Cross My Heart...Again!

Today's stitch is Tied Oblong Crosses.  As I diagrammed this stitch, I quickly realized I could have added an indefinite number of variations, so please consider these nothing more than thought starters!

Scalability and versatility define this stitch.  The three possibilities illustrated below include oblong crosses five rows high and two rows wide.  You can make it as small as three rows high and literally as tall as he space.  

The chart on the left includes three base patterns that differ based on their accent stitches (the gray lines).  You can center the accents on the vertical, horizontal, or both.  To make the vertical accent work, the underlying cross (the aqua lines) needs to be at least two rows wide (as illustrated).  The diagram on the right illustrates how a base pattern is put together to create the overall look.   

Generally speaking, I prefer a matte thread for the crosses and a metallic thread for the accent stitches.  If you use the bottom pattern with two accent threads, be sure to use threads with enough color contrast between them to distinguish the look.

The stitched sample on Instagram is from a roof on piece I'm currently stitching.  It would make a great border stitch, especially on clothing.  There is so much you can do with this...let your imagination go wild!

On a separate but related subject, I would love to receive feedback on whimsicalstitch.com.  Please visit this link to fill out a short survey.  Thank you!

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.  22 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

Enjoy!

Patterns

This week's post is less about a specific stitch and more about how to mix patterns to fit rigid space definitions.  The backstory is someone asked me for a wallpaper stitch.  My first thought was some sort of huge, open, and fun stitch (my favorite).  Turns out the wallpaper was really columns surrounded by single vertical rows painted in a different color.  This person needed three stripe stitches to fit an overarching wallpaper.  A completely different request, but a great opportunity to mix things up a little.

The trick was to define the dimensions of the individual spaces, find a pattern, and mix stitches to fit that pattern.  Turns out the column width pattern was 10, 2, 3, 2, 10, 2, 3, 2, 10 with a row of plain needlepoint on either side of every column.  So, I needed three stitches, one ten rows wide, two rows wide, and three rows wide.

Here's where I landed.

Clearly, the 10 row column has the most stitching potential.  Any pair of 5X5 squares would fill the width of the space.  A smaller pattern, such as the Star Octagon, Woven Hungarian, or even a Tramme stitch would fit.  It's all a matter of personal taste.

The smaller columns are best handled in traditional stripe stitches.  But, don't be afraid to mix it up on the direction.  Mix diagonal and horizontal for a little change of pace.  You could do the over-2 columns in a single row of Tramme, or fill them with Smyrna Crosses from top to bottom.   

In terms of threads for backgrounds, I tend to understate the threads.  The stitched sample on Instagram illustrates the above diagram with a cream Subtlety.  I've seen versions of these columns with the all the columns in a matte thread and the gray lines are in a light sheen metallic.  The small splash of a muted metallic was a nice touch.  The final determination is the space you are stitching.  These are simply thought-starters.

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.  22 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

Enjoy!

Sweet Small Leaves

One of the perks of my job is visiting Melissa Shirley's studio.  It's like a visit to the candy store, Christmas morning, and my birthday all mixed together.  While one would think the canvases would keep me busy enough to overstay my welcome, I'm also fascinated by the stitched samples.  I'm always on the lookout for new stitches to integrate into my stitch work or this blog.

Today's #smallspacesunday comes to you from Melissa's studio.  These are some really clever stitches for small leaves that I absolutely fell in adoration with.  They were part of a lovely purse from Melissa's collection.

The first is a really simple addition to plain needlepoint.

The first step is to fill the section with Plain Needlepoint.  The second step is to add beads in every other hole where any two stitches meet.  The key to success here is to bring the beading needle up and down in the same hole, centering the bead on the intersection.  The stitched sample is on Instagram.

The next leaf is what I consider a universal small space stitch.  I never thought of it for a leaf and I love the idea.

Depending on your mood, or the leaf direction, you can do the alternating rows on the horizontal or vertical.  The stitched sample on Instagram is on the vertical (and corresponds to the above diagram).

The last adorable leaf is a series of Lazy Daisies shaped into a leaf with an extra little something something.

The photo on Instagram shows how charming the addition of beads is.  The beads are simply strung from the base to below the tip of the leaf.  I love this idea.

In other news, thank you for participating in State of the Whimsical Union survey.  Current survey findings can be found here.  Survey is still open, if you would like to add your voice.  Visit the survey here.

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 Melissa Shirley and Zecca designs.  22 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

Enjoy! 

Survey Says!

A huge thank you to all of you who participated in the still open survey about whimsicalstitch.com's products and services.  It's great to know what I'm doing right and what I can be doing better.  (If you want to add your thoughts, please go here.)

The following were common themes in the open-ended questions, along with direct quotes representing the theme.

Instagram
"I don't do Instagram." - Survey Respondent

You don't need to "do Instagram" to see the photos.  The whimsicalstitch.com Instagram page is public, so anyone can see whimsicalstitch.com photos whether or not they have an account.  A link is embedded in the whimsicalstitch.com blog post that takes you directly to the stitched sample on Instagram.  

I chose Instagram to share the stitched samples because it's a popular social media site that aligns perfectly with creative endeavors.  In addition, it's an opportunity to broaden awareness of the beauty of today's needlepoint and how it can enhance a home.  It's important we grow our community!

On a related note, please don't overlook whimsicalstitch.com on Pinterest!  whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest page has a board dedicated to the diagrams from #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday.  You can find that here.  

Custom Stitch Guides
"Can I purchase a stitch guide for a piece I purchased?" - Survey Respondent

As I write this, I am working on a template and pricing structure and hope to make a formal announcement soon.  

Teaching
"Are you available for private lessons?" - Survey Respondent

Currently, my teaching focuses on workshops hosted by local needlepoint stores.  My events page lists all the announced events.  Please join us if you are in any of those neighborhoods!  If you would like me to come to your local store, please let your local store owner know.  

More Posts Please
"Put two Wednesdays in a week; hard to beat what you are doing now." - Survey Respondent

Ha!  I don't have that power.  (Frankly, if I'm going to add a day to the week, it's going to be a Saturday.)  I'd like to remind everyone about #smallspacesundays, occasional posts dedicated to small space stitches published on Sundays.  So, every couple of weeks, it's just like there are two Wednesdays!

Honestly, I don't have plans to expand beyond posting stitch diagrams more than 1-2X per week, which leads me to...

Book
"Would love to see her compile a book of her whimsical stitches!" - Survey Respondent

Funny you should mention that...I would love her to do that too!  (And by her, I mean me.)  Please stay tuned!

Again, thank you for your recent feedback and your future feedback.  It is invaluable.

Throwback Tramme

It's Tramme time once again.  

Today's TBT features the Tramme stitch.  

Diagrams for this stitch, 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.  22 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

Enjoy! 

It's a Cluster

But in the best possible way.

Today's stitch is another base pattern from Ann Strite Kurz's book, "The Potpourri of Pattern" by Ann Strite Kurz.  The base pattern begins with a Hungarian stitch, or over 2-3-2 rows.  You may recognize the sequence from the more well known Criss Cross or Woven Hungarian stitch.

As with the Explosion stitch of last week, the fun begins with what stitch to put in the intersection.  Five 2X2 alternatives are provided.  Yet, if you want to fill more space with dramatic effect, I suggest either of the larger crosses at the bottom of the image.  Both fit in the exact center.  For both over four alternatives, the yellow cross on top would be exactly where the yellow alternating tent stitches are in the main diagram.  That will help you visualize the position of the gray lines.

This would make a fantastic background for a seasonal piece, whether it is Halloween, Christmas, or Spring.  You can select colors from the main area of interest from the canvas to bring it all together.  It also works well in a sampler.

On a separate but related subject, I would love to receive feedback on whimsicalstitch.com.  Please visit this link to fill out a short survey.  Thank you!

My preferred thread combination is matte threads, such as Pepper Pot Silk or DMC Pearl for the clusters and a contrasting metallic for the yellow centers.  The stitched sample on Instagram is a tone on tone version of this stitch, using a Smyrna Cross in the intersections.

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.  22 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

Enjoy!

It's an Explosion!

Welcome to June, the month of whatever stitch strikes my fancy.  We kick off June with what I call the Explosion Stitch.  Its origin is "The Potpourri of Pattern" by Ann Strite Kurz, one of my favorite pattern books.  Ann does a lovely job of combining patterns for a stunning effect.  Yet, I find the individual patterns just as intriguing.

This pattern creates a beautiful trellis.  I find the trellis pattern surprising, simply because no stitch in this pattern is more than over two rows.  Yet, it fills a large space quickly.  I prefer to leave the open diamonds just that...open.  

As always, the fun begins with what stitch to put in the intersection.  If you want to keep the diamond shape, I suggest the alternating tent stitches in the main diagram.  You can dress it up with beads or add some texture with a Smyrna Cross.  Be sure to have fun with the bead sizes.  A really large bead, such as #6 or #8, would be a wonderfully dramatic touch for the single bead center.

My preferred thread combination is a matte thread, such as Pepper Pot Silk or Silk Pearl for the gray lines, and a contrasting metallic for the yellow centers.  The stitched sample on Instagram uses Elegance and Kreinik Metallics Fine Braid #8 in a vintage metallic finish. 

On a separate but related subject, I would love to receive feedback on whimsicalstitch.com.  Please visit this link to fill out a short survey.  Thank you!

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.  22 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

Enjoy!

Small Skies Part 2

We wrap up the month of sky stitches with a #smallspacesunday.  I've named today's stitch "Small Trellis" because it reminds me of a trellis, I can't find a real name for it, and you may know by now that names aren't essential to me.  Seriously.  When we chat about stitches at my local needlepoint store, it goes like this:

Needlepoint Friend*:  "Does anyone have an idea for how I can stitch this area?"

Me:  "Oh, sure.  Do 1-2-1-2-1 with the thing in the center.  So and so did it on the flower center in the Zecca piece."

Needlepoint Friend:  "Oh!  I know exactly what you're talking about.  Sounds great.  Thanks."

*  Clearly, we've been doing this together for a while and have that shorthand.

This stitch would probably be called the "2-1-2 Diamond and don't worry about the centers."

This stitch is adaptable to so many spaces.  What makes it work for a sky is leaving the centers, both the square and the diamond shaped centers, empty.  For most other spaces, I would fill in one or both, but the simplicity of this makes it perfect for a sky.

I prefer this stitch with a lightweight matte thread.  Elegance or Grandeur are my go to threads here.  The stitched sample on Instagram uses Elegance on 18-mesh.

On a separate but related subject, I would love to receive feedback on whimsicalstitch.com.  Please visit this link to fill out a short survey.  Thank you!

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.  22 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

Enjoy! 

Happy Birthday!

whimsicalstitch.com turns one year old today!

And to honor this momentous occasion, I am thrilled to share whimsicalstitch.com is now old enough to have #TBT! 

Every other Thursday, I will post a link to a random blog post from the previous year, along with the stitched sample from Instagram (if one exists for that post).  These posts will be announced on whimsicalstitch.com's Facebook page and a photo will be posted on Instagram.  So, please like whimsicalstitch on Facebook and Instagram!  

Today's post is a literal throwback to our very first stitch post about Brick Beading.  This one is especially appropriate as I was so blog illiterate that I could not insert images into the post.  Well, I updated it appropriately and I hope you enjoy!

If you are of the mind, would you please complete a survey letting me know how whimsicalstitch.com is doing?  Here's the link.  I appreciate the feedback!

Happy birthday to us!

Beetlestitch!

This stitch hits all the right notes for me.  It's not too big and it's not too small.  It blends in perfectly and adds a sassy little look to a sky.  

I present the Beetle Stitch in sky form!

As with other sky diagrams this month, two colors are used for clarity.  The stitched sample on Instagram illustrates a single matte thread.  Another scenario is alternating a matte and light metallic in the same color value, as diagrammed in contrasting lines above.  The overall thread weight determines how much attention the area receives.

I just love this stitch.  And I'm ashamed the piece I'm using it on isn't done yet.  It's one of those that is so close it should be done.  Shame on me!   I'm going to go finish it now.  And maybe write a stitch guide for it.

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.  22 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

Enjoy!