Today’s stitch is gorgeous (IMO). Today’s stitch is a challenge to stitch. Please don’t stitch it in the sequence I did. Meaning, please keep reading.
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A lovely alternative stitch if you don’t want to pull your hair out like I did.
A stitching friend sent me today’s stitch. It was love at first sight for me. I seem to be on a background stitch of late, so I thought this would be a great addition. The stitched sample uses two plies of white Mandarin Floss (black lines) and green Kreinik Very Fine Braid (size 4) on 18M. I absolutely love everything about this stitch…except stitching it for the first time. Last night. After I got back from a long weekend in wine country.
Created the diagram and did what I always do…I stitched the primary threads (black lines) first. Gah! What a mistake. Stared at the stitching, stared at the diagram, and realized I should have stitched the easiest to follow pattern first. Ripped it all out and added the yellow lines first. What a difference. Took me about half the time as the first pass.
The second pass also revealed a lovely alternative (photo on far right). It’s only the yellow lines, and it’s way more open, but there is always a place where an understated open stitch will work. I hope you have the perfect spot for either of these background stitches. More importantly, I hope you have an easier time with your first pass than I did. I am glad I persevered because I really do love both versions.
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, and Instagram.
Click on image to see the whimsicalstitch.com Stitch Library on pinterest.com. Includes all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.
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.
More from whimsicalstitch.com
If you like what you see on this blog, there's more. Mary’s Whimsical Stitches is a series of four books offering contemporary how-to collections of more than 200 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. Visit here to find a needlepoint retailer that carries my books.
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.
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!