Small Tramme

Truth be told, most Tramme stitches qualify as small space stitches.  However, I singled this background out as a small Tramme background because the stitched sample is an ornament I did many years ago.

The stitch is very straightforward.

Sequence: 1. Dark gray vertical lines (aka base threads) 2. Yellow lines (aka accent threads) 3. Black lines

Sequence: 1. Dark gray vertical lines (aka base threads) 2. Yellow lines (aka accent threads) 3. Black lines

The vertical rows are over three to add a smoothness to the background and moderate the tramme rows in the stitch.  That is a personal choice; you can do over more or fewer rows in your own piece.

The stitched sample is a combination of three different finishes in the same color family.  

The threads are DMC Pearl #8, Very Velvet, and Kreinik Metallics Very Fine Braid, all in a very light blue.  The Kreinik is a very subtle touch and may be hard to see.  That was purposeful...the light weight creates a very subtle metallic pop to the background that I love. 

The possible thread combinations and color combos are endless.  This stitch makes a fantastic background (obviously), but would also be adorable on a pair of pants with the base thread of the tramme row in a contrasting color.  It would serve well as a wallpaper, floor, rooftop (yes, again with the rooftops), or ground cover.  Its strength lies in the tramme rows, which add definition and strength to the stitch.  If you want a strong vertical (or horizontal) design element, this stitch is for you.

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 for Melissa Shirley Designs and Zecca Designs.  28 guides are currently available, including the newest Tea by the Sea, and more are in the pipeline.

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

More Beetles

Today's stitch is a variation on a Beetle stitch.  By enclosing the individual beetles within borders, it makes for a fun look!

Beetle Stitch Variation with Elegance and Kreinik Metallics Fine Braid (#8) (on 18-mesh) on this morning's http://whimsicalstitch.com/whimsicalwednesdays blog post. #needlepoint #whimsicalstitch #rainbowgallery #elegance #kreinikmetallics #home #love #isit2020yet

57 Likes, 2 Comments - whimsicalstitch.com (@whimsicalstitch) on Instagram: "Beetle Stitch Variation with Elegance and Kreinik Metallics Fine Braid (#8) (on 18-mesh) on this..."

The stitched sample on Instagram uses Elegance and Kreinik Metallics Fine Braid (#8) on 18-mesh.  

I used lighter weight threads since it was a background stitch that I wanted to recede.  This stitch, with lighter weight threads, would also work for a floor as it can mimic tiles.  A student just used it on a seat cushion as the beetles offered a puffy look.  It would also make a beautiful water stitch with two metallics with similar color values.  

You could use this with heavier weight threads, such as Vineyard Silk or 6+ plies of strandable silk (such as Splendor) to give it some gravitas, say on a sampler, a piece of clothing, or a roof.  The symmetry of this stitch (via the vertical stitches) make it highly adaptable to almost any medium to large area.

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 for Melissa Shirley Designs and Zecca Designs.  28 guides are currently available, including the newest Tea by the Sea, and more are in the pipeline.

Enjoy!

A Blue TBT

Today's TBT is the Diagonal Mosaic.

The diagram for this stitch, along with 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 for Melissa Shirley Designs and Zecca Designs.  28 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

Enjoy!

Comment

Welcome to November

November posts are dedicated to background stitches.  We start the month with what I call the Crown Stitch. 

The Crown Stitch (in vertical columns) with Burmilana (3-ply) (on 18-mesh) on this morning's http://whimsicalstitch.com/whimsicalwednesdays blog post. #needlepoint #whimsicalstitch #amysburmilana #needlepointstitches #home #love

47 Likes, 1 Comments - whimsicalstitch.com (@whimsicalstitch) on Instagram: "The Crown Stitch (in vertical columns) with Burmilana (3-ply) (on 18-mesh) on this morning's..."

As with other very large stitches, I did not include compensation stitches so the overall pattern is as clear as possible.  My preferred fibers for most backgrounds are lightweight matte threads.  For 18-mesh canvas, these include cotton or silk pearls in size 8 or 12.  Examples include DMC Pearl, Anchor Pearl, Elegance, and Subtlety.  I'm also a big fan of Petite Silk Lame for 18-mesh backgrounds.  For 13-mesh canvas, I favor cotton pearls in size 8 or 5, single strand silk such as Pepper Pot or Vineyard Silk.  It's all a matter of taste.  My style tends to be slightly light, so adjust your threads accordingly if you like stronger coverage.

This stitch also works well for other large areas, such as clothing, rooftops, floors, skies, beards...it is truly diverse.  Speaking of beards, the stitched sample on Instagram is a beard from a Debbie Mumm Santa.  And it's vertical.  But we all know that's okay by now, right?

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 for Melissa Shirley Designs and Zecca Designs.  28 guides are currently available, including the newest Tea by the Sea, and more are in the pipeline.

I hope you enjoy today's stitch and have the perfect spot for it.

I Feel Like I'm Cheating

Technically, this is nothing more than traditional, plain, old-fashioned, tent stitch, half tent stitch, or whatever you call it needlepoint.  But alternating finishes in Plain Needlepoint is a fantastic way to brighten up a small space.

The diagram below is a 3-in-1 diagram, illustrating three ways to make this work for your space.

The stitched sample on Instagram illustrates the diagram on the far left.

This is a Meredith Collection Monogram pillow I'm working on.  With so many small spaces and the added complexity of geometric shapes, very simple needlepoint is called for, in my opinion.  (And it's a perfect easy stitch piece.)

I combined different finishes in the same color family.  The Alternating Tent Stitch is also a great way to combine colors, especially for dramatic small spaces.  (I'm thinking Halloween with alternating orange and green stripes.)  And, just for the record, I stitched a space with one thread type at a time, meaning I ended up doing a lot of continental stitches on the vertical.

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 for Melissa Shirley Designs and Zecca Designs.  28 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

Enjoy!

Speaking of Star Octagon...

Last week, I reminded you about Star Octagon on TBT.  It is a great stitch and it is also a great case study for skipping a row.  As you may also recall, I recently shared a stitch that found its magic in skipping a row, specifically the Alternating Cashmere variation.

I tried the same approach on Star Octagon...and loved it.

I like the empty centers.  It's a great way to show off the beautiful painting on so many of today's hand painted canvases.  However, they can be filled with Upright Crosses, a Rhodes stitch, or even more beads.  The space will tell you what to do.  

This stitch would work great on water, a sky, a bird's chest or wing, many pieces of clothing...even grass (with a cross-stitch in the center instead of a bead).  There are a lot of possibilities.  

Unfortunately, there is no stitched sample on Instagram this week.  Instead, to keep the stitching theme going on Instagram, I posted a picture of my cat, Lola, helping me stitch.  She's very good at helping.  Just ask her.  

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 for Melissa Shirley Designs and Zecca Designs.  28 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

Enjoy!

A Green TBT

Today's TBT is the Star Octagon.

The diagram for this stitch, along with 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 for Melissa Shirley Designs and Zecca Designs.  28 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

Enjoy!

Large and in Charge

Today's stitch is a doozy.  With the exception of the Smyrna crosses and any required compensation stitches, the smallest stitch is over four rows.  As much as I advocate for Plain Needlepoint, on certain days a small stitch can be no smaller than four rows.  I give you Double Square Diamonds.

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 Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

This is one of those stitches where the diagram looks kinda "meh."  I recommend doing the aqua lines first, followed by the light gray lines, and end with the Smyrna Crosses.  Take a look at the stitched sample for a moment to see how wonderful it can be. 

I love the concept of stitching the smallest lines (the straight light gray lines) in a different color.  In my opinion, it is what makes this stitch stand out.  This also provides more thread combination possibilities.  The stitched sample uses three threads with two finishes with related color values.  To translate the photo to the diagram, the aqua and light gray lines are matte finishes (in related colors) and the darkest gray lines utilize a metallic thread (in a related color).  

Another approach is to stitch the light gray lines (both straight and diagonal) in a lightweight metallic with a wonderful single ply silk for the aqua lines.  I also love the idea of stitching the three colored lines in three different colors.  For example, this could make a great coat for Santa with a matte red thread for the aqua lines, a gold metallic for the straight light gray lines, a red metallic for the diagonal gray lines, and a purple metallic for the Smyrna Cross.  

You could do the whole things in a single hue...let's say a blue sky.  Stitch the aqua lines in a pearl cotton.  Stitch the vertical light gray lines in Flair and the diagonal light gray lines in a lightweight Kreinik Metallic (Fine Braid #8 on 13-mesh and Very Fine Braid #4 on 18-mesh). Stitch the Smyrna Crosses in the same Flair or the same Kreinik Metallic. 

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 for Melissa Shirley Designs and Zecca Designs.  28 guides are currently available, including the newest Tea by the Sea, and more are in the pipeline.

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

Don't Hate Me

This is a fantastic small space stitch and is one of the few stitches that can stand alone with only one.  But, I swear out loud every single time I use it...and am always thrilled with the end result.  Always.  Today's stitch is the Jessica Stitch.

The important thing to remember about the Jessica is, despite appearances, there is a pattern to the stitch and you have to pay attention to the diagram.  The core element is repeated four times, once from each side of the circle.

Jessica Core Element.jpg

For clarity in this diagram (and the next diagram),  the sequence numbers are on the rows just outside the stitch sequence location.  

This pattern repeats itself in all four directions of the stitch.   The pattern begins up one row and over the number of rows your Jessica size will be.  Each subsequent stitch is one row over, UP a single row higher and OVER a single row lower.  For the diagram example, it's four rows.  So, the pattern is:

Up one and over four
Up two and over three
Up three and over two
Up four and over one

You repeat this pattern four times to create the circle.  If you have a stitch starting or ending in any of the four corners, it is no longer a circle, it is a square.  

Jessica.jpg
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.

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.

Different colors are used on each side to highlight the comment element for clarity.  In addition, and this is very important, on the last step, each of the four stitches (cream lines) are tucked under the stitches already there (light aqua lines).

The stitched sample on Instagram is from a Melissa Shirley stocking I did for MF9YO (my favorite 9-year old).

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 for Melissa Shirley Designs and Zecca Designs.  28 guides are currently available, including the newest Tea by the Sea, and more are in the pipeline.

So, as the blog title says, don't hate me.  I hope this helps you embrace a really fun stitch and I hope you have the perfect spot for it!  Enjoy!

SOS

If anyone is aware of a name for this stitch, please share!  I discovered it a couple years ago and I absolutely love how it looks like a circle, looks better without every intersection covered (in my opinion), and is a fantastic stitch to combine threads (whether it be finish or color).

I'm calling it Circles with Straight Lines until I hear otherwise.

A quick note to acknowledge I did not include compensation stitches because it is a complex stitch and I want you to focus on the stitch itself and to not be distracted by compensation stitches.

The base pattern (the dark gray lines) is over 3-4-5-skip a row-5-4-3.  You fill the 2X2 intersections between the base pattern with plain needlepoint (light aqua lines), a Smyrna Cross, beads...whatever your heart desires.

The skipped row in the base pattern (turquoise line) is filled with a contrasting stitch of some kind (whether it be the same color thread with a different finish or a contrasting color).  Here's where the fun starts.  The diagram shows a center stitch over two rows (turquoise line) with yet another contrasting color (the light gray lines) on either side.  Personally, I prefer this stitch with just the single stitch without the light gray stitches on either side.  It makes a more dramatic circle.

The stitched samples tell it all.  The first one is a classic rendition.  It has full coverage and, for the most part, contrasting thread finishes.

The sample on the left below is from a piece in my personal collection.  The stitch is on a pillow and uses beads in the intersections and does not include the accent stitches on either side of the center stitch. The sample on the right below is from Debbie Mumm's Polar Express.  This includes full coverage with multiple colors and finishes.

whimsicalstitch.com on Instagram: "Circle Stitch (for lack of a better name) with DMC Floss, Flair, and Kreinik Metallics Tapestry Braid (#12) (on 18-mesh) for today's stitch..."

32 Likes, 0 Comments - whimsicalstitch.com (@whimsicalstitch) on Instagram: "Circle Stitch (for lack of a better name) with DMC Floss, Flair, and Kreinik Metallics Tapestry..."

As you can see, this stitch can be all and do all.  I hope you have the perfect spot for it.  And I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

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 for Melissa Shirley Designs and Zecca Designs.  28 guides are currently available, including the newest Tea by the Sea, and more are in the pipeline.

Enjoy!