You're a Square!

I choose to take that alleged insult as a compliment, thank you very much.

Today's post is really about utilizing complementary stitches in shared spaces.  My case study is a dress on an ice skater.  The shared space is the dress and I used two different square stitches for the bodice and the skirt.  I made that choice because of the tiny waist, blouse, and arms.  I also wanted something to stand out.  Once I landed on a standout stitch for the skirt, I selected a similar stitch on a smaller scale for the blouse.

The blouse is stitched in a simple Mosaic stitch and the skirt is a fun 5X5 layered square.

The stitched sample used Neon Rays on 13-mesh.  What I like about Neon Rays for this application is how smooth and flat it is.  It lays perfectly (with a little help from a laying tool).  

Layered Squares with Neon Rays (on 13-mesh) on this morning's http://whimsicalstitch.com/whimsicalwednesdays blog post. #needlepoint #whimsicalstitch #rainbowgallery #neonrays #home #love #excusethecathair

50 Likes, 0 Comments - whimsicalstitch.com (@whimsicalstitch) on Instagram: "Layered Squares with Neon Rays (on 13-mesh) on this morning's..."

If you want a more pronounced lift with a metallic thread, use a more defined and substantial thread such as Kreinik Metallic (size 8 on 18-mesh and size 12 on 13-mesh).  For a flatter matte finish, use a stranded floss (silk or cotton) with a laying tool.   

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!

A Yellow TBT

Today's TBT is the Knit Stitch. 

12.01.2016 TBT.jpg

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!

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Diagonal Straight Lines

Yes, it's another tramme, but all I see are the diagonal (straight) lines.  

So, a little background (no pun intended).  My primary source of stitch ideas come from stitched pieces that cross my path.  Some are from stitching friend's pieces, some are from students, and most are from my own pieces.  When I am convinced I don't have an idea to share, I literally walk through my house and try to find something A. I forgot about and B. I think you will like.

This stitch is a perfect example of "A."  Today's stitch is from a holiday pillow.  (And, yes, I put out my Christmas pillows before Thanksgiving.  And, yes, I judge Costco harshly for doing the same.)

You will see why I call it Diagonal Straight lines.

The stitched sample uses DMC Pearl Cotton #8 (gray lines) and Crystal Braid (aqua lines) on 13-mesh.  

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!

Dot Dot Dot

Yes, the title is dot, dot, dot.  As in Dotted Swiss.

As you know, I am a huge advocate of Plain Needlepoint in every piece.  It provides balance and a place for the eye to rest.  The stitched sample for this stitch is a perfect example of this philosophy.  It's Melissa Shirley's Vintage Pears with a stitch guide by Beverly Churchfield.  The pears are gorgeous.  If you want to do an exquisite version of that canvas, I strongly encourage you to get Bev's stitch guide.

The background is a Dotted Swiss variation to allow the pears to shine as they are truly extraordinary.  That said, I did add a little sparkle to the background as well.

I used DMC Floss and Crystal Braid with similar color values.  And I love it. 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!

Skipping Rows

About a month ago, I talked about skipping rows.  Today's stitch is another riff on that theme and builds on this month's (unintentional) tramme theme.

So, a funny thing happened on the way to these diagrams.  I planned for one diagram this week.  I charted the diagram below from (I now know) an incorrect memory as it is not a perfect match to the stitched sample.  Technically, it's still correct because it's just one of the many ways you can play with this stitch. So, voila!, you have three diagrams.

The first version of this "skipping a row" stitch includes Tramme.  

Layered column sequence: 1. Gray lines 2. Yellow lines 3. Aqua lines

Layered column sequence: 1. Gray lines 2. Yellow lines 3. Aqua lines

Pay attention to the empty rows in between the vertical black lines and the oblique yellow lines.  It adds a crisp edge to the columns on either side.

The next version of this stitch eliminates the Tramme effect (by removing the gray lines), yet fills in that area with a small vertical stitch.  It's a subtle difference but makes the stitch a little less pronounced (by removing the thread underneath the crosses).

The graph above matches the stitched sample on Instagram.

As a reminder, I use multiple colors for clarity in the graphs.  As you can see in the stitched sample, I used Elegance for the black and yellow lines and Kreinik Metallics Fine Braid (#8) for the accent stitches (the turquoise lines) on 13-mesh. 

The last diagram leaves the Extended Crosses with the horizontal accent stitches as standalone stitches, with no tramme nor vertical accents in between.  I must admit I like the simplicity of this stitch.

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, including the newest Tea by the Sea, and more are in the pipeline.

I hope you have the perfect spot for any one of these stitches!  Enjoy!

A Tramme TBT

Today's TBT is the Tramme Stitch.  

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!

A Theme is Emerging

I am well aware I have a lot of Tramme and Beetle stitches in my work over time, but this month drives that point home in a borderline embarrassing way.  (Unless, of course, you really like Tramme and Beetles, then it is part of my plan!)

Meaning, yes, today's stitch combines Beetles and Tramme.  We knew it had to happen sometime. 

The stitched sample on Instagram is a retired Melissa Shirley fruit canvas.  I love me some fruit needlepoint.  You'll be seeing more of my fruit stitches in February, as they are great examples of open work (February's theme).

The stitched sample uses Elegance (gray lines), Flair (aqua lines), and Kreinik Metallics Fine Braid #8 (turquoise lines) on 13-mesh.  As you may know by now, I like a lighter touch, especially on background stitches.  Flair was a strategic choice.  I love the way that Flair lays flat.  It is a great base thread for Tramme.

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!

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!

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