So Many Ways to Play

September 14, 2022 whimsicalstitch

Today’s stitch is a lovely reminder of how easy it is to create variations from the core repeat pattern of virtually any stitch.

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I love playing with variations. Flipping a horizontal diagram into a vertical design is a quick and easy switch. Creating a mirror image of a diagonal pattern adds lovely symmetry to opposite sides of a flower or a sail. Taking a pattern and adding a skipped row can create, well, magic.

Today I cobbled together a grid by inserting horizontal rows into vertical columns and I love the results. I hope you recognize the stitch that inspired today’s stitch. (If not, no worries, here’s the link.) The stitched sample is a background on a sweet Madeline Elizabeth piece I picked up recently. I used two plies of Splendor (black lines) and 2mm S&J Designs pearls (yellow circles).

Grids are great stitches for architectural elements such as floors, walls, or fences. For 18M, I would use silk floss or a lightweight metallic such as Petite Silk Lame or Kreinik Metallics Fine Braid (#8) for any of those and change the pearl to an Upright Cross or an X (with each diagonal stitch over two rows). I’m looking forward to using this for clothing with a heavier touch. This stitch would make a great Santa coat or a fun shirt with Vineyard Silk (black lines) and tiny buttons for the yellow circles.

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.

New to needlepoint or looking for a refresher? Please download a handy how-to guide covering basic needlepoint stitches and stitch compensation techniques along with new top-line information on needlepoint materials and tools, how to handle threads, and other helpful needlepoint resources.

whimsicalstitch.com also 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 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!

Giving Credit Where It Is Due

September 6, 2022 whimsicalstitch

It’s kinda fun being given credit for a stitch…that you didn’t create. Heidi at Chaparral shared today’s adorable stitch on Instagram yesterday and gave me a shout-out for said stitch. It’s undoubtedly a cousin of a stitch from Book 3, but it certainly stands on its own!

The stitched sample is the sky from a lovely stocking Heidi is working on. The stitch uses six plies of ThreadWorx Cotton Floss (black lines) and Silk Lame (yellow lines) on 13M. The open sky is an excellent balance to the full stitching on Santa and his balloon…as it should be.

Even though I just called it out for its ability to balance, it remains a stitch that will be perfect for areas where you want to draw attention. I think it will make a great stitch for a large pumpkin with solid silk floss, such as Soie D'Alger or Soie Cristale (black lines) and a Kreinik Metallic (yellow lines). Its long sides add a little height to the stitch, meaning it will be great for a coat or pants with two shades of Vineyard Silk or a Vineyard Silk (black lines) and a Silk Lame (yellow lines).

If you feel the need to glam it up a little bit, consider adding a bead or pearl to the small diamond area between the octagons. (And don’t forget that pearl embellishments are available in colors other than white or cream!)

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!

Oldie but a Goodie

August 31, 2022 whimsicalstitch

I suspect all of us have that stitch we always fall back on. You know, the stitch you start doing without even thinking about it. Mine is the Woven Stitch, especially for backgrounds. As I began adding it to yet another background, I decided I needed to do something different with it.

Yes, I know it still looks like a woven stitch but I really like how the added open space inserts a grid feature to the design. The stitched sample is me playing with two plies of Soie D'Alger on 18M. I’m using this stitch for the background on a floral still life. Unfortunately, I used white thread on that white background so it is not always the best example to photograph.

This stitch is perfect for places that are exactly like this stitch…clean, simple, and not screaming for attention. The repeated pattern for this stitch starts 16 rows wide and 16 rows tall, so it needs a pretty large space to achieve the effect. I like it for floors with two colors of Petite Silk Lame for a fun twist. I also played with it on a roof with Burmilana.

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!

And We're Back

August 24, 2022 whimsicalstitch

Today’s stitch is one of several leaf stitches I’ve been playing with over the past week. I’ll be sharing the others in the weeks ahead.

The stitched sample uses Gloriana Silk Floss (on 18M). I used three plies for the black lines and four for the aqua lines, as the Upright Crosses didn’t show up well with only three plies. (The leaf on the top right is not a missed stitch. It reflects compensation around a tree branch.)

Leaf stitches make great bird feather stitches! For a bird, I recommend replacing the Upright Cross (aqua lines) with a bead for a little extra punch. I’m playing with using a single leaf (represented by the black lines) as a small standalone flower, using pink metallic for the straight lines and green floss for the diagonal lines. Using two related hues of green (one for the straight and one for the diagonal lines) would also be a cute effect for leaves or birds. Clearly, there are a lot of ways to play with this stitch!

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!

Hip to be (a) Rectangle

August 10, 2022 whimsicalstitch

I was on the hunt for a large stitch for a beautifully painted background. And, I’m still not sure this is large enough but I still love it so. (And, yes, today’s title is a subtle nod to Huey Lewis and the News, one of my guiltiest music pleasures to this day.)

The stitched sample uses two plies of Soie d’Alger (black lines) and gold Kreinik (yellow lines). I used a modified back stitch to add the rectangle sides. When you are working with wide open stitches, I always recommend stitching nearby areas before you begin, so you have a place to bury your threads at the beginning and the end. I also wove the Kreinik around threads on the back

The stitched sample will make a lovely background…any background. It is a subtle enhancement to any background painted in a solid color. For example, the stitched sample is two plies of Soie D'Alger (black lines) and a Kreinik Metallic (yellow lines). I think this will be a perfect background for a floral still life or a cute saying. I’m planning on using it for a dramatic multi-color background. I am aware the painted background will steal the show here, which is my objective. The understated nature of this stitch is a perfect complement to the dramatic painting.

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 Journey

August 2, 2022 whimsicalstitch

Arriving at today’s stitch was a journey and, as far as I’m concerned, worth it.

Today’s stitch inspiration comes from a geometric wallpaper pattern. The stitched sample is me playing with red Fyre Werks (black lines) and size 8 gold Kreinik (turquoise lines) on 18M. I minimized visible threads by using a modified back stitch that followed the shape of a diamond or the horizontal path of the turquoise lines. Full disclosure: the compensation required for the stitched sample eliminated some of the pairs of the turquoise tent stitches, so pay careful attention to the diagram for the full effect.

Two metallics with distinct finishes are always a winning combination in my book. I’m looking forward to using this stitch for sheet metal, as shown above! I plan to replace the gold Kreinik with a red Kreinik or Petite Silk Lame. Two related metallic shades, such as Kreinik or Treasure Braid, will combine to make gorgeous water.

Flipping the stitched sample a simple 90° creates all kinds of opportunities. Using a matte thread such as Vineyard Silk for the black lines and a substantial metallic like Silk Lame 18 or size 12 Kreinik will make gorgeous clothing or a background. I also want to play with Rainbow Linen for the black lines and some Straw Silk for the turquoise lines for a tree trunk.

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!

Silver Lining

July 26, 2022 whimsicalstitch

I went through my canvas stash yesterday. It was, um, sobering. The silver lining is I have a bunch of canvases for us to play with in the weeks/months/years ahead. #iykyk

Today’s stitch was a test drive for a sky. It uses two plies of Soie D'Alger (black lines) and a Bead Dazzle size 14/15 bead (yellow circle with black lines) on 18M. And I absolutely love the stitch's lightness and the beads' subtle twinkle.

This practice run illustrated that I need to skip a couple more rows between the columns when I use it for a sky (or general background). The stitch, as it is, will be perfect for a vase, dress, or fence. I would use silk floss and beads for the dress (as illustrated in the example). A Kreinik metallic and a S&J Designs 2mm faux pearl would be an exquisite choice for a vase. A lightweight metallic such as Access Commodities Bijoux and a tiny silver bead will make a very elegant fence.

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

As you are auditioning stitches (from my blog, books, or any other stitch source), count out 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 are planning 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.

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 and this has helped me expand my creativity, especially for large space stitches.

If you like what you see on this blog, there's more. Mary’s Whimsical Stitches is a series of three books offering contemporary how-to collections of more than 250 stitches (in each volume) for all stitchers, regardless of skill level. All books include updated and sequenced diagrams from this blog plus a collection of all-new stitches from private lessons and other class projects. All three books include chapters on Balanced, Diagonal, Layered, Oblique, Small, and Straight stitches. Volume 1 also includes a chapter on Borders. Volume 2 includes a chapter on Beading, and Volume 3 includes a chapter on Tent Pattern Stitches. Any or all are a great enhancement to your stitch library. Visit here to find a needlepoint retailer that carries my books.

Also, you can download for free the first chapter from my first book which covers basic needlepoint stitches and stitch compensation techniques along with new top-line information on needlepoint materials and tools, how to handle threads, and other helpful needlepoint resources.

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!

Halloween in July!

July 19, 2022 whimsicalstitch

It’s hot and I think we need a blast of Fall. And what is more Fall than Halloween? (Okay, maybe fall foliage but that isn’t exactly common in southern California.) Today’s blast of fall…I mean stitch…comes from my recent visit to Emily’s Stitchery in Northbrook, Illinois. It’s a dramatic stitch I’ve wanted to share with you for a while, and I love what Emily did with it!

There’s a lot to unpack here. The top left photo is the stitch diagram for the lighter orange panels on the pumpkin in the photo on the top right (from Emily’s Seasons Club). Other ideas to fill the 5X5 space occupied by the yellow lines are on the right-hand side of the diagram. The diagram on the second row is simply today’s stitch diagram without the stitched squares. I think that stitch is just as interesting, albeit for different spaces. The bottom right is a picture of the entire pumpkin for context.

The filled version of Diagonal Milanese Squares plays well with the other full coverage stitches in the pumpkin. I like how the square is stitched in the opposite direction to add some contrast. I am looking forward to using this stitch for a sweater with a Vineyard Silk (black lines) and a Silk Lame 18 (yellow lines). It also makes for an interesting roof with Rainbow Linen (black lines) and Elegance (yellow lines).

The empty version will make a fantastic snow stitch, especially if you need to add the overt direction cues, say if the snow is going up a hill. My favorite threads for snow are Petite Silk Lame, a size 8 Kreinik, or Flair as all of those threads help accentuate any painted shading in the snow. Consider using it for a large-ish tree with an overdyed silk floss.

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

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 and this has helped me expand my creativity, especially for large space stitches.

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!

Swoopy Scallops

July 13, 2022 whimsicalstitch

Today’s stitch was a fun little diversion from my plan for an area…and I love it.

The stitched sample is the burly chest on a turkey from a soon-to-be-announced Stitch Concept. It uses four plies of Belle Soie silk (black lines) and two strands of Petite Silk Lame (yellow lines) on 13M.

I love using scallop stitches for water, backgrounds, and household objects such as vases. I prefer metallic threads (Kreinik, Treasure Braid, or Petite Silk Lame) for water AND to skip a row between the blocks of stitches. The openness that emerges from the skipped rows adds a lightness to the water and metallic threads are simply an obvious choice.

Scallops can also mimic fish…or mermaid…scales. If I’m working on a glamorous fish or mermaid, I like to add beads as one of the stitch blocks. For example, I would replace the aqua lines in the diagram above with a single bead over two rows on the vertical. (And, yes, there is such a thing as a glamorous fish…this is needlepoint, after all.)

Just a reminder about how to evaluate stitches for size on your project. As you are auditioning stitches (from my blog, books, or any other stitch source), count out 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 are planning 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.

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 and this has helped me expand my creativity, especially for large space stitches.

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 Gorgeous

June 28, 2022 whimsicalstitch

There is something to be said for dramatic colors against a white background. I’m having a little fun test driving some background stitches for a Santa standup. Truth be told, I’m not sure if I like the stitch or the color combo better.

I’m playing with two plies of Splendor (black lines) and a size 8 Kreinik (yellow lines) on 18M for today’s stitched sample. I navigated around the white space by stitching the blocks of diamonds across the horizontal. I added the groups of three stitches making sure I always started at the bottom of a group of stitches to keep the center(s) clear of dragged threads. I added the gold stitches in vertical columns, weaving the gold Kreinik around the red Splendor on the back, dutifully avoiding the open space.

As I mentioned, I’m test driving background stitches. You may be surprised to learn this stitch is too small for the piece I’m working on. (I was certainly surprised.) But this is a great opportunity to share a way I could have determined that before I stitched the sample.

As you are evaluating stitches (from my blog, books, or any other stitch source), count out 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 are planning 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.

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 and this has helped me expand my creativity, especially for large space stitches.

And now back to today’s actual stitch.

Today’s stitch will make a beautiful background on a 18M round ornament with a simple design, like a cute saying. Consider using a size 8 Kreinik (black lines) with 2-3 plies of silk thread (yellow lines) for an extra pop of sparkle. I suspect it will make a very pretty roof with Vineyard Silk (black lines) and a more mild metallic like Silk Lame (yellow lines). I’m also looking forward to using it for some beautifully shaded clothing, such as a Santa’s coat. What a perfect way to draw attention to the coat all the while showing off the beautiful artistry of needlepoint designers.

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!

#whimsicalwednesday blog