When the perfect stitch is too small for a space, it’s time to supersize it.
Click on the image to see it on Pinterest. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.
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The stitched sample uses two plies of Soie D'Alger for the gray lines and size 11 Sundance Beads for the aqua circles.
My student started with the good old-fashioned version of this stitch, illustrated on the right. However, the scale was off. I wanted fewer beads and a larger footprint for the space so we pivoted to the larger version above. (Fun fact: the diagram on the right is from a 2017 blog post of mine. The double lines are compensation stitches for solid lines of the same color.)
As you may have noticed, I’m a big fan of two plies of floss on 18M. Fortunately, my students don’t seem to mind it either. If you like this stitch, but it is too light for you, consider adding 1-3 more plies for a fuller look. For example, if I were suggesting this for a coat, I would recommend four plies or a single strand silk.
The beads can be replaced with pearls, sequins, or other fun embellishments depending on the level of jazziness required. I’ve used the smaller version of this stitch on a tablecloth, a moon, and clothing.
A Note about Diagrams
I use colored lines to make diagrams as clear as possible. The primary function is to illustrate a stitch sequence. For example, the layering of colors demonstrates that you add them in that order. They also represent ideas for integrating additional threads (one line per color). Or, you can use the same thread for all color lines. That's where I encourage you to use your imagination for your project.
Click on image to see the whimsicalstitch.com Stitch Library on pinterest.com. Includes all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.
Evaluating Stitches for 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 it against the area where you plan to use the stitch, then 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.
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.
Happy #whimsicalwednesday!
A Note about Stitch Names
I am absolutely loving the rising popularity of needlepoint, and if you are new to the blog, I want to take a second to chat about stitch names (again). TLDR: Don’t overthink them.
Many stitch names in my blog and books are made up out of whole cloth. When I launched my blog in 2015, I searched high and low for proper stitch names and found stitches with no names or identical stitches with two or more names from different sources. I quickly learned to focus on the diagrams, which I think are prettier (and more important) than any name. A stitch by any other name is still just as interesting!
At stores now!
More Whimsical Stitches
My latest book is in stores now! (And, no, this stitch is not in it.) Mary’s Whimsical Stitches Volume 5 features background stitches in all sizes and shapes.
Packed with over 150 stitches, Volume 5 offers you the widest variety of backgrounds. There are large backgrounds, small backgrounds, and everything in between. And more than 75% of the stitches will have a QR code taking your customers to a stitched sample.
More from whimsicalstitch.com
If you like what you see on this blog, there's more. Mary’s Whimsical Stitches is a series of five books offering contemporary how-to collections of stitches for stitchers of all skill levels. 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.