The 2020 Stitch Challenge is in the books. Well, almost in the books. (We still have prizes to award… squeeee!!!) More than 600 stitchers participated and it was a B L A S T!! (If you’re not sure what the Stitch Challenge is, click here to read more about it.) The short version is that I shared 16 canvas embroidery stitches you can use on your needlepoint canvases to add texture and visual interest to them.
You really ought to check out the amazing pictures that stitchers are still posting on social media. To do a search, just type one of these hashtags – #serendipityneedleworks or #serendipitystitchchallenge – in the search bar on either Facebook or Instagram and oodles of pictures will magically pop up. The creative use of threads is over the top!
And now we’re switching gears and getting ready for Stitch Guides Made Simple LIVE!™
My brand new workshop is happening on October 17th and I can hardly wait!! It’s gonna be A W E S O M E!!!
So, in celebration of a successful Stitch Challenge in eager expectation for a wonderful workshop, I’m going to share something I think is very apropos…
ANOTHER STITCH!!!
Actually, make that two stitches. 😉
This first stitch is the bonus stitch from the Stitch Challenge.
It’s the serendipity stitch.
No, I can’t take credit for creating it, but it has an extra special place in my stitch repertoire – and my heart. 🙂
Here’s the diagram for you…
Use this delightful stitch for these different design components on your needlepoint canvases…
- baskets
- beaches
- bird nests
- clothing
- paths
- patterned rugs
- Santa’s bag
- Santa’s long fancy robe
- shrubs
- thatched rooftops
- tile floors
- walls
- wicker furniture
And the other stitch I want to share with you today is…
kind of a “kissing cousin” to the serendipity stitch. In fact, when you look at these two stitches, side by side, you’ll see the similarity between them right away.
Both have a Hungarian stitch variation in their composition. So which stitch am I talking about?
None other than the criss-cross Hungarian stitch, of course!
Here’s the diagram for you…
And you can use the criss-cross Hungarian stitch for these design components on your needlepoint projects…
- angel wings
- animals
- animal blankets (think camels and horses)
- architectural details
- baskets
- clothing
- cobblestones
- quilts
- rooftops
- treetops
- sand
- Santa’s bag
- Santa’s sleigh
- shrubbery
Choosing threads to go with these stitches is just one of the things we’ll be talking about in my workshop on October 17th. There’s still plenty of time to sign up and I’d love to have you join me. Click here to get more information.
Oh – and before you go, have you ever used either of these stitches on one of your needlepoint canvases? If you have, I’d love to hear how! Please tell me in the comments box below. 😉
Alrighty, my friend. That’s all for now.
Until next time, happy stitching…
XOXO!!
Hi Ellen,
I enjoyed your very instructional lesson today – 9/21/2024 about making a plan before starting to stitch. I have been looking at your blog — what is the name of the stitch in the picture at the top of the entry from Oct 8, 2020, which talks about Celebrating stitches? Are those french knots between the alternating vertical and horizontal stitches?
Hi Priscilla 🙂
I’m so glad you enjoyed the Needlepoint Stitch Guide Workshop. It was a joy to share my framework with everyone.
The stitch you’re asking about is the criss-cross Hungarian stitch. And yes, they are French knots, although you can use cross stitches between the slanted stitches, as well as attach beads there, too. Thank you for joining me for the workshop and for visiting my blog. Please let me know if I can answer any questions about Stitch Guide Formula for you. I’m happy to help.
XOXO!
Ellen