelvetide. It makes me smile…a lot.

The stitched sample is two plies of white Needlepoint Inc. Silk (black lines) and white and blue Sundance beads (yellow and blue circles, respectively) with clear beading thread on 18M.

My learned advice on this stitch, and with all leaf stitches in general, is to stitch them from the outer edge to the shared hole. This will reduce wear and tear on the threads and make the process so much easier. In addition, stitch the mirrored stitches sequentially (from side to side) so the layering matches on both sides. (See sequence in the lower left-hand corner of the diagram).

This is rapidly becoming my new go-to stitch for trees and birds. More often than not, I use silk flosses (solid or overdyed), as that helps me manage the potential heaviness of the stitch. As I mentioned, the stitched sample on 18M uses two plies; I would use a minimum of three plies on 13M. If you want a more dramatic look (read heavier), consider a single strand Perle cotton, Elegance, Grandeur, or Trebizond Silk. If you want to minimize the bead, feel free to use a single bead. In that case, I would use a bead slightly larger than the canvas typically calls for. Specifically, I would use a size 11 bead on 18M and a size 8 bead on a 13M canvas. If you want to add more sass, consider an appropriately sized bugle bead or even add a Boho 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, 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!

Oh My!

September 30, 2020 whimsicalstitch

The ratio of beads to threads in today’s stitch is a little on the high side. And, clearly (pun intended), I’m okay with that.

The stitched sample is clear Sundance beads with clear beading thread (gray circles), Soie D'Alger (aqua lines), and Petite Silk Lame (turquoise lines) on 18-mesh. A little background on the stitch origins. The project (which will be shared soon via a new Stitch Guide) is an exquisitely painted teacup, with beautiful shading and sweet details. I use two extremes with shading. I either use basketweave, as the area is painted, or I use a very open stitch to let the painting show through. (Fun fact, this upcoming project uses both.) I landed on this stitch because I wanted the teacup to be the center of attention (and beads are a great way to do that), but I also wanted something a little more than my standard Brick Beading. And here we are.

This stitch is scalable. For example, this is the stitch for the vase on Gold Pot and Figs. I used silks and metallics for the Oblique Cross Stitches and colored beads for the beaded columns. However, I made the Elongated X’s a row wider in that version. In fact, you could also change up the stitch in the columns in between the beads with simple horizontal straight stitches over two (or more!) rows, or a column of Alternating Skip Tent (in a width of your choosing), or a single column of Alternating Diamonds (as thought starters).

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!

Swooning

September 23, 2020 whimsicalstitch

I’m swooning over the colors in today’s stitch and, yes, the stitch is kinda cute as well. I love the simplicity of today’s stitch and how it still adds a bit of interest to an area.

The stitched sample is the sky from my Ruff Life in the Wine Country Stitch Concept. It uses a single strand of Floche (gray lines) and Kreinik Metallics Fine Braid (#8) (yellow lines).

This is a sweet all-purpose open stitch, suitable for any medium-sized area you want to add a little something-something to. (That’s a whole lotta hyphens in one sentence.) It will make a great tree with overdyed silk floss (gray lines) and a subtle metallic, such as Silk Lame, or even a solid silk floss in a related color for a subtle contrast (yellow lines). Consider it for most architectural areas, such as a fireplace or a chimney. I would love to see a chimney in a brick colored wool (gray lines) with Rainbow Linen accents (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.

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

Everyone is Right!

September 16, 2020 whimsicalstitch

Today’s stitch is titled “Nobuko Variation” but, truth be told, it’s a variation of a variation. It’s kinda fun to see where being one row “off” lands.

The original diagram from the Stitch Guide is to the right. The stitch pattern for both is over 1-3-5-3 rows and repeat. On subsequent rows, the over 3 stitch shares a hole with the over 5 from the row above, and the over 5 stitch shares a hole with the over 3 from the above row. The difference between the two diagrams is which over 3 row I matched the over 5 stitches with.

Yep, I made a boo boo. It does not matter as they are both cute stitches.

The stitched sample is water stitched with Petite Silk Lame on 18M. This stitch (either variation) will serve well as a cloud with 1-2 strands of Floche. I would love to see it as a jacket, alternating rows with a matte thread (such as Petite Very Velvet) and a metallic (such as Fyre Werks). Overdyed silk floss or ovedyed wool would be a beautiful choice for this stitch in an open field, especially if you want to add the diagonal row feel.

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.

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

Squirrel!

September 8, 2020 whimsicalstitch

It happens almost every time. I’m on a roll. I’m focusing. I’m doing my thing. And a stitch idea that has nothing to do with what I’m working on pops in my head. Fun fact. I am not good at and I loathe hand drawing stitches. So, everything gets put aside so I can get the stitch on my version of paper…software. And that is exactly what happened Sunday afternoon and here we are.

The stitch is nothing more than incomplete diamonds on top of each other and I absolutely love the effect. I find it fascinating in any direction…up, down, or sideways…which means there are oodles of possibilities for this stitch. Having stitched it both ways, I share this stitch is much more interesting with a minimum of two threads as it enhances the faux layered look. The stitched sample is me playing with pink Trebizond Silk and blue Petite Silk Lame.

This will be a table runner in an upcoming Stitch Concept, using Soie D’Alger and Petite Silk Lame. It will also make fascinating fish scales with an overdyed metallic paired with a solid metallic. And, last but not least, it will make a great roof…perhaps one with Santa getting ready to climb down the chimney. Depending on the locale, it would be fun with white metallics or good old brown and tan solid wools.

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 in Geometry

September 2, 2020 whimsicalstitch

Yes, I got an A in high school Geometry but that doesn’t mean I remember any of it and have laughable billiards skills. So, after trying to research the more precise terms to describe the three different sized shapes that emerge in today’s stitch, I leave you with…today’s wide open stitch is really pretty, uses lots of yummy threads, and please pay attention to the spacing of the base threads (black lines).

Before I talk about the threads, I want to bring your attention to the spacing of the black lines. What draws me to this stitch is the emerging shapes are not the same size. The stitch is composed of pairs of black lines with three empty rows between the stitches in a pair. There are five empty rows between pairs of stitches.

Today’s stitched sample is a great example of some of the beautifully painted canvases out there that scream for open stitches because the painting is almost too pretty to cover up. I like to consider the stitching on canvases like this as gently placed enhancements. The stitched sample is from an upcoming new Stitch Guide and uses three shade of Petite Silk Lame and Sundance Beads on 18M.

The first shade matches the dominant color in the area to be stitched and is represented by the black lines. Subsequent shades align with smaller color areas in the piece and are represented by the gray lines. (I used two different colors for the gray lines.) The bead color (represented by the yellow circles) was selected based on the dots on the painted canvas. (When this guide is ready, I’ll be able to show the whole thing in context.)

This stitch will make beautiful clothing with a silk Perle (such as Elegance) for the black lines, a lightweight Kreinik (gray lines) and a seed bead. I would love to see this in a sampler with more dramatic threads (dramatic = larger) such as Kreinik Medium Braid (size 16) for the black lines, Very Velvet (gray lines) and a larger bead for the bead accent. It will make a really pretty tabletop with silk floss (black lines) and Petite Silk Lame (gray lines). In this scenario, I would replace the bead with another Upright Cross and use a contrasting thread (either color or finish or both).

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!

Your Eyes are Not Deceiving You

August 26, 2020 whimsicalstitch

Today’s stitch may be diagonal (what?!) but you know you’re in the right place because it’s an open stitch. Thanks to Sheena of Sheena’s Sweet Stitches for the inspiration!

Overtly diagonal stitches are far from my typical go-to stitch. I prefer what I call balanced stitches which have pairs of stitches (regardless of direction) in opposite directions, resulting in a balanced composition. Some of my recent favorite balanced stitches that include diagonal stitches (and other directions) are here and here. I use balanced stitches to keep the eye on an area as a whole versus the possible distraction of a directional path, let alone multiple paths. So, since I don’t use them frequently, paths pop when I use a directional stitch.

When you need a diagonal, you need a diagonal. Water is a perfect example. This stitch is *perfect* for water, as illustrated by the stitched sample (Petite Silk Lame on 18M), because it has the gentle flow built into it all the while not competing for attention with other stitches. It’s also great for outdoor areas, such as paths or ground cover, and select architectural areas, such as a roof. As you know, metallics are my go to for water. A fun twist on the stitched sample would be to alternate metallics of related colors in this stitch. A path or ground cover is especially suited for an overdyed wool or overdyed single strand silk. A classic silk floss or Merino wool would be beautiful on a 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!

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