Twinkle Season

It's the most sparkly time of the year!  Today's stitch comes from my Christmas tree.  Literally. 

I combined bugle beads and a small pearl for a fun take on a Parisian stitch for the white stripes on a Melissa Shirley ornament.  I strongly recommend adding the beads on the horizontal axis.  Start with the bugle beads and end with the pearls.  This would be darling with mixed colors.  

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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, and Patience Brewster. 48 guides are currently available and more are in the works.   

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Enjoy!

Nothing Wrong with More Diamonds

Welcome to more diamonds.  While I love the stitch, this post is really a story of threads.  

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.

Take a close look at the stitched sample.  It is an interesting exercise in thread weights and distinct finishes. 

The parallelograms surrounding the 6X6 diamonds are two different grays on the diagram and two different matte threads on the stitched sample.  The dark gray lines represent DMC Perle Cotton and the light gray line represents Vineyard Silk.  The diamond is filled with two different metallic threads.  The aqua lines are Shimmer Ribbon and the teal lines are Kreinik Metallics Tapestry Braid (#12). 

This is not the only way to stitch this stitch. Feel free to stitch the parallelograms in a single thread.  Depending on which part of the stitch (the parallelograms or the diamonds) you want to pop, adjust the thread weights accordingly.  Consider metallic parallelograms with velvet diamonds.  Try two different colors of a matte thread for the parallelograms with one color (but two threads) for the diamonds.  There are so many things you can do with this stitch.  It's great for any number of large areas...large fruit (as illustrated in the stitched sample), clothing, baskets, roofs, or floors, just as thought-starters.

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, and Patience Brewster. 48 guides are currently available and more are in the works!

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Enjoy!

Boo!

Today's stitch is a full coverage stitch I found in a book forever ago.  I had all but forgotten about it until I pulled out my Halloween decorations.

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 includes DMC Perle Cotton #8 with Flair.  It's a tricky little stitch.  Do NOT overlook the fact the beetles alternate sizes on the horizontal and vertical axises.  I strongly recommend adding the beetles first (gray lines), and fill in the parallelograms (turquoise lines) when you are done with the beetles.

This full coverage stitch will draw attention to a medium- to large-sized space.  It would be a fantastic coat or bag with rich threads such as Pepper Pot Silk, Very Velvet, Soie D'Alger or Gloriana Silk Floss for the beetles.  Combine those with a strong metallic such as Fyre Werks, Kreinik Metallics Medium Braid (#16), Silk Lame, Rachelette, or Frosty Rays.  It would make a wonderful basket or floor with lighter weight matte threads such as DMC Perle, Elegance, Subtlety, or Prescencia.  Combine colors and finishes to get your desired effect.

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, and Patience Brewster. 48 guides are currently available and more are in the works!

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Enjoy!

Christy's Window

I always love it when I stumble on a new (to me) small space stitch and it's more fun when it comes from one of my favorite stitchers.  I just love this 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.

I named it the Diagonal Cross Stitch because of the gentle slope of the stitches.

This stitch would be great for a window (as illustrated).  It's also a great stitch for any area you want to recede.  As an example, I shared it with a student for a small hill in the background of a country landscape.  It would be a charming way to honor beautifully shaded clouds or small bodies of water.  I recommend to use lightweight threads with a stitch this gentle.  For example, the stitched sample uses Kreinik Metallics Very Fine Braid (#4).  Depending on what you are stitching, consider Petite Silk Lame, Silk Straw, 2-3 strands of your favorite silk floss or wool.  

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, and Patience Brewster. 48 guides are currently available and more are in the works!

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Enjoy!

Open Diamonds!

Today's open stitch comes from a Aristeia workshop from several years ago.  It's a great stitch that strikes the perfect balance of an interesting stitch and the beautiful shading on the canvas.

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 recommend stitching the gray lines first, followed by the aqua lines, and ending with the bead.

The stitched sample includes Vineyard Silk, Shimmer Ribbon, and a Sundance Bead.  This stitch is great for many larger spaces, whether they are are a solid color or deeply shaded.   It could be gorgeous for a large tree with Vineyard Silk or Pepper Pot Silk (gray lines) and Painters Thread or a subtly overdyed Silk Floss (e.g., Gloriana Silk Floss or Dinky Dyes Silk Floss).   For a rich coat you want to stand out, try Very Velvet and Fyre Werks or Kreinik 1/16" metallic ribbon.

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, and Patience Brewster. 48 guides are currently available and more are in the works!

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Enjoy!

Just Right

Today's stitch is great for small, medium, and larg-ish areas.  In other words, it's just right.

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 includes Gloriana Florimell Silk Floss (gray lines) and Kreinik Metallics Medium Braid (#16) (aqua lines) on 13-mesh.

This stitch could work for so many things.  I see it as water with Petite Silk Lame and a lightweight Kreinik.  The combination of Burmilana (gray lines) and Gloriana Lorikeet (aqua lines) would make an attractive hillside or field.  Using the same thread for all the stitches, such as a Pepper Pot or an Appleton Tapestry Wool, would make a great beard.  I hope these thought-starters help you come up with something perfect for your space!

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, and Patience Brewster. 48 guides are currently available and more are in the works!

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Enjoy!

More Trifecta Goodness

Part of the joy of traveling to teach at stores outside of my neighborhood is seeing a variety of thread inventories, learning about regional nuances (for me, the use of the pin stitch) and seeing lovely stitched samples (the most fun).

The stitch below combines several things I came across during recent travels.  It includes overlapping diamonds (shades of a recent post), a tramme (a long time favorite of mine), and open work. 

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.

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The stitched sample includes Rainbow Gallery's Cashmere (aqua lines), Princess Perle (dark gray lines), and Entice (light gray lines).  

I used two different colors for the base threads to mix it up a little bit.  While this stitch is complex, it would still serve well as a background with 2-3 different threads in the same color.  Or stitch the dark gray base thread in a contrasting metallic.  It would make a great basket or ground cover with matte thread combinations such as Lorikeet, Soie D'Alger, Planet Earth Merino Wool, or Rainbow Linen.  Use it for clothing with Very Velvet, silk perles, and Kreinik.  I hope these thought-starters help you come up with something perfect for your space!

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, and Patience Brewster. 48 guides are currently available and more are in the works!

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Enjoy!

Amy's Stitch

Today's stitch and stitched sample come from a new whimsicalstitch.com friend, Amy Poore, of www.apooregirlpaintsneedlepointdesigns.com.  Her designs are adorable and designed to appeal to a new generation of needlepointers.  They are sweet and easy stitch pieces.  

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.

Just like her designs, the background stitch is crisp and clean.  The small accent and the skipped row are a delightful surprise.  The stitched sample uses DMC Perle Cotton for the gray lines and Glisten for the accent stitch (gray lines).

This stitch would work on so many areas.  Of the top of my head, ideas include animal fur (with solid colored wool for the gray lines) and a variegated wool for the small accent stitch or a floor with two shades of Princess Perle.  It would make an interesting stitch for a larger tree or even water.  I just love stitches that have so many applications.  

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, and Patience Brewster. 48 guides are currently available and more are in the works!

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Enjoy!

Technical Difficulties

I really, really like this stitch.  I am confident of this because this has been one of those posts that had multiple "technical difficulties" during every step (diagraming, stitching, and writing).  Every.  Single.  Step.  (Please ignore the fact those difficulties were of my own doing.)  But, I was so excited by this stitch that I kept going.  I give you the Triple Diamond.

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.

This stitch pops up in my Pinterest feed on a regular basis and I am always happy to see it.  I'm not sure the original teacher nor the original source, so all I have to offer is a broad "thank you!"  The diagram and stitch sample replicate the really clever color plan with three shades of a single hue plus a metallic. (The original post was blue and silver.)

As I was creating the stitched sample, I reached a point where I wasn't "done-done" but I still really liked it.  So, here's a variation with a slightly lighter touch.  

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 can't wait to use this stitch for a larger (and/or wider) area where I want to draw the eye.  It would make a great Santa coat or bag, large trees, even ground covering, or a large flower.  The second diagram provides a version where some of the shading can show through.  

Have fun with the thread combinations.  A dramatic stitch calls for dramatic threads.  Ideas include two hues of Very Velvet (diamonds) with Kreinik 1/16" ribbon surrounding the diamonds, Painters threads (diamonds) with wool or single strand silk for the surround, Lorikeet (diamonds) with Rainbow Linen or Grandeur for the surround.  

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 sells stitch guides and stitch concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, and Patience Brewster. 48 guides are currently available and more are in the works!

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Enjoy!

Ouch

Today's stitch comes from our stitching friend, Ruth Schmuff, of Bedecked and Beadazzled.  I adore everything about this stitch from the offset diamonds on top of diamonds along with the perfect weight of the gold thread.  (Oh, and I adore Ruth.)

I say "ouch" because creating this stitch diagram made my head hurt.  I relied on the stitched sample more than most diagramming projects.  

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 were two keys that helped me navigate this stitch.  First, I stitched the stitch in two distinct steps.  Add the diamonds first (aqua lines), followed by the herringbone accent (gray lines).  Understanding it is a herringbone stitch will help you navigate the crisscrossing threads.

The stitched sample is from a beautiful geisha project from Ruth.  This stitch would be beautiful almost anywhere.  The area will help you determine the thread weight required.  That said, one thing that drew me to this stitch was the lightweight metallic.

The stitched sample establishes it works well for clothing with Soie D'Alger and Kreinik Japan Thread #1.  For a heavier look for clothing (or a bag), consider Very Velvet with Petite Silk Lame.  Another heavier look includes Planet Earth Silk with Rainbow Gallery Neon Rays or Caron Collection Rachele or Rachelette as the accent.  I would love to see it as a floor with an overdyed floss or silk with a solid matte accent such as Rainbow Gallery Subtlety or even a single strand of Impressions. 

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, and Patience Brewster. 48 guides are currently available and more are in the works!

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Enjoy!