The trees are sporting bright green leaves, the azaleas are in full bloom, and the birds are singing, so let’s have some more fun with springtime stitches and threads! Whaddya say we take a peek at a stitch that you can use for the trees on your needlepoint canvases, like this one by Maggie and Company. 👇
but the woven plait stitch is one of my all-time faves because it allows the artist’s beautiful shading show through – especially when you use a lightweight thread.
The woven plait stitch is super simple, so it’s a terrific option if you’re new to using decorative stitches on your needlepoint canvases. It’s a smallish stitch, so it’ll fit just about anywhere and it’s particularly effective when you use a multi-color thread.
And speaking of multi-color thread, I ❤️Watercolors by The Caron Collection, Threadworx Overdyed Floss, and Weeks Dye Works Perle Cotton for stitching the tops of trees. (There are also some deep rich browns for stitching tree trunks in those thread lines.😉)
A single strand of Watercolours on 13 mesh canvas would work quite well. Or you could use 2 strands of Threadworx Overdyed Floss on 18 mesh. (Remember to use a laying tool if you stitch with multiple strands of thread.)
Start at the top right edge of the area you wish to cover and work the first blue horizontal row.
All of the stitches in the woven plait stitch pattern are true diagonal stitches. That means they cover the same number of vertical canvas threads as horizontal canvas threads.
When working the woven plait stitch pattern, each individual stitch lays over two canvas intersections.
What the heck does that mean? Great question… let’s take a closer look at the stitch diagram.
First, your needle should come to the front of the canvas at number one on the stitch diagram.
Then count over to the left two canvas threads (those little white grid lines) and up two canvas threads to get to number two on the stitch diagram. See how the stitch straddles two canvas intersections? Whenever your vertical and horizontal thread count is across the same number of canvas threads (e.g., over 3 and up 3, over 4 and down 4, etc.), you have a true diagonal stitch.
When you get to the end of the first row, turn around and work your way back across the pink (second) row. Notice how the stitches on the second row are offset from the stitches on the first row? That’s what gives the woven plait stitch pattern its texture.
You already know that a multi-color thread works very well to add extra depth and dimension to your canvas. And if you want to use a solid color thread, there are oodles and oodles from which to choose.
If you’d like to watch me demonstrate the woven plait stitch, be sure and tune in to this week’s episode of Serendipi-TV on Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. CDT. I’ll be broadcasting live from the Serendipity Needleworks Facebook page.
And if you can’t join me live, you can always watch on the Serendipity Needleworks YouTube Channel. (Be sure and subscribe to our YouTube channel so you get the latest updates when new videos are added.)
Well, my friend, that’s all for now…
Until next time, happy stitching!
XOXO!!!❤️
PS: Click here for more stitches and threads you can use for trees on your painted needlepoint canvases.
It’s great to see you again. We’re having a super fun-filled summer here at Serendipity Needleworks! And even though we don’t have any more destinations to visit on our 2018 Threadventure, there are still some threads – and stitches – that I’ll be sharing with you for the next few weeks. (We can’t leave out the little guys that didn’t make it into our grand tour, can we? 😉)
Don’t have a Threadventure thread kit? That’s okay. You’ll still get some terrific ideas for ways to use lots of new stitches and you’ll get info about some of Rainbow Gallery’s awesome threads.
Want to order a Threadventure thread kit? Click here to send me an email. I’ll be happy to add you to the waitlist. (More kits are coming in September!)
Oh – and if you don’t know what the heck I’m talking about, click here to get the low-down on the 2018 Threadventure.
Now, whaddya’ say we dive right in?
I’m soooo happy to see you again. Are you ready for the next stop on our Threadventure? Great! Jump on the Serendipity Express with me and we’ll ride our magical virtual vacation tour bus inland to the verdant Napa Valley where thriving vineyards are nestled in amongst the rolling hills that are dotted with magnificent oak trees…
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