Grab-n-Go Stitches is a handy little on-the-go stitch book by the Lone Star Chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild. It’s a humdingerdoozy of a volume that’s chock full of more than 450 stitch illustrations that you can use for your needlepoint projects. A terrific addition to your needlepoint library for sure – but there’s something you need to know…
the stitch illustrations don’t have numbers, so there’s no explicit path to follow when you’re stitching. That’s not a problem for stitchers who have experience using canvas embroidery stitches on their projects, but it can be a real mind-boggler for anyone who’s new to the world of decorative stitches – and to those who don’t know about needlepoint stitch pathways.
Speaking of needlepoint stitch pathways…
if you’re not sure what a needlepoint stitch pathway is, then you’re not alone. That’s why I have a couple of blog posts about this “obscure” topic. Click here and here to hop over and read more about the different stitch pathways and how to identify them. But be sure and read to the end of this post first! I have a fun surprise waiting for you there. 😉 Now, back to Grab-n-Go Stitches.
There are six stitch illustrations on a page in Grab-n-Go Stitches.
You’ll notice, too, that the stitch illustrations don’t have names. The editors’ suggestion is to refer to each stitch by its position on the page. For example, there’s a variation of the Lazy Roman II stitch on page 7. It sits on the middle row in the left column of page 7, so you refer to it as 7ML. Make sense? The logic behind not providing names for the stitches is solid because, as you may already know, stitch names can be wildly inconsistent.
Another thing I L-O-V-E about this little book is…
that the individual stitches in each stitch illustration are left “open”. I think that’s a brilliant move – and it’s one that I may “borrow” from time to time. 😉 The reasoning here is golden! You see, this one little “feature” enables the owner of the book to make photocopies of the pages so he/she can color a stitch with markers or pencils – to get an idea of what that stitch would look like in varying color combinations.
Grab-n-Go Stitches has a very rational organization, too.
The stitch illustrations are categorized by how they “read”. So, what does that mean? Great question! Let me define what I mean by how a stitch “reads”. When you work a stitch in a repeating pattern and then look at it, it will lead your eye in a particular direction – or, in some cases, no direction.
And that’s how the stitches in this book are grouped…
- Stitches That Read Straight
- Stitches That Read Diagonal
- Stitches That Read Oblique
There are also a few pages of stitches that fall under these classifications…
- Leaf Stitches
- Laid Fillings
- Blackwork
- Darning Patterns
- Lagniappe (and you know I looooove me some lagniappe!)
The editors include several interesting – and very useable – tips on how to “mirror” and “flip” stitches, too.
I consider this a “must-have” book for every stitcher’s library.
And I didn’t receive a complimentary copy, so you can rest assured that I’m not speaking from bias. 😉
Publishing any book is a tremendous undertaking and I admire the members of the Lone Star Chapter of ANG for their diligence and dedication. Well done, my friends!
So to celebrate their accomplishment, I have a copy of Grab-n-Go Stitches that I’m giving away in a drawing!
*UPDATE: This Giveaway has ended.
All you need to do to enter is tell us your favorite canvas embroidery stitch in the comments box below. It would be fun to know your favorite way to use that stitch, too, if you want to share it. 😉
I’ll announce the winner on Friday inside the Serendipity Needleworks Facebook Page.
Alrighty – that’s all for now, my friend! Don’t forget to share your favorite decorative stitch with me in the comments below and have a splendiferous day!
XOXO!!! ❤️
PS: Are you on our Serendipity Needleworks NeedleNotes list? That’s where we share tips, ideas, events, and cheer each other on and I’d love to have you join me, so click here to subscribe. I’ll see you there! 😉
I like gobelin stitch as it can be used in so many different ways;
Ooooh – good one, Christine! And you’re so, so right. Gobelin stitch is very versatile! In fact, it’s probably one of the most “stitcher friendly” stitches there is. 😉 Thank you for sharing with me.
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
I like the scotch stitch and all its many variations and combinations! I use it often for borders.
Great choice, Jane! I like that one, too. In fact, I used it in the border for “Jingle”, the retreat canvas at my Jingle in July retreat last summer. Thank you for taking the time to share your favorite stitch with me.
XOXO! ❤️
Ellen
My favorite stitch is Nobuko and I am also very fond of doing Jessicas
I love Jessicas, too, Chris! They’re just so darn cute… 😉
And while it took me some time to wrap my head around the Nobuko stitch when I first started using decorative stitches, it’s another favorite of mine. I especially like it for backgrounds. 🙂
Thank you for taking the time to share your favorite stitches with me.
XOXO!❤️
Ellen
Right now my favorite stitch is … OLD FLORENTINE … I enjoy the look in backgrounds ,plus it feels good when I’m stitching ….
Love that one, too, Cassandra! Gee – I’m not sure I’m gonna be able to pick a true fave. 😉
Florentine really is soothing to stitch… it’s very rhythmic. I like it for water and sky, too.
Thank you for taking the time to share your favorite stitch with me, Cassandra!
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
My favorite is the Nobuko stitch easy to compensate and versatile. I love it for backgrounds have used it on Christmas stocking background and then the short stitch I use a sparkly fiber.
Great choice, Diane! It’s one of my faves, too! Thank you for taking the time to share it with me here.
I think everyone should know how to execute the Nobuko stitch. Maybe I should add that one to the Serendipity Needleworks YouTube Channel?
What do you think?
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
Ellen,
I think that would be terrific to feature this beautiful versatile stitch on the Serendipity Needleworks YouTube Channel.
🙂
I’ll put it on the “to-do” list, then. Thanks, Diane! 🙂
XOXO!❤️
Ellen
I enjoy the mosaic stitch, and all the variations that can be done for different effects within a canvas design.
Great choice, Mary! I’m surprised that you’re the first person to choose the mosaic stitch as their favorite. It’s a terrific little stitch! I ❤️ it so, sooo much! And you’re spot-on about it being so adaptable – especially when you take into consideration all of the combination stitches that it’s part of. 😉
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your favorite stitch here with me!
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
I’m going to try again ????
My favorite stitch is Nobuko a very versatile stitch . I love it for backgrounds I have used it for a couple of Christmas stockings and the short stitch used a sparkle fiber to make it looks like stars. Also great for clothing.
Hi Diane!
You’re so awesome! Thank you for taking the time to post your favorite stitch here. I was out of pocket all day yesterday with Rebekah and didn’t have time to respond to the later comments. That’s why you didn’t see your comment go live before now. I’m so sorry about that. (I should’ve told y’all that I have the comments set for me to approve them before they go live. It’s set up that way to keep spammers at bay.)
so, I ❤️ the Nobuko stitch, too! And for all the terrific reasons that you listed. Please post a picture of one of your projects (where you used it) over in the Facebook group if it’s not too much trouble.
And have a wonderful Wednesday!
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
Hi Ellen,
When I get a chance I will post a picture of a Christmas Stocking where my background was using the Nobuko Stitch.
Diane
Ooooh – that would be terrific, Diane! Thank you so much!!!
XOXO!
Ellen❤️
I like diagonal scotch for a fast background. It covers well.
Terrific choice, Ellie! Diagonal Scotch is a terrific stitch!!! And you’re right – it makes a wonderful background. It’s fun for Santa’s coat, too – especially when you reverse the slant of the stitches on each side of the coat to make them look symmetrical. Yep – I’m a “balance” kinda gal… 😉 (tee hee!)
Thank you for sharing your favorite stitch with me here.
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
My all time favorite stitch is the Nobuko , easy to compensate and very versatile . I have used this stich on 2 Christmas stockings for the background and the short stitch I used a sparkle fiber. It gave it the look of a starry night. I have also used it on clothes and sky for movement. Love the stitch !!!
Love, LOVE, L-O-V-E the Nobuko stitch, Diane!!! Thank you for taking the time to share it with me here.
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
I am so taken with bargello. The possibilities are endless (as long as you can keep your place!).
Hi Kristin!
Thank you so much for sharing your favorite stitch with me here on the blog. I, too, love bargello. In fact, I have a couple of projects for quick holiday gifts in my queue. 😉
And you’re not the only one who ❤️’s bargello. It’s great to see this fun technique experiencing a resurgence in popularity. Can’t wait to see one of your projects. Please post a picture inside the Serendipity Needleworks Facebook group, if it’s not too much trouble.
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
French Knots are one of my favorite stitches. It is a very versatile stitch that can be used for bushes, trees, flowers, clothing, hats, etc
Ahhhh – my beloved French knot gets another vote. 🙂
And Susie, thank you for sharing how you like to use them. My ears always perk up when people share how they use different stitches… it always sparks oodles of ideas for me. 😉
XOXO!❤️
Ellen
My favorite stitch is whichever one I’m working on, because stitching is always better than not stitching. The one I pop into almost every canvas is Nobuko, especially for skies. The one(s) I save up for little rewards are Jessicas and any kind of eyelet.
Hahaha… I’m with you, Deborah! Stitching is most definitely always better than not stitching. 😉
Nobuko is a terrific “go-to” stitch since it has so many varied applications. And I ❤️ that you use Jessicas and eyelets for “rewards” to yourself. That’s a fun way to approach your projects.
Thank you for taking the time to share those faves with me here.
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
I actually have two favorite stitches that I love to do. First there is the Criss Cross Hungarian. the variation of the Hungarian stitch and the up right cross, a bead or cross stitch. My second favorite stitch is of course the up right cross. Yes this Jewish person love the look of the texture both stitches gives to a needlepoint canvas. The upright cross works so well in small spaces and how beautiful the Criss cross hungarian stitch is just so spectatular in side a pattern or as a background stitch.
Leanne, I L-O-V-E your faves! Those are such beautiful stitches and you’re right – they add oodles of texture and visual interest to a canvas. The upright cross is a fun stitch for treetops, shrubbery, wreaths, etc., too. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your favorite stitches with me here – and for your very thoughtful insights.
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
I love brick stitch. Versatile. Textured. Lots of applications. Rhythmic to stitch.
Hi there, Carol!
You’re so right about the brick stitch. It’s another one of those workhorse stitches that has a myriad of uses. Brick stitch was one of the first canvas embroidery stitches I learned and I continue to use it over and over again. Easy to compensate, small, fun to work – all of those things make it a winner-winner-chicken-dinner in my book. 😉
Thank you for taking the time to share your fave with me here.
XOXO!
Ellen❤️
I’m fond of ‘rhythmic’ stitches like byzantine and bargello. One of these days I want to do a bargello piece to cover a footstool! 🙂
Hi Sue!
I totally agree with you about the rhythm of bargello and Byzantine being hypnotic… and I love that you already have a “plan” in place for a project using your favorite stitch. Do you have colors in mind? Why not start sooner rather than later? Like they say, there’s no time like the present. 🙂
Thank you for taking the time to share your favorite stitches with me here. I really appreciate it and I hope I see a picture of a new bargello project over in the Serendipity Needleworks Facebook group soon… 😉
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
I wish I could choose two! But for only one …. French knots! I’ve found many places to use them, from sheep to flowers to beards and hair. And I think they’re fun to make. (And colonial knots too.)
A gal after my own heart! French knots are probably my all-time fave stitch, too. Although, like you, I have a hard time choosing just one. 😉
French knots are perfect for all of the places you mentioned above, Cindy. Thank you for taking the time to share your favorite stitch with me here.
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
My favorite is the tartan stitch. On the front it looks as if you worked from a chart, but you actually use skip stitches in one pass, then fill in the blanks on a second pass. This gives you a dense piece that will wear really well. I use it with Stitch ‘n Zip blank cosmetic bags for relatively quick gifts. You can reproduce historic tartans, or make up your own. I’ve made up 4 for friends – two coin purses and two cosmetic bags. It’s a little confusing at first, but goes pretty quickly once you get the knack. I’ll post a couple of pictures.
Great idea for gifting, Anne! Thank you so much for sharing it with us. And your timing is perfect right here at the beginning of the holiday season. Your pictures are awesome!!!
Thank you, sweet friend!
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
I like a lot of stitches but right now I’m enjoying all things brick…. large, small vertical or horizontal ????♀️????
Hi Kim!
I love, Love, L-O-V-E that your favorite stitch is the brick stitch. Several other people have posted it as their favorite, too! Thank you for taking the time to share it with me here. And you’re so right – it has oodles of uses and applications.
An all-around awesome little stitch…
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
I love nobuko! I am using it for an sloths fur right now!
Oooooh – that sounds F-U-N, Michelle! I love the Nobuko stitch, too. It’s one of those workhorse stitches that every stitcher needs to have in their “stitch arsenal”. 😉
Can’t wait to see your sloth – please share a pic over in the Facebook group. And thank you for taking the time to share your favorite stitch with me here. 🙂
XOXO!
Ellen❤️
I love the brick stitch. Pretty basic but I’m still new at this. Thank you for all the handy tips. Love the blog!
Thank you, Diane! I ❤️ the brick stitch, too! Great choice…
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
I love Brick Stitch. Easy-Peary and gives interest to a canvas.
Hooray! Another vote for brick stitch! Thank you for sharing your favorite stitch with us, Harriett.
You’re right – it’s easy peasy, but it’s a terrific option for so many different situations.
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
I like the Brick Stitch. Pretty simple but I’m still new at this. Thank you for sharing all the tips. Love your blog!
Hi Diane!
The brick stitch is a terrific stitch to have as a favorite! It’s incredibly versatile and it fits in all kinds of spaces. Thank you for taking the time to share your favorite stitch with me – and for your kind words. I’m so glad you enjoy reading the blog and I’m tickled to have you in the Serendipity family.
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
I thought I posted my favorite yesterday, but maybe that was just on Facebook where I put pictures. My favorite is the tartan stitch, also called Chotties Plaid. You can create your own tartan or reproduce an established one based on the thread pattern (called a sett). Essentially you establish one set of stripes using a sort of skip stitch, then turn your canvas 90 degrees and make a second set of stripes that fill in the blanks. It’s a little confusing at first, but not difficult once you get the hang of it.
You’re in the right place, Anne. Plaids are super-fun to stitch. I’ve only done a couple of them, but I’m definitely hooked. 😉
And I ❤️ the pictures you shared in The Stitcher’s Club Facebook group and in the Serendipity Needleworks Facebook group! Thank you so much! 🙂
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
Diagonal mosaic – loved how it looks in Jingle, will use in the smaller snowman i bought
Actually learning so many new stitches, can’t remember all the names, love to experiment.
Hi Jeri!
Thank you so much for sharing your favorite stitch here with me. You know I L-O-V-E the diagonal mosaic stitch, too! In fact, I use it quite often. I especially like it for backgrounds – and snowmen. 😉
Can’t wait to see your other snowman… please share a picture when you start stitching him. 🙂
XOXO!
Ellen❤️
My favorite stitch is the Van Dyke.I especially like how this stitch looks in rows or columns. When I use Neon Rays and of course a laying tool, the stitch makes a V and has a sheen that adds a great texture.
Great choice, Susan! Thank you for taking the time to share it with me here on the blog.
I’ve never tried the Van Dyke stitch with Neon Rays – I’ll have to give it a whirl… 😉
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
Like the brick , mosaic and scotch stitches. Hard to pick just one. I see so many that have been done and want to try them all
I know what you mean, Laraine! I have a hard time choosing just one, too. 😉
All of those you listed are wonderful options for favorites stitches, though.
Thank you for taking the time to share them with me here.
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
I love the mosaic stitch and have used it many times if I just want to add something different. French knots are also a favorite since I’ve been doing them since I was six.
Ooooh – I ❤️ French knots, too, Linda! And the mosaic stitch is a terrific choice, as well. It’s hard to go wrong with either of those stitches.
Thank you for taking the time to share them with me here.
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
Basketweave is my default, but for water I love Nobuko. I used it for a picture of my friend and her rowing partner, winning a race on a lake: the skiff took up the whole width of the canvas, so for the upper part – the distant water – I used Single Nobuko, alternating. And for the foreground I did the same with Double Nobuko, alternating. It really looked wet!
There’s nothing wrong with basketweave for a favorite stitch, Deborah! I ❤️ it, too!!! In fact, I always have a basketweave-only project going.
Your project for your friend sounds fabulous! And kudos to you for incorporating perspective in your stitching by changing the stitches up just a little bit for the water. Great job!!! By the way, I really like Nobuko for water, too, and have used it many, many times. 😉
Thank you for sharing your faves here with me.
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
Cashmere – i like it because it is structural. I try to put it into every piece somewhere that I stitch. If you round the corners it looks like cobblestones for a path.
First vote for cashmere stitch – hooray! Thank you Mary! 🙂
And what a cool idea to round the corners. I’ll have to give that a try. Thank you for sharing your favorite stitch with me here – and for that terrific tip!
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
I love Bargello and how beautiful the stitch, along with colors of the thread make a lovely outcome. However there are so many beautiful stitches that help create a great project. Choosing the right ones is the difficult part..
Hi Carol!
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your favorite stitch with me. Bargello is AWESOME!!! And I agree – it can be very daunting to choose the right stitches for your projects. I’m so glad you’re a member of The Stitcher’s Club! I have a brand new “roadmap” that I’ll be sharing with y’all very soon – one that will give you the structure you need to become a master at choosing the best stitches and threads for all of your canvases. Keep an eye out for more info coming soon in your Weekly Updates and inside The Stitcher’s Club Facebook group. 😉
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
I hope this is considered a decorative stitch- my favorite stitch for backgrounds is the t stitch
Absolutely, Andrea! I ❤️ the t-stitch, too! It’s such a versatile little stitch – and very easy to compensate. 😉
Thank you for taking the time to share your favorite with me here.
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
I love the stitch Woven (Woven Plait). I use it for clothing, frosting on a cake, hats etc. Very decorative and works well for small places on a canvas.
What wonderful ideas for using the woven/woven plait stitch, Lutricia! Thank you for sharing them with me here. I also like to use it for baskets and Santa’s sack. 😉
Have a happy day!
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
Choosing a favorite stitch?! That’s like choosing a favorite child!! 😉 A few of my favorites: Parisian for backgrounds, I feel it just flies by; Diagonal Scotch, for giving the feeling of movement, Criss Cross Hungarian (with beads!) for angel wings, and of course, Basketweave, for when life is a bit crazy and hectic, it is so meditative and calming!
Hahaha…. Lorraine, you’re too funny! All of your “favorite stitch children” are among my faves, too. Thank you for taking the time to share them with me here.
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
I’ve recently used Victorian Stairstep in a couple of projects and I am in love with the look of it. In one I used it vertically and in the other I used it horizontally. It is fun to do, and easy to compensate.
Great choice, Julie! Thank you for sharing it with me here. Victorian Stairstep is a lovely stitch and it doesn’t get pulled out and put to work nearly enough, in my opinion. Kudos to you for making it your own!
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
I love the Smyrna stitch for flowers!
Ooooh – me, too, Anne Marie! And I ❤️ how it looks in your recent “finish”. Thank you for taking the time to share your favorite stitch with me here.
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
I like the Scotch stitch and it’s versatility.
Me, too, Nancy! I’m surprised it hasn’t gotten more “votes” for favorite stitch. But hey – there are so, so many to choose from, I guess that’s to be expected, right? 😉
Thank you for taking the time to share your fave here with me.
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
My ‘newest’ favorite stitch is the Victorian cross stitch. I love it because it gives great coverage if your canvas color and thread color don’t match …and, it’s thicker, so it’s great for a simple background with a slightly raised look.
That’s a terrific choice, Joy! Are you, by chance, an Elizabeth Bradley fan? All of her kits are designed to be worked in Victorian cross-stitch. 😉
Victorian cross-stitch is incredibly durable, too, so it’s a really good option if you’re stitching a canvas for a footstool.
Thank you for sharing your fave stitch with me here – and have a happy day!
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
I love nobuko. You can double and triple for a whole new look.
Hi Janice!
Nobuko is an awesome stitch! And you’re so very right about how doubling and tripling it really shakes things up. 😉 Thank you for taking the time to share your fave stitch with me here.
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
My favorite stitches are Nobuko & t-stitch. Love to use t-stitch as background.
Ooooh – those are both terrific choices, Cheryl! Thank you for sharing them with me here. T-stitch is one of my favorite background stitches, too.
Have a fabulous Friday!
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
I love the T-stitch for quiet, unobtrusive backgrounds. So often I have a canvas where I don’t want the background to overwhelm the subjects ‘in the front’. I love how the effect can be altered just by using different numbers of thread plies. My other all-time favortie is Nobuko. I’ve used it for many places and recently learned it comes in other variations – something new to try!
Hi Leslie!
T-stitch is an awesome stitch to have for a “fave”. I ❤️it, too! And, well, you just can’t beat good ole’ Nobuko. 😉
Thank you for sharing your favorite stitch(es) with me here.
Happy Friday!
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
I love French knots as they can be used in every sized canvas, from the smallest Christmas ornament to a giant piece. It also doesn’t require intense concentration. I have one piece that is all basketweave except for some French knots and just that small amount makes the piece.
Very well said, Ann! And you know how I LOVE French knots, too. They’re the “cherry on top” for me. 😉
Thank you for sharing your fave stitch with me here.
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
So many stitches – so little time. Seeing all the possible stitches gets overwhelming to me – especially seeing all that people are doing / using. Sooo in head-crisis mode I go to the basketweave or a skipped Bw stitch gets me back on track.
You’re right, Julie. There are literally hundreds and hundreds of canvas embroidery stitches that you can use on your needlepoint canvases, but I’m here to help. I can hardly wait for you and the other members of The Stitcher’s Club to see the new website in January. Squeeeee!!!
By the way, basketweave is always a “winner-winner-chicken-dinner” in my book! 😉
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me here.
Have a fabulous Friday!
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
One of my favorite stitches is cashmere. Easy and fast to work.
Hi there, Melissa!
Thank you for sharing your fave stitch with me here. I ❤️cashmere stitch, too – so very “stitcher friendly”. 😉
Have a fabulous Friday, my friend!
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
Hi Ellen: I am practicing a new stitch for me called “Shadow” from Stitches to Go book on page 38. I am doing two rows of this as a border to my vintage Tiger Eye canvas.
One of my very favorite stitches is NOBUKO, which I learned in a Thread Adventure a while ago. And, I am looking forward to learning JESSICAS from you! Thank you.
–Pamela
Hi Pamela!
I, too, really like the Nobuko stitch. It’s one of those “workhorse” stitches that I find myself using over and over again. I’ll have to check out “Shadow”… it’s not ringing a bell right now. Thank you for sharing that with us. 🙂
Have a lovely day, my friend!
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
I am too new to needlepoint to have a favorite stitch but I have enjoyed using interlocking Gobelin, diagonal Hungarian (Santa’s robe) and the diagonal knitting stitch (Santa’s hat).
Hi Suzy!
It sounds like your quite the adventurer if you’re new to needlepoint. Congratulations on trying your hand at decorative stitches. Those stitches you shared are some of my “go-to” stitches. In fact, I think you’ve created yourself a good little arsenal for yourself. 😉
Thank you for taking the time to share with me.
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
My favorite stitch is a new one I just learned—the Rya stitch. I’m going to use it on a stocking which has a tea party and cake—on the cake with Arctic Rays (if it works) or with Fuzzy Stuff with a blending filament for shimmer. And then plop red drop beads onto for cherries! I’m also toying with using it on a stocking cuff as background for the name. Will have to doodle first to see if I like it!
Hi Dana!
Thank you so much for sharing your favorite stitch here with me. I L-O-V-E making Rya knots, too!!! They’re addictive. 😉 You did such an amazing job with them on your Jingle canvas, too. 🙂
Can’t wait to see your doodle canvas for your stocking…
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
I like the scotch stitch. If I want to do something that gives me an easy pace that is what I go to.
Yay!!! Another vote for the Scotch stitch. Thank you for taking the time to share your fave here with me, Cherri.
Have a happy Friday and a wonderful weekend…
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
Brick stitch because it is easy to compensate with!❤️
Love it, Sandy! 😉
I can’t think of a better reason to love a stitch. 🙂
Thank you for sharing your fave here with me.
XOXO!
Ellen❤️
Hi Ellen and happy Friday. My favorite stitch is a French knot. It is so versatile: flowers, hair, jewelry, animals, beards and the list goes on. I also love that the knot takes on a different look depending on the thread: variegated, metallic, velvet, cotton or silk/wool. The knot may also look different depending on the stitchers tension. Finally, although it takes more time to stitch, the final result is worth it!
Happy Friday to you, too, Karen!
You’re a gal after my own heart! I love French knots, too. 🙂 And I’m now a big fan of colonial knots. 😉
All of those design components you mentioned are perfect places to use them… now I’m wanting to go and stitch some! (tee hee!)
Thank you for taking the time to share your favorite stitch with me here and have a fantabulous weekend!
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
Encroached gobelin for animals. It is the best.
Terrific choice, Nancy! Thank you for sharing it with me here. It’s such a versatile stitch, but you’re right, it’s AWESOME for animals.
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
I like stitches that are open work as that helps getting the canvas done faster and the variety of stitches make the project more interesting than every hole filled
Hi Susan!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me here. I agree 110% about how quickly you can get a piece finished when you use openwork stitches. 😉
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
I think my favorite background stitch would be a simple Bordello. I have not done Needlepoint in many years, am looking to start again.
Hi DeEtte!
I’m so happy to hear that you’d like to pick up needlepoint again. That’s terrific news! I love bargello for backgrounds, too. 😉
Thank you for taking the time to share your favorite stitch with me here and please reach out if you have any questions.
XOXO!
Ellen❤️
I love Reversed Mosaic Stitch – so versatile
One of my faves, too, El! Thank you for sharing it with me here.
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
My favorite stitch is Byzantine because I can make it long or short, wide or narrow. My second favorite is mosaic because I like the boxy look.
Ooooh – two of my favorites, too Elizabeth! Thank you for taking the time to share them with me here.
XOXO!
Ellen ❤️
I love to use a brick stitch. It is easy to compensate, and can be vertical or horizontal.
Hi Chris!
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me. You’re so right! Brick stitch is an awesome stitch. It’s one of my faves, too. 😉
Have a terrific rest of your Tuesday!
XOXO!
Ellen