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!

What Day Is It?

Today’s stitch is a fun little open stitch from our friend, Ruth Schmuff. In all honesty, I don’t know what I like more…the stitch itself or just the very happy color combo on the piece. I hope this little burst of color helps brighten your indoor day, wherever that may be.

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 stitch uses two plies of Soie D'Alger (black lines) for a background on a sweet topiary. I would love to see this stitch on a large window with a lightweight metallic such as Bijoux or a Kreinik Metallic. I think it might be fun to do the single straight stitches in a different color or finish (or both) for a roof or floor.

While the stitched sample is a solid color, please remember how well open stitches enhance any beautiful shading that many contemporary canvases have.

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!

Calling All Stitchers!

Calling all Stitchers! It sounds like a lot of us are using these days to get a lot of stitching done. So, let’s do a show and tell. For the near term future, I’m going to dedicate Sundays to #stitchingsundays with your work using #whimsicalwednesday stitches.

This is a great opportunity to see how the whimsicalstitch community as a whole uses the stitches shared here or in my new book. I am confident there are some wonderful riffs on the whimsicalstitch library that will generate new ideas for anyone to use in your projects. 

To be included, please send the following to mary@whimsicalstitch.com:

1. Stitched Sample Photo: A clear photo of your stitched sample. Ideally, the photo should be high res, straight on so we can see the detail, and clear of those annoying phone shadows (if possible).

2. Threads: The thread(s) you used in the stitch, including brand name (e.g. Soie d’Alger, Splendor, Sundance Beads, Vineyard Silk), ply count (if applicable), and mesh size.

3. Deisgner: Please include the name of the designer (if you know it).

4. Stitch Source: Include a note if the stitch is from my new book and page # for the stitch if you know it.

5. Instagram Handle: If you have an Instagram account, please include your account name so I can tag you!

As an example, the photo on the right is the raw photo I used for yesterday’s #whimsicalwednesday stitched sample. I cropped and resized it to fit into the stitched sample template.

Please send photos of your stitched work and stitch/thread information to me at mary@whimsicalstitch.com.

My plan is to post them on Sundays as part of the #stitchingsunday theme. #whimsicalwednesdays will continue as scheduled.

Please join the fun! Stay safe, wash your hands, practice social distancing, and stitch!

Happy #smallsp...I mean #whimsicalwednesday

You aren’t losing your mind. Today’s stitch is small, but there is a good reason for that. Please read on to understand the why’s.

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 background on a Funda Scully lidded jar (18-mesh). It alternates tiny diamonds and slightly larger diamonds with a metallic accent inside the larger diamonds. I used Soie D'Alger for all of the diamonds (black lines) and a Kreinik Metallics for the accents (aqua lines). I used three plies of the Soie for the tiny diamonds and two plies of the Soie for the larger diamonds.

This is a wonderful small stitch for a sky, water, clothing…you get the idea. And, yes, it is a small stitch on a Wednesday. I’m not trying to make your head explode. It’s just that I have a new plan for Sundays for the near to mid-term future.

Speaking of said new plan, I need your help! I think we would all love to see how the whimsicalstitch community as a whole uses the stitches shared here or in my new book. I have a feeling there may be some wonderful riffs on the whimsicalstitch library. And this is a great time to do this, as most of us have some time on our hands, so to speak. To be included, please send the following:

1. Stitched Sample Photo: A clear photo of your stitched sample. Ideally, the photo should be high res, straight on so we can see the detail, and clear of those annoying phone shadows (if possible).

2. Threads: The thread(s) you used in the stitch, including brand name (e.g. Soie d’Alger, Splendor, Sundance Beads, Vineyard Silk), ply count (if applicable), and mesh size.

3. Deisgner: Please include the name of the designer (if you know it).

4. Stitch Source: Include a note if the stitch is from my new book and page # for the stitch if you know it.

5. Instagram Handle: If you have an Instagram account, please include your account name so I can tag you!

As an example, the photo on the right is the raw photo I used for today’s stitched sample. I cropped and resized it to fit into the stitched sample template.

Please send photos of your stitched work and stitch/thread information to me at mary@whimsicalstitch.com.

My plan is to post them on Sundays as part of the #stitchingsunday theme. #whimsicalwednesdays will continue as scheduled.

This stitch diagram from above, 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!