New Stitch Monday With a Twist – Week 3

Continuing on my journey of learning 11 new stitches for the Raymond Crawford “Needlepoint” canvas I found a fun stitch for the second letter “E”.  The Upright Oriental stitch was just perfect.  I used 4 stands of Splendor S1074 for the main part of the stitch (shown light blue) and then added Neon Rays N116 for the accent lines (shown dark blue).

There have been discussions about how far to take your vertical stitches.  I take them right to the edge because when I don’t it looks to me as if I skipped a stitch or two.  Some stitchers don’t like a crowed look.  It your personal choice.

When using Neon Rays or and type of ribbon it is a good idea to use a laying tool to help keep it flat.  Try to use a laying tool that does not have a sharp point because it can catch on the ribbon and make a pull.  Another trick is to use a small flat iron and run the ribbon through it.  Of course I’m sure you all know where to order one from.

Another idea for this stitch would be to use an over-dyed thread for the main section and a solid thread for the accent lines.

For those of you who are participating in the 21 New Stitches for the 2021 Challenge I hope you can add this stitch and the other 2 that I wrote about over the last 3 weeks.

Give them a try!

Happy Stitching – Stephanie

New Stitch Monday – With a Twist – Week 2

I am having a lot of fun looking through all of my books for stitches I have never used.  I found some great stiches that I will use for “D” & “I” but we are only up to the yellow “E” this week on Raymond Crawford’s “Needlepoint” canvas.

I tried the Victorian Step with Oblique Cross Stitch.    For the Victorian Step I used 4 strands of Gloriana 092 (Lucky Old Sun) and Entice E-218 for the Oblique stitches.   If your canvas is 13 count you would use 6 strands of the Gloriana.   These are only my thread suggestions and can be replaced with your favorite threads.

I find it easier to set up the base line for the Victorian Step in a spot where I can get the longest line.  Once you have established that line it will be easy to follow the pattern and work the compensation stitches.  When you have completed that add the Oblique Cross Stitches.

I really liked the way the stitch look.  Give it a try!

Happy Stitching – Stephanie

I thought I would add a twist to the usual New Stitch Monday.  I purchased this Raymond Crawford canvas not really knowing what I was going to do with it.  I thought I would have it attached to a tote but I already made 3 or 4 of them and that’s not counting the other 10 or more totes I already have.   As I was looking at it, I came up with the idea to only use stitches I have never done before for each letter.  Then I decided I would put it in a Lucite tray and use it to hold the threads while I am working on one of my current projects.   Now I had a purpose.

Starting with the first letter “N” I tried the Cameo stitch.  I used 4 strands of Splendor #978 for the Double Hungarian stitches shown in orange on the diagram.  If your canvas is 13 count you would use 6 strands.  For the Elongated Cross stitches, I used Neon Rays N83 shown yellow on the diagram.  For the accent stitches I used Neon Rays Plus NP83 shown pink on the diagram.

If you have this canvas and want to work along with me, I will introduce a new stitch for the next 11 weeks.  Knowing me, I will most likely just Tent stitch the areas in between the letters.   For those interested in purchasing this canvas please contact the shop by calling (201) 612-7770 or by sending an e-mail to stitches@ridgewoodneedlepoint.com.  The canvas # is HO 2066 and it comes in 13 or 18 count.

Come along for the ride!

Happy Stitching – Stephanie