Dealers Choice

This is going to be quick. (It’s been one of those weeks.) Today’s stitch is a wonderfully simple background stitch, with a medley of accent options.

Click on image to see on pinterest. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click the image to see #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday Stitched Sample Gallery on Instagram

The stitched sample is me playing with two strands of white Floche (black lines) and Silk Lame 18 (yellow lines). The plan was columns with horizontal stitches over three rows, with a darning stitch between (far-right yellow lines). Then I went rogue and started playing with other ideas in place of the darning stitch and here we are.

The stitch on the left is what I call Woven Hungarian. I included the compensation stitches on the diagram because they can give stitchers fits. The middle stitch is a diagonal skip tent. And the stitch on the far right is a darning stitch over three rows. (All three of those stitches, with numbered sequences are in volume 1 of Mary’s Whimsical Stitches.)

I like this as a background stitch and you can adjust the size of the columns to align with your background size. I also like the idea of the columns with the center choice for the exterior of a house. The Woven Hungarian option could make a cute bedspread.

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!

Waste Knots and All

Today’s stitch was inspired by a fun stitch from Bedecked and Beadazzled I shared a few years ago. It’s also a work in progress, but a great opportunity to see how I work to minimize visible threads.

Click on image to see on pinterest. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click the image to see #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday Stitched Sample Gallery on Instagram

First, the stitch. I used blue Pepper Pot Silk (black lines) and size 12 Kreinik braid (yellow lines). The original plan was to stitch just the horizontal yellow lines, similar to the inspiration stitch. But something was missing, so I added the vertical lines on top of the horizontal lines and was happy with where I landed. Well, honestly, I may change the Kreinik to a lighter-weight metallic to make it recede a little bit.

I like this as a background stitch and you can add more or less space between the columns to achieve the coverage you want. I’m looking forward to using this on a basket with an overdyed wool for the black lines with a solid color silk floss for the yellow lines and NO skipped rows between the columns.

There are two examples of how I navigate open stitches on the stitched sample. The first, a small running stitch, is in the lower right-hand corner. When I completed the column on the far right, I needed to return to start the column under the S. The running stitch 1-2 rows away from the design area will be swallowed by the fabrication of the ornament. Magic! There is a waste knot (aka away knot) underneath the long vertical stitches on the upper right of the canvas. I added that knot in the direct path of the long vertical stitch and it will stay there until I add the Kreinik on top of those three 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, 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!

This is Not Last Week

Today’s stitch is a fun little experiment for a background and, unlike last week, super easy.  

Click on image to see on pinterest. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click the image to see #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday Stitched Sample Gallery on Instagram

The stitched sample is a background for the Twelve Drummers Drumming of the Plum Stitchery Twelvetide set. I used white Elegance for the aqua lines and a light blue Petite Silk Lame for the black lines. I like the simplicity of the stitch, combined with the little pop of color with the blue accents.

It would be so easy and cute to replace the tent stitches with seed beads, or even a bugle bead. I want to play with this a little to create a grid of sorts, so I have that fun to look forward to. Naturally, you can make the oblique crosses taller for larger areas. There’s a lot to come from this stitch. I hope you have the perfect spot for it.

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.

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!

Please Learn From My Mistake

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.

Click on image to see on pinterest. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click the image to see #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday Stitched Sample Gallery on Instagram

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!

Be a Star

Today’s stitch is a happy stitch with a gentle reminder (from one of my favorite stitchers) to always be a star.

Click on image to see on pinterest. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click the image to see #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday Stitched Sample Gallery on Instagram

The stitch draws inspiration from an embroidery stitch I found on Instagram. I love the initial shape…basically four M’s creating a fun star (or snowflake). The stitched sample is me working with three plies of Soie D'Alger on 13M. This stitch is made for a background or a sky. Imagine a light blue or gray winter sky with a matching metallic for a snowy sky. Perfection.

You can also add individual stars randomly. (I also understand the majority of the needlepoint community may have just groaned at that.) I also experimented with stitching the stars immediately adjacent to each other and wasn’t thrilled with the end result. I do want to play with creating columns of snowflakes. Because, columns. Duh.

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.

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Please enjoy! Have a wonderful #whimsicalwednesday!

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!

My Third Needlepoint Love

My view is that virtually any stitch can be transformed into columns, especially for backgrounds. Today’s stitch takes brick blocks and, voila!, we have a simple and fun background to accompany an adorable snake. (Adorable snake. Not a phrase I ever expected to write in my lifetime.)

Click on image to see on pinterest. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click the image to see #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday Stitched Sample Gallery on Instagram

The snake is a darling pillow that a customer is making for her grandson. And I love the colors. She picked her favorite color from the snake for the accent stitch. The black lines use size 8 DMC perle cotton and the aqua lines are green Radiance 18. If you have more white space, I encourage you to add more space between the columns for an even cleaner look. For example, you could use two shades of a thread for a background on a still life or even a monogram.

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.

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Please enjoy! Have a wonderful #whimsicalwednesday!

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!

My Second Needlepoint Love

After more than a few years of stitching Christmas decor, I walked into Aristeia (in Brentwood, CA at the time) and saw a huge red apple on the wall. It was love at first sight and I went down the fruit pillow path for yeeeeeeaars. A common quote upon entering my house is, “Oh, there are all the fruit pillows!” Today’s stitch comes from one of those pillows.

Click on image to see on pinterest. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click the image to see #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday Stitched Sample Gallery on Instagram

Click the image to see #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday Stitched Sample Gallery on Instagram

The fruit pillow is a vintage Melissa Shirley piece. Each strawberry is stitched in a different decorative stitch. Today’s is from the upper right-hand corner. It uses Petite Very Velvet (black lines), Flair (yellow and aqua lines), and a Kreinik metallic (gray lines) on 13M. No doubt about it…this stitch is a lot. But, there are times where that is appropriate. I emphasized the three strawberries and stitched the remaining areas in fairly straightforward stitches with lighter-weight threads.

This is a great stitch for good-sized fruit. Obvs. Looking at it with the bolder threads, this would work well with clothing you want to draw attention to. You could add subtlety to it with lighter-weight threads, such as silk perle for the black lines, and Silk Lame for the Smyrna Crosses. You could leave the remaining areas open or fill them with basketweave or reverse basketweave for a toned-down version. You could even replace the Smyrna Crosses with beads, which would be so much fun for wrapping paper!

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.

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Please enjoy! Have a wonderful #whimsicalwednesday!

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!

A Trifecta of Sorts

It’s not just a #smallspacesunday. There are three ideas for your small spaces today! All of today’s samples are from recent teaching days.

First up, one of my favorite things is when a customer (or maybe possibly me) misinterprets a diagram. This is not a mistake; it is a new stitch! The plan was for Reverse Basketweave (diagram on right side below) on a cute Mary Lake Thompson owl (distributed through Melissa Shirley Designs). We ended up with what I now call a Literal T Stitch. The stitched sample uses white Radiance 18 on 18M. I may have squealed with joy when I figured out what she did. And I loved what she did because more shading showed through the stitching. And, if anyone is good at painting shading, it’s Melissa Shirley.

Click the image to see the whimsicalstitch.com Stitch Library on pinterest.com. Includes all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click the image to see #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday Stitched Sample Gallery on Instagram

A few days later, I thought this was going to be the perfect stitch for a student at Aristeia. Technically, it was but I had to flip it 90 degrees for it to be absolutely right. The stitched sample uses Petite Silk Lame on 18M.

And, last but not least. What do you do with a skinny tree? You take one of your favorite skinny stitches and make it skinnier! The stitched sample uses two plies of green Soie D'Alger on 18M.

The original Reverse Basketweave has truly become a go-to stitch for me. It’s small, unintrusive, and adds a tiny bit of interest without overwhelming a space. This variation is a great addition to our repertoire as it accomplishes all the same things but offers a bit more exposure. I hope you have the perfect spot for today’s small space stitch. Have fun playing with it!

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.

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.

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.

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!

Easy as 1, 2, 3

I talk a lot about scalability of stitches and today’s stitch is a perfect example.

Click the image to see the whimsicalstitch.com Stitch Library on pinterest.com. Includes all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click the image to see #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday Stitched Sample Gallery on Instagram

As you may know, I enjoy incorporating directional stitches to enhance the appearance of an object. As I stared at the house in today’s stitched sample, a lot of conflicting observations floated through my head.

Click on image to be taken to original blog post about Tramme stitches (aka layered stitches).

The spaces between the windows were limited, the canvas paint had glitter in it that I wanted to be visible, and I wanted to minimize the need for compensation. Adding additional empty rows to Tramme, one of the stitches from one of my earliest blog posts, was the solution.

The stitched sample uses a Kreinik metallic (size 8) (black lines) with two plies of Soie D'Alger (aqua lines). I featured the first tramme stitch I ever learned in one of my first blogs. The blog post is here; the corresponding Instagram link is here.

There’s a lot of fun to be had here. I hope you have the perfect place for this stitch. Enjoy!

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.

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.

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.

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!

Catch a Wave

Today’s stitch comes from an accident, and I’m happier with the result than the original plan.

Click the image to see the whimsicalstitch.com Stitch Library on pinterest.com. Includes all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click the image to see #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday Stitched Sample Gallery on Instagram

The stitched sample uses pink and white Elegance (from Rainbow Gallery) for a background on 18M. I love the clean lines of the triangles mixed with a little open space. Using two colors of threads distinguishes the rows of stitches, allowing the pattern to pop a little.

I love the idea of this stitch for waves with an overdyed ThreadWorx metallic or two shades of a lightweight metallic, such as Petite Silk Lame or size 8 Kreinik. You can add more space between the horizontal blocks of stitches or even make them a little taller by adding 1-2 rows to each group of three straight stitches.

I also like the idea of eliminating the skipped rows altogether for a condensed version, which could work well on a sweater with Vineyard Silk or on a green field with overdyed silk floss.

There’s a lot of fun to be had here. I hope you have the perfect place for this stitch. Enjoy!

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.

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.

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.

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!