Summertime means vacation time…

and trips to the beach. This week, we’re gonna take a peek at a stitch that you can use for sandy beaches on your needlepoint canvases. Of course, you can use it for other design components, too. What stitch is it? Keep reading to find out.

I get a lot of requests for help with this stitch. And it’s really not that difficult, once you see the pattern broken down into steps. There’s a special place in my heart for it, too. Can you guess why? (tee hee!)

I think it’s a terrific choice for the beach on this cutie-pie Charley Harper canvas by The Meredith Collection…

The serendipity stitch is actually a composite stitch.

What’s a composite stitch? Great question!

It’s when two different stitches combine to create a pattern – like that one you see in the stitch diagram above.

You can identify those two different stitches more easily in the next two diagrams I’m sharing with you here.

This first stitch diagram shows the left slanting mosaic stitch portion of the pattern. Notice how the individual units have a single canvas thread between them on each row? And that there’s a single canvas thread between the rows, too?

Use this diagram to work the first portion of the serendipity stitch in horizontal rows and you’ll be golden.

Now, let’s take a peek at the second step…

This diagram shows the variation of the mosaic stitch that comprises the part of the pattern that leans toward the right. Once you have the first step in place, the second step is easy-peasy to work. All you have to do is fill in the gaps.

Beginning on the right side of the area you’re stitching, simply follow the second diagram to complete the serendipity stitch pattern. Refer to the stitch diagram that illustrates the entire stitch pattern if you need a visual aid to help you see how the steps fit together.

Here it is again, so you don’t have to scroll all the way back up to the top of the page…

Now, whaddya say we take a peek at some threads?

Some of my favorite threads for stitching beach sand are…

• Rainbow Linen
• Watercolours
• Weeks Dye Works embroidery floss
• Threadworx Overdyed Floss
• Capri + Entice

If you’d like to see a finished sample of the serendipity stitch – and watch me actually do it – be sure and tune in to this week’s episode of Serendipi-TV on Thursday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. CDT. I’ll be broadcasting live from the Serendipity Needleworks Facebook page.

What’s your favorite stitch for stitching the beach on your needlepoint canvases?

I’d love to hear from you, so be sure and share it in the comments box below.

You’re also invited to join my creative community where you can meet lots of incredible stitchers who share your love of needlepoint. You’re incredible too and we can’t wait to meet you!

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Until next time, happy stitching!

XOXO!!!❤️

PS: I have two spots left in my retreat that’s happening this July. Click here to learn more about it.

And if you have any questions, please reach out. I’ll be happy to hop on the phone and chat with you about it.

Ellen Johnson