Create Needlepoint!

Decorative Needlepoint Stitches Stocking

Yesterday I painted a decorative needlepoint stitches stocking. It's about 7" x 5". There are nine decorative stitches painted with two colors and two steps. I tried to paint some gold so when it's finished with gold cord it will all flow.

This is how I paint canvases. I tape a template to a canvas board. then I tape the #14 mesh canvas over the template. I use note cards to write paint colors and stitch so I can remember what I was thinking. I've also started painting little color swatches on the bottom.

I like the shape of the stocking. I think I'll have a smaller stocking painted on # 18 canvas too. Hopefully I'll get a little group of them painted soon.

Gingerbread Farmhouse Needlepoint Class

I taught the Gingerbread Farmhouse class today at Wool & Willow. It was a great group! Part of the class was spent learning decorative stitches and the part of the class was a "thread finder", where each stitcher selected specialty threads to create their own interpretation of the Gingerbread Farmhouse. I hope everyone had as much fun as I did. I can't wait to see a whole village of finished gingerbread houses!

Abstract needlepoint Mosaic Stripe Stitch

 

 

I started working on my Abstract needlepoint canvas. Each color area is outlined with Vineyard Merino #M 1111 Jet Black. The black outlining really helps the colors pop. That was my plan. I stitched the first step of the Mosaic Stripe Stitch with Vineyard Merino #M 1082 Jewel and the second step of the Mosaic Stripe Stitch with Vineyard Merino #M 1084 Snorkel. I was hoping for one area of color even though I used two different colors for the stitch. I didn't want the stitch colors to jump out as too different, but to blend. I think it worked.

Gingerbread Farmhouse Stitch Guide

 
Create something "sweet" and special to celebrate the Holidays! X22 Gingerbread Farmhouse is a wonderful way to learn decorative stitches, choose specialty threads and expand your needlepoint knowledge! You will learn 6 two-step decorative stitches, adapting them to specific areas, and select specialty threads to create your own interpretation of this 9” x 7 1/2”,  #14 mesh, hand-painted needlepoint canvas.

Stitch Guide now online!

 

Needlepoint Decorative Stitches Stitched

I wanted to show needlepoint decorative stitches finished with each stitch diagram. Sometimes I look at a stitch diagram and wonder what the stitch would look like finished.

Needlepoint Stitch Guides

My Needlepoint Stitch Guides page is up and running! All Barbara Bergsten Designs stitch guides are free. Just click, print & needlepoint!

Needlepoint.com Class

On September 23rd Jen at Needlepoint.com taught my "Painted Stitches Sampler". I developed this canvas so shops could teach it without having to bring in a special teacher.

Jen sent me an email, " The class went great!! All the comments were that the canvas really helped to learn the new stitches in a “fun” way & from a teaching perspective, it was very easy because between the stitch diagrams and the painted canvases, the stitches almost teach themselves."

If you are looking for a fun easy class try a "Painted Stitches" canvas!

Needlepoint Flower Plant Stand-October

My next needlepoint project is Flower Plant Stand-October. The border is "painted stitches" Cashmere Checker Stitch. The flowers are Calendulas and Cosmos, the flowers for the month of October. I was going to stitch this canvas in some fancy threads then decided to stitch it all with Vineyard Merino to show the canvas stitched simply in wool. Then all the great stitchers can think of embellishment ideas without my preconcived ideas! This needlepoint canvas is one of 12 that I'm showcasing at the St. Charles Show at the end of September! If you are a shop owner I hope to see you in St. Charles.

New Needlepoint Stitch Guides On-line

LTI06 Green-Aqua Needlepoint Stitch Guide now On-line

LTI07 Pink-Aqua Stitch Needlepoint Guide now On-line

Big check mark off my to-do list! Now I just need to get the rest of my stitch guides up on my website. All Barbara Bergsten Designs stitch guides and stitch diagrams are free ... Open, Print, Needlepoint!

Needlepoint Stitch Guides

I'm working on two needlepoint stitch guides to add to my collection.

LTI06 Aqua-Green Needlepoint Long Tote Insert

This was my inspiration for LTI06 Aqua-Green Needlepoint Long Tote Insert

April 03, 2009

Needlepoint Basket Purse

I’m working on the revival of the Needlepoint Basket Purse. Queen Bea Studios has some great basket purses that are just crying out for monogrammed needlepoint canvases. I’m working on some designs and will post as soon as I get a group together.

LTI07 Pink-Aqua Needlepoint Long Tote Insert

Here are the blog posts for LTI07 Pink-Aqua Needlepoint Long Tote Insert

April 04, 2009

Needlepoint Basket Purse 2

 

I worked up a design for the Needlepoint Basket Purse. I’m going to stitch it with Vineyard Merino with some highlights stitched with Silk Lame’ Braid. I charted the monogram from Tink’s Marvelous Monograms – vol. 1 Monogram #16 HexTriple34. I’m using the Diagonal Scotch Stitch, Scotch Stitch, Mosaic Stitch, Rice Stitch, Staircase Stitch and Basketweave Tent Stitch. I’ll keep you posted!

April 10, 2009

Needlepoint Basket Purse Insert Progress

Here’s my progress on the design for the Needlepoint Basket Purse.  I needlepointed the Scotch Stitch and Diagonal Scotch Stitch in greens. The first step of the Staircase Stitch is in pink and the first step of the Rice Stitch is dark aqua. I’ve liked the names to the diagrams.

April 11, 2009

Working out Stitches

For the monogram on my Needlepoint Basket Purse insert I wanted to use an alternative stitch. I thought this would work well with all the other stitches in the canvas. Also the background of the monogram is Basketweave Tent stitch so it wouldn’t fight with the letters. Actually the Basketweave Tent stitch gives a place for the eye to rest. When you have many areas of color, texture and pattern it is important to have areas of “rest” throughout the canvas. All my rest areas are needlepointed in the same color (light aqua) and the same stitch (Basketweave Tent stitch). This formula gives an underlying cohesiveness to the needlepoint canvas. The monogram is 2 mesh threads wide. Cashmere and Mosaic stitches are two wide so they would be good choices. I’d like to use the Mosaic if it would work because I’d like the “little box” look more than the “long box” look if possible. Next I worked out the stitches on paper over the monogram. I don’t like to rip out threads so I work out possibilities on paper or canvas first. The Mosaic stitch worked. I’m glad I worked out the stitches on paper first because the ends of the S’s were a bit tricky for me.

April 13, 2009

More Progress!

Here’s more progress on the design for the Needlepoint Basket Purse.  I needlepointed the Scotch Stitch and Diagonal Scotch Stitch in two Vineyard Merino greens. The first step of the Staircase Stitch is pink and the second step is stitched in white Vineyard Merino. The first step of the Rice Stitch is dark aqua Vineyard Merino the second step yellow Silk Lame’ Braid. The light aqua Vineyard Merino is Basketweave Tent Stitch. The light green Silk Lame’ Braid is a compensated Mosaic stitch to fill in areas. The monogram is Mosaic Stitch. The overall design is coming together. I like the wool and slik combination.

Needlepoint Basket Purse Finished

 

Hopefully the stitch guides will be on my website tomorrow or Friday. I wish I would finish them while I'm painting the canvas and everything is fresh in my mind!

I’m working on the revival of the Needlepoint Basket Purse. Queen Bea Studios has some great basket purses that are just crying out for monogrammed needlepoint canvases. I’m working on some designs and will post as soon as I get a group together.

 

I worked up a design for the Needlepoint Basket Purse. I’m going to stitch it with Vineyard Merino with some highlights stitched with Silk Lame’ Braid. I charted the monogram from Tink’s Marvelous Monograms – vol. 1 Monogram #16 HexTriple34. I’m using the Diagonal Scotch Stitch, Scotch Stitch, Mosaic Stitch, Rice Stitch, Staircase Stitch and Basketweave Tent Stitch. I’ll keep you posted!

Here’s my progress on the design for the Needlepoint Basket Purse.  I needlepointed the Scotch Stitch and Diagonal Scotch Stitch in greens. The first step of the Staircase Stitch is in pink and the first step of the Rice Stitch is dark aqua. I’ve liked the names to the diagrams.

April 11, 2009

Working out Stitches

For the monogram on my Needlepoint Basket Purse insert I wanted to use an alternative stitch. I thought this would work well with all the other stitches in the canvas. Also the background of the monogram is Basketweave Tent stitch so it wouldn’t fight with the letters. Actually the Basketweave Tent stitch gives a place for the eye to rest. When you have many areas of color, texture and pattern it is important to have areas of “rest” throughout the canvas. All my rest areas are needlepointed in the same color (light aqua) and the same stitch (Basketweave Tent stitch). This formula gives an underlying cohesiveness to the needlepoint canvas. The monogram is 2 mesh threads wide. Cashmere and Mosaic stitches are two wide so they would be good choices. I’d like to use the Mosaic if it would work because I’d like the “little box” look more than the “long box” look if possible. Next I worked out the stitches on paper over the monogram. I don’t like to rip out threads so I work out possibilities on paper or canvas first. The Mosaic stitch worked. I’m glad I worked out the stitches on paper first because the ends of the S’s were a bit tricky for me.

April 13, 2009

More Progress!

Here’s more progress on the design for the Needlepoint Basket Purse.  I needlepointed the Scotch Stitch and Diagonal Scotch Stitch in two Vineyard Merino greens. The first step of the Staircase Stitch is pink and the second step is stitched in white Vineyard Merino. The first step of the Rice Stitch is dark aqua Vineyard Merino the second step yellow Silk Lame’ Braid. The light aqua Vineyard Merino is Basketweave Tent Stitch. The light green Silk Lame’ Braid is a compensated Mosaic stitch to fill in areas. The monogram is Mosaic Stitch. The overall design is coming together. I like the wool and slik combination.

Needlepoint Basket Purse Finished

 

Hopefully the stitch guides will be on my website tomorrow or Friday. I wish I would finish them while I'm painting the canvas and everything is fresh in my mind!

For the monogram on my Needlepoint Basket Purse insert I wanted to use an alternative stitch. I thought this would work well with all the other stitches in the canvas. Also the background of the monogram is Basketweave Tent stitch so it wouldn’t fight with the letters. Actually the Basketweave Tent stitch gives a place for the eye to rest. When you have many areas of color, texture and pattern it is important to have areas of “rest” throughout the canvas. All my rest areas are needlepointed in the same color (light aqua) and the same stitch (Basketweave Tent stitch). This formula gives an underlying cohesiveness to the needlepoint canvas. The monogram is 2 mesh threads wide. Cashmere and Mosaic stitches are two wide so they would be good choices. I’d like to use the Mosaic if it would work because I’d like the “little box” look more than the “long box” look if possible. Next I worked out the stitches on paper over the monogram. I don’t like to rip out threads so I work out possibilities on paper or canvas first. The Mosaic stitch worked. I’m glad I worked out the stitches on paper first because the ends of the S’s were a bit tricky for me.

April 13, 2009

More Progress!

Here’s more progress on the design for the Needlepoint Basket Purse.  I needlepointed the Scotch Stitch and Diagonal Scotch Stitch in two Vineyard Merino greens. The first step of the Staircase Stitch is pink and the second step is stitched in white Vineyard Merino. The first step of the Rice Stitch is dark aqua Vineyard Merino the second step yellow Silk Lame’ Braid. The light aqua Vineyard Merino is Basketweave Tent Stitch. The light green Silk Lame’ Braid is a compensated Mosaic stitch to fill in areas. The monogram is Mosaic Stitch. The overall design is coming together. I like the wool and slik combination.

Needlepoint Basket Purse Finished

 

Hopefully the stitch guides will be on my website tomorrow or Friday. I wish I would finish them while I'm painting the canvas and everything is fresh in my mind!

Here’s more progress on the design for the Needlepoint Basket Purse.  I needlepointed the Scotch Stitch and Diagonal Scotch Stitch in two Vineyard Merino greens. The first step of the Staircase Stitch is pink and the second step is stitched in white Vineyard Merino. The first step of the Rice Stitch is dark aqua Vineyard Merino the second step yellow Silk Lame’ Braid. The light aqua Vineyard Merino is Basketweave Tent Stitch. The light green Silk Lame’ Braid is a compensated Mosaic stitch to fill in areas. The monogram is Mosaic Stitch. The overall design is coming together. I like the wool and slik combination.

 

Hopefully the stitch guides will be on my website tomorrow or Friday. I wish I would finish them while I'm painting the canvas and everything is fresh in my mind!

Needlepoint Basket Purse

I’m working on the revival of the Needlepoint Basket Purse. Queen Bea Studios has some great basket purses that are just crying out for monogrammed needlepoint canvases. I’m working on some designs and will post as soon as I get a group together.

Needlepoint Basket Purse 2

 

I worked up a design for the Needlepoint Basket Purse. I’m going to stitch it with Vineyard Merino with some highlights stitched with Silk Lame’ Braid. I charted the monogram from Tink’s Marvelous Monograms – vol. 1 Monogram #16 HexTriple34. I’m using the Diagonal Scotch Stitch, Scotch Stitch, Mosaic Stitch, Rice Stitch, Staircase Stitch and Basketweave Tent Stitch. I’ll keep you posted!

Needlepoint Basket Purse Insert Progress

Here’s my progress on the design for the Needlepoint Basket Purse.  I needlepointed the Scotch Stitch and Diagonal Scotch Stitch in greens. The first step of the Staircase Stitch is in pink and the first step of the Rice Stitch is dark aqua. I’ve liked the names to the diagrams.

April 11, 2009

Working out Stitches

For the monogram on my Needlepoint Basket Purse insert I wanted to use an alternative stitch. I thought this would work well with all the other stitches in the canvas. Also the background of the monogram is Basketweave Tent stitch so it wouldn’t fight with the letters. Actually the Basketweave Tent stitch gives a place for the eye to rest. When you have many areas of color, texture and pattern it is important to have areas of “rest” throughout the canvas. All my rest areas are needlepointed in the same color (light aqua) and the same stitch (Basketweave Tent stitch). This formula gives an underlying cohesiveness to the needlepoint canvas. The monogram is 2 mesh threads wide. Cashmere and Mosaic stitches are two wide so they would be good choices. I’d like to use the Mosaic if it would work because I’d like the “little box” look more than the “long box” look if possible. Next I worked out the stitches on paper over the monogram. I don’t like to rip out threads so I work out possibilities on paper or canvas first. The Mosaic stitch worked. I’m glad I worked out the stitches on paper first because the ends of the S’s were a bit tricky for me.

April 13, 2009

More Progress!

Here’s more progress on the design for the Needlepoint Basket Purse.  I needlepointed the Scotch Stitch and Diagonal Scotch Stitch in two Vineyard Merino greens. The first step of the Staircase Stitch is pink and the second step is stitched in white Vineyard Merino. The first step of the Rice Stitch is dark aqua Vineyard Merino the second step yellow Silk Lame’ Braid. The light aqua Vineyard Merino is Basketweave Tent Stitch. The light green Silk Lame’ Braid is a compensated Mosaic stitch to fill in areas. The monogram is Mosaic Stitch. The overall design is coming together. I like the wool and slik combination.

Needlepoint Basket Purse Finished

 

Hopefully the stitch guides will be on my website tomorrow or Friday. I wish I would finish them while I'm painting the canvas and everything is fresh in my mind!

For the monogram on my Needlepoint Basket Purse insert I wanted to use an alternative stitch. I thought this would work well with all the other stitches in the canvas. Also the background of the monogram is Basketweave Tent stitch so it wouldn’t fight with the letters. Actually the Basketweave Tent stitch gives a place for the eye to rest. When you have many areas of color, texture and pattern it is important to have areas of “rest” throughout the canvas. All my rest areas are needlepointed in the same color (light aqua) and the same stitch (Basketweave Tent stitch). This formula gives an underlying cohesiveness to the needlepoint canvas. The monogram is 2 mesh threads wide. Cashmere and Mosaic stitches are two wide so they would be good choices. I’d like to use the Mosaic if it would work because I’d like the “little box” look more than the “long box” look if possible. Next I worked out the stitches on paper over the monogram. I don’t like to rip out threads so I work out possibilities on paper or canvas first. The Mosaic stitch worked. I’m glad I worked out the stitches on paper first because the ends of the S’s were a bit tricky for me.

April 13, 2009

More Progress!

Here’s more progress on the design for the Needlepoint Basket Purse.  I needlepointed the Scotch Stitch and Diagonal Scotch Stitch in two Vineyard Merino greens. The first step of the Staircase Stitch is pink and the second step is stitched in white Vineyard Merino. The first step of the Rice Stitch is dark aqua Vineyard Merino the second step yellow Silk Lame’ Braid. The light aqua Vineyard Merino is Basketweave Tent Stitch. The light green Silk Lame’ Braid is a compensated Mosaic stitch to fill in areas. The monogram is Mosaic Stitch. The overall design is coming together. I like the wool and slik combination.

Needlepoint Basket Purse Finished

 

Hopefully the stitch guides will be on my website tomorrow or Friday. I wish I would finish them while I'm painting the canvas and everything is fresh in my mind!

Here’s more progress on the design for the Needlepoint Basket Purse.  I needlepointed the Scotch Stitch and Diagonal Scotch Stitch in two Vineyard Merino greens. The first step of the Staircase Stitch is pink and the second step is stitched in white Vineyard Merino. The first step of the Rice Stitch is dark aqua Vineyard Merino the second step yellow Silk Lame’ Braid. The light aqua Vineyard Merino is Basketweave Tent Stitch. The light green Silk Lame’ Braid is a compensated Mosaic stitch to fill in areas. The monogram is Mosaic Stitch. The overall design is coming together. I like the wool and slik combination.

 

Hopefully the stitch guides will be on my website tomorrow or Friday. I wish I would finish them while I'm painting the canvas and everything is fresh in my mind!

Working out Stitches

For the monogram on my Needlepoint Basket Purse insert I wanted to use an alternative stitch. I thought this would work well with all the other stitches in the canvas. Also the background of the monogram is Basketweave Tent stitch so it wouldn’t fight with the letters. Actually the Basketweave Tent stitch gives a place for the eye to rest. When you have many areas of color, texture and pattern it is important to have areas of “rest” throughout the canvas. All my rest areas are needlepointed in the same color (light aqua) and the same stitch (Basketweave Tent stitch). This formula gives an underlying cohesiveness to the needlepoint canvas. The monogram is 2 mesh threads wide. Cashmere and Mosaic stitches are two wide so they would be good choices. I’d like to use the Mosaic if it would work because I’d like the “little box” look more than the “long box” look if possible. Next I worked out the stitches on paper over the monogram. I don’t like to rip out threads so I work out possibilities on paper or canvas first. The Mosaic stitch worked. I’m glad I worked out the stitches on paper first because the ends of the S’s were a bit tricky for me.

April 13, 2009

More Progress!

Here’s more progress on the design for the Needlepoint Basket Purse.  I needlepointed the Scotch Stitch and Diagonal Scotch Stitch in two Vineyard Merino greens. The first step of the Staircase Stitch is pink and the second step is stitched in white Vineyard Merino. The first step of the Rice Stitch is dark aqua Vineyard Merino the second step yellow Silk Lame’ Braid. The light aqua Vineyard Merino is Basketweave Tent Stitch. The light green Silk Lame’ Braid is a compensated Mosaic stitch to fill in areas. The monogram is Mosaic Stitch. The overall design is coming together. I like the wool and slik combination.

Needlepoint Basket Purse Finished

 

Hopefully the stitch guides will be on my website tomorrow or Friday. I wish I would finish them while I'm painting the canvas and everything is fresh in my mind!

Here’s more progress on the design for the Needlepoint Basket Purse.  I needlepointed the Scotch Stitch and Diagonal Scotch Stitch in two Vineyard Merino greens. The first step of the Staircase Stitch is pink and the second step is stitched in white Vineyard Merino. The first step of the Rice Stitch is dark aqua Vineyard Merino the second step yellow Silk Lame’ Braid. The light aqua Vineyard Merino is Basketweave Tent Stitch. The light green Silk Lame’ Braid is a compensated Mosaic stitch to fill in areas. The monogram is Mosaic Stitch. The overall design is coming together. I like the wool and slik combination.

 

Hopefully the stitch guides will be on my website tomorrow or Friday. I wish I would finish them while I'm painting the canvas and everything is fresh in my mind!

More Progress!

Here’s more progress on the design for the Needlepoint Basket Purse.  I needlepointed the Scotch Stitch and Diagonal Scotch Stitch in two Vineyard Merino greens. The first step of the Staircase Stitch is pink and the second step is stitched in white Vineyard Merino. The first step of the Rice Stitch is dark aqua Vineyard Merino the second step yellow Silk Lame’ Braid. The light aqua Vineyard Merino is Basketweave Tent Stitch. The light green Silk Lame’ Braid is a compensated Mosaic stitch to fill in areas. The monogram is Mosaic Stitch. The overall design is coming together. I like the wool and slik combination.

Basketweave with the Grain 2

I wrote Basketweave with the Grain in late June. Since then I have been very conscience to needlepoint with the grain of the canvas and have been really pleased with the results. Last night I was stitching and thought I started out the correct way then I realized I was stitching against the grain. I finished up the little area wrong so I could show you the difference. I hope you can see why stitching with the grain of the canvas is important. 

 

Because the threads lay flat and smooth. (Left Side) They don't twist and bump up. (Right Side)

The canvas doesn't show through. (Left Side)

Poppy Plaid off to the Finisher!

PW05 Poppy Plaid Needlepoint is off to the Finisher! I took it to the framer yesterday. I don't usually do framed pieces, but I think this will be a good show and tell for different decorative stitches. I'm having it frame without glass so it can travel to shows with me.

More Sister Stitches

 

Poppy plaid progress

T Stitch Stitch (top)

Nobuko Stitch (bottom)

 

Diagonal Hungarian Ground Stitch (top)

Staircase Stitch (bottom)

 

Framed Stem Stitch (top)

Corduroy Stitch (bottom)

Sister Stitches

I'm using "sister" needlepoint decorative stitches for the Poppies. These are stitches that are similar but somewhat different.

 

Diagonal Scotch (bottom) -Moorish Stitch (top) stitched

 

Jacquard (top) -Byzantine (bottom) Stitch stitched

Mosaic Stripe Stitch

 

I'm packing every area of this canvas with decorative needlepoint stitches. (except the inside background which was stitched in basketweave) I want to show how decorative stitches can be used on any hand-painted needlepoint canvas. I wouldn't normally put 20+ decorative stitches in such a simple canvas. Or use so many thread colors. I've continued to use two colors for each stitch step. I'm hoping this makes it easier to see the stitch steps. This whole project is a learning tool. Hopefully I'm showing another way to look at the hand-painted needlepoint canvas. Each stitcher can look at their own canvas and say, "I'll try this stitch here". The Mosaic Stripe Stitch is my final stitch for the Poppy Plaid Needlepoint Pillow plaid border. I like the stripe effect and since it is technically a "box stitch" it ties into the other box stitches used in the border.

Mosaic Stripe Stitch

Stitch diagram:

Type: Box Stitch

Count: over 4

Pattern/Texture: Stripe pattern, medium texture

Ideal for: Focal points, borders and medium to large blocks of color

Overview: The Mosaic Stripe Stitch can be worked in either one or two colors. The stripe effect is more prominent when stitched in two colors.

Decorative Needlepoint Stitches

I have devoted much time and energy to learning, designing, teaching, painting, and writing about decorative needlepoint stitches. I was reading a blog, Needlepoint in the 21st Century, this morning about "this fascination everyone in my *needlepoint world* has with ever more difficult stitches." It really got me thinking about why I have dedicated a great deal of my design techniques and my blog to decorative stitches. Personally, I started stitching decorative stitches because I had a "need for speed". As a designer I needed finished samples to display at shows. I'm a one woman operation. Using decorative stitches helped me stitch canvases faster. The result of using decorative needlepoint stitches was the finished item looked more interesting. People asked questions, wanted to know what I did. The same result occurred when I used specialty threads. Most of all I was learning something new. I had a sense of accomplishment. I could needlepoint the exact same canvas as someone else and it would look different. It would be mine! My hope when designing a canvas is that each stitcher will make it their own by changing colors, choosing specialty threads and adding decorative stitches. In my opinion, needlepoint is decorative, enjoyable, creative and functional. Each canvas I design hopefully has each of these components. My business mission statement includes "uncomplicated, clear colors are easy to needlepoint for the novice or creatively embellish for the veteran stitcher." This morning I was going to post another decorative stitch completed on the Poppy Plaid border, but I had to stop and think why was I doing this? I do this because I want to pass on what I've learned and hopefully help someone else learn in a simple, straight forward way, too. I'll keep you posted as I continue to create hand-painted needlepoint featuring clear color, specialty threads, and decorative stitches.

Brick Cashmere Stitch

 

  

I decided to needlepoint the dark green areas of Poppy Plaid Needlepoint Pillow plaid border using the Brick Cashmere Stitch. I ripped out the Milanese Stitch and finished up with the Brick Cashmere Stitch using the darkest green and a contrasting medium, dark green. I'm glad I tried both decorative needlepoint stitches. I hate ripping out so much that sometimes I won't try new ideas. I think it has the desired effect. I'll know better when the entire border is finished.

Brick Cashmere Stitch

Stitch diagram:

 

Type: Box Stitch

Count: over 6

Pattern/Texture: rectangular, staggered box pattern/subtle texture

Ideal for: filling, background, geometric shapes

Overview: The Brick Cashmere Stitch is a staggered version of the Cashmere Stitch. It is often used for architectural elements. This is a dramatic striped stitch when needlepointed in two colors in a large area.

Decisions, Decisions

My next step is to decide on a decorative needlepoint for the dark green blocks on the Poppy Plaid Needlepoint Pillow plaid border. I'm working with a square block, 8 count by 8 count, and a rectangle block 8 count by 15 count. I can't really add a another line of continental stitches to the rectangle block to give me an even count because it would look odd in the middle. (See where I added a row of dark green to the inside, middle continental stitch border. Pictures below.) My choice is to find a decorative needlepoint stitch that will fit the area and where the compensation won't be too noticeable. First I tried the Milanese Stitch because the count was 8. I also thought the design of the stitch would coordinate with the Arrowhead Stitch in the corners.

The Milanese Stitch really needs more room, a larger space to be effective. The Arrowhead Stitch corners are stitched in light green and white so they don't really pick up the pattern of the Milanese Stitch.

Next I tried the Brick Cashmere Stitch which is a 6 count.

The count numbers are the minimum area needed for the stitch. Cashmere stitches are cousins to the Mosaic stitches which I used for the white border. I tried the Brick Cashmere Stitch in both areas a decided the compensation showed less with the Brick Cashmere Stitch than the Milanese Stitch. What do you think? Tonight I'll rip out and finish the dark green blocks.

Mosaic Checker Stitch

 

The Mosaic Checker Stitch seemed like a natural for the white portion of the Poppy Plaid Needlepoint Pillow plaid border. The white area was 4 count high and since I was going to needlepoint it in two colors a checker board effect would be created. I liked that idea! But when I counted over vertically the count was 31 over. 31 is not divisible by 4. I needed little groups of 4 for this stitch to work out properly. I could have done a "compensation stitch" in each area, but since this is such a geometric area I knew the compensation would really stick out. Instead I decided to add a row of dark green to the inside, middle continental stitch border. I did this in all four areas. When something is repeated in more than one area it helps your eye make sense of something. This changed my count to 30 and the Mosaic Checker Stitch fit completely.

Mosaic Checker Stitch

Stitch diagram:

Type: Box Stitch    

Count: over 4

Pattern/Texture: small box pattern, fine texture

Ideal for: backgrounds, borders, plaids, large and small areas

Overview: The Mosaic Checker Stitch is best worked in two colors. The stitch shape is lost when worked in one color. It can be worked horizontally or vertically. Stitch slant can be either left or right.

 

Poppy Plaid Background

I took a tip from Jane of Chilly Hollow and stitched all the background of Poppy Plaid. This will free me up to concentrate on the needlepoint decorative stitches. I've never done this before and really liked it especially now that I know how to Basketweave with the grain of the mesh!

 

Scotch Checker Stitch

 

1. Scotch Checker Stitch

Stitch diagram:

Type: Block Stitch

Count: over 3

Pattern/Texture: Checkerboard pattern, significant texture

Ideal for: large blocks of color. i.e. backgrounds, borders

Overview: This is a variation of the Scotch Stitch. It works well in one color as well as two. The stitch will have a more dramatic look when stitched in two colors. Stitch all of the Tent stitches in the area first, then fill in the alternating Scotch Stitches.

Tent Stitch

 

I started PW05 Poppy Plaid Needlepoint Pillow in the upper right-hand corner. This canvas has a border to "frame" the design, and quite a bit of background. I'm needlepointing the darkest green lines in Continental Tent Stitch. I had to add a stitched dark green line to the outside of the needlepoint canvas so the inside of the border would be even. (why I didn't painted it that way I'll never know?!?!) I'm stitching the inside the border background in Basketweave Tent Stitch with a bright white thread.

Tent Stitch (a. Continental)

Stitch diagram:

 

Type: Diagonal Stitch

Count: over 1

Pattern/Texture: minimum diagonal pattern, nominal texture

Ideal for: very small areas and outlines

Overview: Continental Tent Stitch is not recommended for large areas as it will distort the canvas. This distortion may not be able to be blocked out. It provides good coverage on both the front and back of canvas. Continental Tent Stitch can be stitched , horizontally, vertically, and diagonally.

 

Tent Stitch (b. Basketweave)

Stitch diagram:

Type: Diagonal Stitch

Count: over 1

Pattern/Texture: minimum diagonal pattern, smooth, nominal texture

Ideal for: large areas of color

Overview: The most popular basic stitch used in needlepoint. Provides good coverage on both the front and back of canvas without distortion. It is worked diagonally descending, then upward with the grain of the canvas.

 

Basketweave with the Grain

Finally!!! I learned how to basketweave tent stitch with the grain of the canvas. It is really embarrassing to admit that I didn't do this before. I didn't know how. It wasn't for lack of trying or being taught. My great friend Jean tried a couple of times to teach me how to properly needlepoint the basketweave stitch with the grain, but I couldn't "see" it. I'm a "hurry up" kind of gal and didn't really get why it mattered. I was researching stitches so I would be able to write more extensively about each stitch and I was going to skip the tent stitches all together because I figured everyone knew how to stitch them. Then I thought I better include them and started reading the research. Why stitch with the grain of the canvas? Because the threads lay flat and smooth. They don't twist up and the canvas doesn't show through. I always stopped in the middle of a diagonal row so I did know where to start up again, but if I stopped at the top or bottom of a diagonal row it was a pure guess where to start. Sometimes I would get those ridges on the back and hope they didn't show too much on the front. Now I'm ridge free! Here are two pictures that I hope show what I couldn't "see" for so long:

If the needlepoint canvas mesh thread is vertical on top, stitch down the diagonal row. Vertical = Slide Down

If the needlepoint canvas mesh thread is horizontal on top, stitch up the diagonal row. Horizontal = Step Up

The needle is in the canvas showing the proper direction. I hope this helps anyone that was as confused as me!

Ladybug Beads Added

 

I added beads to fill in the open parts in the Hungarian Cross Stitch. The top part of the picture is with the beads added, the bottom part of the picture is the stitch as it is shown in the diagram. I think the beads give this simple design a little more depth. Next to the canvas is the "Tacky Bob". This needlepoint tool is a MUST when using beads. Your local needlepoint shop should have them. The Ladybug is off to the finisher. I'm going to have the canvas put in a small tote bag. I'll post when it returns!

Ladybug Corduroy Stitch

 

The tail of the Ladybug is the Corduroy Stitch. This is a great stripy stitch.

Ladybug Criss Cross Hungarian Stitch

 

Here is a close up of the Criss Cross Hungarian Stitch. I love the look of this needlepoint stitch. It looks like it was woven. The thing I don't really like is the empty canvas showing through. This is part of the stitch. My plan is to put beads over the empty mesh threads. I'll keep you posted! 

Ladybug Progress

I’ve made a little progress on my needlepoint Ladybug. I’ve stitched the background in the Nobuko Stitch with two colors of green Vineyard Merino. I’m going for kind of a grassy effect.

Painted Stitch Sampler Class

 

I taught my second installment of my Painted Stitch Sampler Class at Wool & Willow last night. “Simple, fun, and colorful Painted Stitch Sampler is surefire way to learn decorative stitches and expand your needlepoint knowledge! The canvas is uniquely created to highlight each stitch step! You will learn 12 decorative stitches, adapting them to specific areas, on this 6” x 6” canvas on #14 mesh. We will be stitching with 14 Vineyard Silk Classic Colors threads. Information pack including 2 step color stitch diagrams and letter chart will be included.” It was a great group and lots of fun!!

Pink Tropical Fish

 

Margaret, Stitch With Me blog, has been making great progress with the Pink Tropical Fish. Click on her blog above to see and the description of the beautiful background stitch the Staircase Stitch. Usually I only get to see what I needlepoint come to life. This is a real treat! Here’s the Pink Tropical Fish companion Blue Tropical Fish!

Knot much progress

I started painting my Knot Garden needlepoint canvas this weekend. So far I have a middle area consisting of Criss Cross Hungarian Stitch, Moorish Stitch and Jacquard Stitch. You can see through the canvas the Knot Garden plan I’m trying to follow.