Devilish Squares

6X6 squares are one of my favorites.  It's the just right square...not too big, not too small and you can do a lot with it.  

My first square for you is a square being hugged!  Here's what I mean.

I absolutely love this look.  It's clean and well proportioned.  However, in my opinion, it works best in columns or borders.  You can get a hint of what a border looks like with this stitch as it is this week's stitched sample on Instagram.  This stitch truly pops when you use contrasting colors.  Mixing fiber types (say my usual recommendation of matte and metallic) with similar color values is an elegant addition with this stitch.

If your space is larger, or you want to add a little surprise to your squares, stitch an "unsquare" pattern in your square.  

Look carefully.  Those are 6X6 squares with defined borders and the pattern fits perfectly within a 6X6 space. Yet, they don't look like squares at all.  It's a great way to add pattern, symmetry, and a little deception to your space.

As I diagrammed the above stitch, my mind wandered.  The aqua area has so much more potential than a 45 degree edge.  So, I played a bit.  This play was also a chance to integrate my current obsession with layered stitches.

Each filling provides a different look.  Starting in the upper left hand corner and going clockwise, you can:

1. Add a layered cross stitch to keep the stitched area light and open

2. Add a layered diamond stitch to add a small amount of texture

3. Add Smyrna Crosses to add a more pronounced texture

4. Add a vertical diamond for a simple, elegant look

There's no right or wrong here.  You can also keep the centers open.  These four ideas are just thought starters!  

The next series of stitches finds their common theme in an eyelet stitch.  The first idea offers full coverage.

An eyelet stitch shares a common (typically) center hole.  It is very important to do eyelet stitches from the outside edges to the center to minimize the expansion of the center hole.  You can expand the center hole ever so slightly with a laying tool.  However, using a lighter weight thread (versus the canvas size) sometimes mitigates the need to expand the hole with a laying tool.  As an example, use Pearl #8 (on the ball) for the yellow lines on 13 mesh.  Use three plies of a pliable thread, such as floss or strandable silk, on 18 mesh.  

The next variation of this stitch is an open stitch but with an elegant accent.

While this stitch appears to eliminate the need for the eyelet hole, the advantage to maintaining it (and not doing long stitches from one corner to the other) is the height of the center will remain relatively flat versus the larger bump the long stitches would create.  

Keeping that thought, another dramatic accent is included on the next diagram.

Whether 13-mesh or 18-mesh canvas, a larger bead, such as a #6 or #8, would be a fantastic accent for this version. If you choose to accent the eyelet stitch with a bead, it's very important to maintain the eyelet stitch so the bead will have a relatively flat space in the center to rest.

The last 6X6 square is an open stitch with some beautiful and easy weaving.  

The last step in the sequence is exactly the same as the Modified Rice stitch in the 5X5 post.  The only tricky step is the last step.  Take a look at the "7-8" step.  You slide the final thread ("7-8") under the pre-existing thread ("1-2") to complete the stitch.

Expanding this pattern into multiple squares demonstrates what a beautiful, delicate pattern this is.  It would make an understated background, an elegant tabletop, a beautiful coat on a large Santa.  You get the idea.

It works as an open stitch or with a small accent in the emerging square areas as illustrated below.

I hope they inspire you!

These stitch diagrams, along with other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on www.pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday.  

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells stitch guides for seasonal Melissa Shirley designs. 20 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

Enjoy!

The True Inspiration

The true inspiration for a month of squares is this stitch from Carol H. Lake's "Desert Island Stitches."  

I discovered this stitch last Fall while working on a club series and was absolutely charmed.  It was the perfect proportion for the space, I could add contrasting color, and it was such a unique interpretation of a square.

The stitched sample on Instagram uses contrasting colors.  I also used it on the body of a boat (with a solid color and a white accent for the cross stitch).  I love both as they play the stitch completely differently.

If you are interested in the book, you can find more information here.  More information about the club series, hosted by What's the Point! in Dublin, Ohio, can be found here.  (Scroll down a little bit for information on The Petite Bouquet Club.)

The next 5X5 square is a modified Rice Stitch.  The traditional Rice Stitch contains an X over the square space (gray lines below) with each leg tacked down by a single stitch, typically in the outer corners (yellow lines).  (There are versions where the legs are tacked down by a stitch over two rows, but I digress.)   

The stitch sequence is numbers, followed by small letters, followed by capital letters.  The only step to be mindful of is the last step of the diamond (small letters).  Take a look at the "g-h" step.  You slide the final thread ("g-h") under the pre-existing thread ("a-b") to complete the stitch.

Expanding this into a pattern illustrates what a pretty stitch it is.  It's perfect for a floor, tablecloth, or clothing. 

The single stitches in the corner are optional as you may want more of the underlying X to be exposed for whatever effect you seek.  Another idea for the intersection where the yellow stitches are is to add an upright cross over two rows in each direction. 

The combination of thread weights and finishes is important for this stitch.  You need a balance of lightweight and heavy threads, with an emphasis on lightweight.  An example for 13-mesh canvas is a heavier thread, such as Rainbow Galleries Very Velvet, for the X, and follow with a lighter weight metallic such as Kreinik Metallics Fine Braid (#8) for the aqua diamond and a stranded silk or floss in a contrasting color for the yellow corners.

The last 5X5 idea for you today is the Covered Scotch.  This is another scalable stitch and is a great way to add color and texture to a space.

This stitch works equally well with threads with similar color values or contrasting colors.  My favorite combination is a flat metallic thread (such as Neon Rays, Fyre Werks, or Shimmer Ribbon) for the bottom thread and Very Velvet for the corners, with both threads in similar color values.  The eye gravitates towards the corners, so put the finish or color you want the attention to go to in the corner.

These stitch diagrams, along with other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on www.pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday.  

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 for seasonal Melissa Shirley designs.  20 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

Enjoy!

It Takes Two

Today's #smallspacesunday focuses on the 2X2 square.  

The standard for a 2X2 square is the Mosaic Stitch, the smallest Satin Stitch there is.  

I diagrammed it in two colors to expand your thinking on small spaces.  The two colors represent two colors, thread types or both.  

The next is the Cross Stitch or, as I like to elegantly call it, an X.

You will notice the diagram is in same colors and in the same size.  But the color pattern is different.  Just another way to look at a space.

The next 2X2 is the Upright Cross.  

The Upright Cross is featured as the stitched sample on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram page this week.

The Smyrna Cross is often overlooked because it adds a lovely pop of texture and most people think of it for only texture.  This begs the question...why not add the surprise of texture in a small space?  It's a lovely and unexpected touch.  And that's why I love it so.  

You will be surprised at how fun this stitch can be.  I've used it in "larger" small spaces such as a two-row high border, boots on a Santa, and as small bushes in the background in addition to the traditional small spaces such as a snowflake, a holiday ornament, or a button.  The Smyrna Cross adds a pop of contrasting color and texture in a larger stitch combo.

The possibilities are endless.  The only thing I obsess about is the application of a consistent stitch sequence.  My recommended sequence is above.  If you do a different sequence, I strongly encourage you to do the same sequence in all of the crosses.  

These stitch diagrams, along with other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on www.pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday.  

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 for seasonal Melissa Shirley designs.  20 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

Enjoy!

Silly Squares

A very happy New Year to you and yours!  

I'm trying something a little different for you this month. #whimsicalwednesdays and #smallspacesunday posts for January will focus on variations of a common stitch, specifically square stitches.

The collection of diagrams for this month were curated from my personal favorite stitches, stitched pieces that inspire me (from my circle of needlepoint friends), and my go-to books.  Each post focuses on a specific size square and includes a small sampling of the stitch possibilities for that size square. These are just thought starters and I hope they help you create something magical!

The month begins with 4X4 squares.  A simple and elegant way to dress up 4X4's is to alternate the directions of the squares AND add contrasting threads, in the opposite direction, on top of the square.

The stitched sample on Instagram illustrates a tone on tone with a bright accent with similarly weighted threads.  However, don't let that or the width of the gray line in the diagram restrict you.  This is a great stitch when you add a light thread across the top.  Think Vineyard Silk on 13-mesh with an overlay of Kreinik Metallics Fine Braid #8.  

By alternating the squares and setting the corner stitches apart with a contrasting thread (color or finish), you begin to see whole new patterns that don't even look like squares, but are squares.

I call it the Corner Stitch because the eye is drawn to the unique corners.  You can take this one step further and add open space and more pronounced accents.

This version removes the single stitch corners, creating two open spaces.  One is shaped like a square and one is shaped like a triangle.   You can fill one or both with the same or contrasting stitches.  Personally, I like to fill only one as it creates a smoother design pattern, but it is a matter of personal taste and what the space requires.  Alternate filling stitches include Plain Needlepoint, Smyrna Cross, Beads, or French Knots (select list).  Mix and match to your heart's delight.

The next diagram splits the widest stitch in half.  This is a personal favorite as I like the subtle texture it adds.  It is a technique that works better with lighter colored threads, so the split stitch is more clearly visible.

The next diagram provides an open alternative.  It is an exact square but looks much softer than other square alternatives.

The above diagram is scalable as well and works especially well with even numbered squares, allowing the gray Upright Cross to be in the exact center of the stitch.

The last two diagrams are related.  I call them "Forgetful" Squares.  By "forgetting" to add the single stitch in each corner, a world of possibilities opens up.

When you start expanding the color palette, as you do in the larger version of Forgetful Squares, it can be downright clever and beautiful.  

The color inspiration for the pattern in the larger diagram is drawn from the stitched photo in the lower right hand corner of this collage on flickr.  I absolutely love the colors in the sample.  

I hope these diagrams prompt a lot of creative ideas for your next square stitch!

These stitch diagrams, along with other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on www.pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday.  

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 for seasonal Melissa Shirley designs.  20 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

Enjoy!

The Wrapped Diamond

I'm wrapping up 2015 with a classic diamond stitch.  I call it the "Wrapped Diamond" because of the border surrounding it.  (No pun intended.  Really.) 

This diamond is slightly different from other diamonds on this site.  Specifically, the pattern is based on an odd number of rows.  

The diamond pattern is over 3 rows, 5 rows, 7 rows, 7 rows, 5 rows, and ends with over 3 rows. The two that are over seven rows establish a larger open space at the top and bottom of the diamond, allowing a more pronounced accent.

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.

To make this stitch easier to manage, add the diamonds first (aqua lines), followed by the borders surrounding the diamonds (gray lines) and ending with the french knot accents (black circles).

This diagram is a smidge deceiving as this stitch provides rather full coverage.  The lines are thinner to illustrate the individual stitches.  So, don't be concerned about the small gap between the outer rows of the diamond and the adjacent French Knot.  That should not happen in your stitched version.

The stitched sample on Instagram is from a pumpkin sampler I did many moons ago.  The threads are the same color values and provide a great choice for an an area where you want to be elegant yet still have a little pizazz.  Combining colors and thread finishes and/or weights will make a great coat, rooftop, floor, or background.  Using lighter weight threads in similar color values would lend themselves very well to a sky or pasture.  Use your imagination!

These stitch diagrams, along with other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on www.pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday.  

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 for seasonal Melissa Shirley designs.  20 guides are available and more are in the pipeline.

Enjoy!

Another Trifecta

This stitch is easy, clever, and wildly deceiving...another Trifecta.

Now that Santa has a warm coat, he needs a complementary bag.   This stitch is nothing more than vertical diamonds, yet the combo of similarly colored metallic threads make this stitch very elegant, understated, and stunning.

This diagram is best viewed alongside the stitched sample for this stitch.  The stitched sample is found on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram page. 

There are four lines in the diagram, representing four different threads.  The two dark gray lines (thin and wider) represent two different metallics in similar color values.  The aqua line and the light gray line represent another two different metallics in similar color values (but different from the dark gray lines).  (Note:  I did not add the compensation stitches, as I do with most stitch diagrams, because I wanted the focus to be on the overall pattern.)

In the stitched sample, the dark gray lines are a very light gold/copper metallic (in Neon Rays and Kreinik Metallics Fine Braid #8).  The aqua line and the light gray line are two separate cream colored metallics (Neon Rays and Flair).

It's a really easy stitch with such an elegant twist.  It would also be great to mix colors and thread finishes to draw more attention to an area.  This stitch would make a terrific coat, bag, roof, or floor.  You could expand the diamonds (and the overall stitch) to create a really fantastic large space stitch.  You may also consider eliminating the center diamond (the wide dark gray line) and covering that area in an (over) 2-4-6-4-2 (row) solid diamond for an even more subtle stitch.

This stitch diagram, along with other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on www.pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday.  

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 for seasonal Melissa Shirley designs.  17 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

Enjoy!

Baby, It's Cold Outside

And Santa needs a coat.

Today's stitch is a pared down version of a layered stitch I came across in a book.  As you will see on the stitched sample on Instagram, there is nothing special about the canvas that shows through, but the open area is a great way to add lightness to a stitched area.

I named the stitch "Tied Squares."  It's a combo of Scotch Squares in alternating directions and Oblong Upright Crosses connecting the squares.

I suggest adding the squares first, followed by the Oblong Upright Crosses.  The diagram below is my personal preference for the stitch sequence for the crosses.

If you choose to do a different sequence on the crosses, I strongly recommend you do the exact same sequence on all crosses.  It will maintain the stitch symmetry and pattern.

So, a little insight on layered stitches.  They are a wonderful way to add color and pattern to a canvas and there are times layered stitches are perfect.  However, don't forget to look at the cumulative total of the steps.  Sometimes you only need to do a portion of them.  The original diagram for this stitch included another set of oblong crosses in the open area.  And that's a great idea, especially if you want to add another color, but I loved the simplicity of the first two steps.

This stitch diagram, along with other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on www.pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday.  

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 for seasonal Melissa Shirley designs.  18 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

Enjoy!

It's a Small Stitch. Seriously.

This stitch doesn't look small, but it is a perfect small stitch.  I discovered it while auditioning stitches for a soon to be released Melissa Shirley piece.  (The piece and the stitch guide will debut at the TNNA San Diego Show in early January, so stay tuned.)

Okay, self-promotion aside, this is a great stitch for small and large spaces.  I'm not aware of a proper name for it.  So, I'm calling it the Small Surprise Stitch.

The only real trick to this stitch is to do it one row at a time in a specific order.  As an explanation, the single stitch accent covering the larger base stitch is added in the opposite direction, so it is much easier to add that accent while there is less thread surrounding it.  

Specifically, starting in the upper left corner, do one row of the base stitch (the gray lines) traveling down the canvas on the diagonal, skipping a row in between.  Follow up with the first accent thread (the green line).  Add the next row of the base thread, going up the canvas on the diagonal, followed by the second contrasting thread (the yellow line).  Repeat that sequence to fill the area.  The stitched sample on Instagram helps you see how the compensation works.

The compensation looks intimidating, but it's quite easy once you realize the base thread is the only thread requiring compensation.    

This stitch diagram, along with other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on www.pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday.  

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 for seasonal Melissa Shirley designs.  18 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

I hope you have the perfect space for this stitch and enjoy it!

Scrumptious Scallops

Scallop stitches are wonderful additions to many canvases.  The most obvious use for a scallop stitch is water.  It replicates waves...literally.  Think beyond that and you will find a highly versatile stitch that is appropriate for backgrounds, clothing, or roofs, just as thought starters.  The perfect symmetry lends itself to many applications.

The above stitch has perfectly matched rows of over three on the vertical with one empty row in between.  Skipping a row is purely optional...I just so happen to like the way the skipped row helps the stitch become understated.  This stitch was used as a sky on a Melissa Shirley birdhouse, as shown on Instagram.

The next example also skips a row and adds varied scallop widths.  This is fun application for clothing.

Scallop stitches are wonderful with multiple thread finishes.  You can alternate rows of matte and metallic or even add a row of beads (on the vertical) for an "over two row" possibility.  Consider alternating rows of different colors in the same thread.  (The stitched sample on Instagram illustrates that look.)  

These stitch diagrams, along with other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on www.pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday.  

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 for seasonal Melissa Shirley designs.  18 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

I hope you have the perfect space for this stitch and enjoy it!

Tiniest Changes

The tiniest changes make a huge difference.  For example, take the Satin Stitch.  The generally accepted form is over two or more rows on the diagonal, going from lower left intersection to upper right intersection.  If you want to go a little wild, try alternating directions in the columns.  It's the perfect stitch standard for so many areas, especially leaves, furniture, walls, backgrounds, or clothing, to name just a few.  

Yet, you can take this wonderfully straightforward stitch and make it something that really pops by doing one thing.  Add a contrasting row.

The gray lines in the diagram are a high contrast color or thread finish.  A color example is City Needlework Silk red for the aqua lines with a blue silk for the gray lines.  A thread finish example is using a lighter weight thread for the green lines and a heavier Very Velvet, in the same color values, adding interesting texture to an area.  You can also combine contrasting color and finish.

You can also play with it by adding more rows in between the gray rows, or fewer rows.  It's up to your imagination and what the space requires.

The first stitched sample on Instagram is a leaf on a Melissa Shirley bird houses canvas and is a highly contrasting color version of the stitch and has two rows in between the contrasting row.  The second sample on Instagram is an example of using contrasting finishes (stranded silk and shiny Fyre Werks).

This stitch diagram, along with other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on www.pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday.  

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 for seasonal Melissa Shirley designs.  18 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

Enjoy!