Tiny Crowns

After a long hiatus, #smallspacesunday returns with a sweet little stitch that reminds me of tiny crowns.

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.

Today’s stitch is the snow under some snowmen with a white Kreinik Metallics Fine Braid (#8) from my stash on 18M.

My go-to stitches for snow are darning stitches on the horizontal axis, or some sort of horizontal straight stitch, with a lightweight metallic to highlight any shading and/or to keep the area light so the focus will go elsewhere. Even when you don’t factor in teaching projects, I get tired of my go-to stitches. Factor in teaching projects and, well, you can understand why I was hungry for something different. The inspiration for this stitch came from the last page of the Lagniappe section of the Lone Star’s Grab ‘N Go stitches. I combined the two directions they offered and added more space between the rows for more separation between the rows.

And I’m thrilled with it and can’t wait to use it for water with two colors of Petite Silk Lame or size 8 Kreinik (on 18M). I’m looking forward to flipping the stitch 90° and using it for a tree trunk with Rainbow Linen or a Burmilana Wool.

I elaborated on the origin of this stitch because I was hoping you would have two takeaways. The first is that any stitch book has more inspiration than just the stitches included in it. Many of my composite stitches, especially from my earliest blogs and from both books, find their inspiration in grand and complex composite stitches that I really liked but were not perfect for me. My solution was to remove one or two elements of the inspiring stitch and, voila, I thought they were perfect. Alternatively, feel free to add things! You can rarely go wrong with adding beads to a stitch. I find that skipping a row or rows in any stitch is a great way to find new things. I did a whole post about that a few years ago. You can find it here.

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, there's more: Mary’s Whimsical Stitches Volume 1 is a contemporary how-to collection of more than 250 stitches for stitchers regardless of skill level. The book includes updated and sequenced diagrams from this blog, all-new stitches, and a chapter on the basics of needlepoint; Mary’s Whimsical Stitches Volume 2 features chapters on Balanced, Beading, Diagonal, Layered, Oblique, Small, and Straight stitches.

Also, you can download The Essentials, a free 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, 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!

More Cousins

Both of today’s stitches use two threads and a shared stitch pattern. I love the two unique stitches that emerged.

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 is me playing with Soie d’Alger (3-ply and a size 8 Kreinik Metallic (yellow lines).

This will make a beautiful wallpaper or floor with any silk floss and your favorite lightweight metallic, my favorite being Kreinik or Petite Silk Lame. I also am looking forward to using it for pants as it will help give the area height. This simple stitch has a subtle elegance that I just love.

Truth be told, as I was stitching the sample, I became obsessed with what it would look like without the underlying Kreinik, so I whipped up the sample below.

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.

And here we have it. It’s a really cute look with more Soie d’Alger (black lines) and Trebizond Silk (yellow lines).

As you know, the openness of this stitch makes it ideal for areas with shading. It will be so pretty for many outdoor spaces, such as tree trunks, water, green fields, hills. many options.

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.

IIf you like what you see on this blog, there's more: Mary’s Whimsical Stitches Volume 1 is a contemporary how-to collection of more than 250 stitches for stitchers regardless of skill level. The book includes updated and sequenced diagrams from this blog, all-new stitches, and a chapter on the basics of needlepoint; Mary’s Whimsical Stitches Volume 2 features chapters on Balanced, Beading, Diagonal, Layered, Oblique, Small, and Straight stitches.

Also, you can download The Essentials, a free 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, 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!

Happy Wednesday!

A sweet little stitch in the lightest of colors may be what the doctor ordered for these gray days of winter.

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.

I’m playing with Elegance (black lines) and the lightest of blue Petite Silk Lame (yellow lines) on 18M for today’s stitched sample.

I’m seriously considering using this stitch and thread combo for the background of a Madcap Cottage piece I’m currently working on. I’m looking forward to using this stitch with two related hues for water with a lightweight Kreinik metallic, Petite Silk Lame, or even Flair. Another idea is to flip it 90° for wallpaper. I would use silk floss and Neon Rays for the wallpaper.

Something to consider is to use a single color for the black lines and to alternate between 2-3 colors for the yellow lines. That is a look that works especially well on the vertical version.

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, there's more: Mary’s Whimsical Stitches Volume 1 is a contemporary how-to collection of more than 250 stitches for stitchers regardless of skill level. The book includes updated and sequenced diagrams from this blog, all-new stitches, and a chapter on the basics of needlepoint; Mary’s Whimsical Stitches Volume 2 features chapters on Balanced, Beading, Diagonal, Layered, Oblique, Small, and Straight stitches.

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.

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, 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!

Everyone is Right!

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.

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 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.

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.

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 has a book for you! Mary’s Whimsical Stitches is a contemporary how-to collection of more than 250 stitches for stitchers regardless of skill level. The book includes updated and sequenced diagrams from this blog, all-new stitches, and a chapter on the basics of needlepoint. For more information, visit here.

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, 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!

Just Right

I confess I have a formula for windows. Open stitch? Check. Small stitch? Check. Lightweight metallic? Check. Well, two out of three of those “rules" apply to today’s stitch.

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.

Today’s stitch comes from one of my very first Stitch Guides (Lemons by Annie O’Brien Gonzales) and uses Kreinik Fine Braid (size 8) on 13-mesh. I concocted this stitch to fill rather large window panes, all the while staying true to my general approach of open stitches and lightweight metallics for windows.

Sidebar: If you want to kill more time (and hey, why not, it’s not like your boss is looking over your shoulder since you’re working from home), take a trip in the wayback machine to read about my (literal) discovery of open stitches for windows. (It also happens to come with two of my favorite window stitches.)

The path for this stitch is similar to blackwork. I call it a modified back stitch. Simply follow the outline of the pattern using back stitches. A traditional backstitch goes from left to right (or right to left)…repeatedly. With a modified back stitch, you alternate between left to right or right to left or up to down or down to up, depending on the pattern. When you get to an edge of the area, weave your thread through the threads on the back of the canvas to return to an open area and begin again. It’s also helpful to complete some solid stitching in the area so you have other places to bury the threads. In the stitched sample, I buried threads in the shaded window pane (white and light blue) and the green leaves.

This stitch will make a beautiful sky in the far background or water with 2-3 plies of Silk Floss (Soie d’Alger, Soie Cristale, Splendor, Needlepoint Inc Silk, etc) or a lightweight metallic (Kreinik Fine Braid, Kreinik Very Fine Braid, Petite Silk Lame, Bijoux, Soie Perle, etc)

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 has a book for you! Mary’s Whimsical Stitches is a contemporary how-to collection of more than 250 stitches for stitchers regardless of skill level. The book includes updated and sequenced diagrams from this blog, all-new stitches, and a chapter on the basics of needlepoint. For more information, visit here.

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, 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!

Groundhog Day

Today’s stitch is an homage to our own never-ending cycle of Groundhog Days.

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.

The Groundhog Stitch is more of a concept than a specific stitch. The stitched sample is upfront because it is one example of a Groundhog Stitch. Any repeated element can be used.

The gold circles in the stitched sample were painted on the canvas. I asked my student to add additional circles in a contrasting color to fill the area. Since the gold circles were not placed in a specific pattern, the blue circles were added in random spots as well. The gold circles use gold Fyre Werks; the blue circles use blue Petite Silk Lame. The stitched sample is a work in progress; more blue circles will be added.

In my opinion, this concept works best for larger areas, including (but not limited to) skies, backgrounds, clothing, curtains (as in the stitched sample), water. I think you get the idea. It doesn’t matter if the area is painted in a solid color or a shaded area.

I’ve seen variations of this stitch using leaves, Upright Tied Crosses, and eyelet stitches. So, clearly, the variations are limitless.

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 has a book for you! Mary’s Whimsical Stitches is a contemporary how-to collection of more than 250 stitches for stitchers regardless of skill level. The book includes updated and sequenced diagrams from this blog, all-new stitches, and a chapter on the basics of needlepoint. For more information, visit here. My favorite needlepoint retailers that carry the book can be found here.

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, 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!

Take That, Gray Skies

So. California is drenched and Spring seems so close, yet so far away. I am savoring the bright colors in today’s stitched sample as an anecdote.

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 is a pillow from Whimsy Stork and uses three plies of Soie D'Alger (black lines) and Petite Silk Lame (yellow lines). As with all eyelet stitches, to avoid I recommend to stitch from the outer edges to the shared center hole.

This is a great all-purpose and scalable stitch. To illustrate its versatility, a student recently used it on a small dog’s body with Vineyard Silk (black lines) and Silk Lame (yellow lines). (Clearly, it will make a great human coat as well. See what I did there?) Consider leaving out the Cross Stitches for a water stitch with a lightweight Kreinik Metallic.

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 has a book for you! Mary’s Whimsical Stitches is a contemporary how-to collection of more than 250 stitches for stitchers regardless of skill level. The book includes updated and sequenced diagrams from this blog, all-new stitches, and a chapter on the basics of needlepoint. For more information, visit here.

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, 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!

Right in Front of Me the Entire Time

Today’s stitch is from FOWS (friend of whimsicalstitch.com) Ruth Schmuff. When I first saw this stitch, it was a literal head slap moment (aka a swear word). I have to confess to the swear word because there was a witness. Possibly witnesses…I’ll never say.

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 straight lines are a darning stitch. A darning stitch is stitched as a running stitch resulting in smooth edges between stitches (instead of crisp wrapped edges). A stitched sample of a generic darning stitch is here.

The stitched sample for today’s uses Petite Silk Lame (black lines) and one ply of Needlepoint Inc Silk (aqua lines). Since the Needlepoint Inc Silk is such a light touch, I zoomed in on today’s stitched sample to help illustrate this. For a photo with more context, visit here. (And, for the full kit, visit here.)

My head slap moment was the Cross Stitch covering the darning stitch. It’s such a cute touch on top of an already interesting stitch. By using a lightweight thread, the darning stitch is still obvious to me. Truth be told, you could stitch the pairs of straight stitches as traditional wrapped pairs. But I do love how the smooth edges of the darning pairs flow into the Oblique Cross Stitches.

It is highly likely* upcoming Stitch Concepts will include this stitch on floors or roofs (with Elegance for the black lines and Petite Silk Lame for the aqua lines). Vineyard Silk (black lines) coupled with Fyre Werks (aqua lines) will make great clothing. As I stare at the stitched sample, I want to play with this for water with Petite Silk Lame and Bijoux.

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 has a book for you! Mary’s Whimsical Stitches is a contemporary how-to collection of more than 250 stitches for stitchers regardless of skill level. The book includes updated and sequenced diagrams from this blog, all-new stitches, and a chapter on the basics of needlepoint. For more information, visit here.

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!

* Highly likely? Hah! Try a certainty.

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!

Thanks, Hank!

And a very happy new year and new decade to us! I hope you had (or are still having) a wonderful holiday break. Let’s ease into the new year with a little pink.

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.

There is a very good reason why the ornament in the photo is in my hand and not on my Christmas tree. Her name is Hank and she is an adorable demon. Her holiday adventures begin here (be sure to swipe to see the video) and include repeatedly climbing up the center of the Christmas tree (prompting its removal after six days), sneaking out the front door and exploring for over an hour before I realized she was outside (she’s an indoor cat), and breaking a brand new toy from her Aunt Gina within a couple hours of non-stop play. Did I mention she is an adorable demon?

But you’re here for the stitch. Oops…sorry about that. Today’s stitch reminds me of the Crown Stitch, a favorite stitch of mine, that I don’t use as often as I would like because of its sheer size. So this is a perfect solution! The stitched sample is a vintage Melissa Shirley ornament and uses four plies pink Splendor (black lines) and Crystal Braid (yellow lines) on 18-mesh.

It’s a great all-purpose stitch that works well for backgrounds (as illustrated), clothing, water, sky, or outdoor spaces. Instead of a contrasting element within a horizontal row (as illustrated), consider making each row a single color. Use two colors and/or thread finishes in alternating rows for interesting clothing. Thread ideas include Vineyard Silk and an overdyed wool for pants. Consider leaving an empty row in between columns for water with a lightweight metallic such as ThreadWorx Metallics or Kreinik Metallics.

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, 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!

Itty Bitty Weave

Today's stitch is a little stitch I stumbled into by accident while creating a diagram for a different stitch. I love it when that happens.

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 is me playing at my desk with Pepper Pot Silk (black lines) and Neon Rays (turquoise lines) on 18-mesh while my cat, Gigi, “helped.” And by helped, I mean lay across my arms while I tried to stitch. (Post publication note: The diagram is the mirror image of the stitched sample. My bad.)

This will make an adorable tree with overdyed silk or wool (black lines) and a solid matching silk floss (turquoise lines). I look forward to using it for water or cloud with a Petite Silk Lame and a lightweight Kreinik Metallic. Lastly, I love the contrasting colors in the sample and think this is a perfect combo for a small sweater or pants.

Programming Note: This blog will be on hiatus this Wednesday, November 27. I wish you and yours a most wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. I hope it includes lots of delicious food, adored family, few travel hassles, and all-important stitching time! (And hopefully today’s stitch will be the perfect stitch for a space you can’t quite figure out what to do with.)

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! Happy #smallspacesunday!

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!