Here is my Santa so far, striding along ….

He is a project available as a correspondence course through the American Needlepoint Guild, and I am so glad I purchased the full kit. Such fabulous threads, that I had never dreamed of!! His jacket is Petite Velvet, and it really is velvety, just gorgeous. And the thread for the snow is Fyre Works – it it a lovely flat thread, a braid I guess, and is has enormous opalescent shine and colours. I have never seen anything like it in a thread before. The gold is also a Fyre Works braid, and most of the other threads are Splendor silk. We just cannot get threads like these here. I was so excited last year to discover the embroidery shop had a full range of WaterColor threads, and lots of other variegated and overdyeds, but they don’t have these fabulous beauties!

Back to Santa – he has some quite dimensional parts – the top edge of his sack is a twisted cord, for instance, and when he is finished he will be carrying a staff with garlands and ribbons on it. And there will be the lovely finishing background and border. And the thread for Santa’s beard and cuffs really is furry – I shall fluff up his beard once I have him finished.

Sometimes I wish I liked to stitch in rotation – I have a couple of things lined up that I can’t wait to get into, but I don’t enjoy rotation stitching. I prefer to finish one thing before moving onto the next. I hate the thought of poor old Santa being consigned, only partly done, to a box while I work on something else. Still I guess that gives me incentive to stitch as much as I can in order to get him done quickly.

As if I need incentive to stitch in every spare moment. Hah!

Tell me – are you like me, and must finish what you’ve started, or do you stitch in rotation?

I’ve started one of the pieces offered by the American Needlepoint Guild, as a correspondence course – ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. It is, of course, a picture of Santa.

So was it really necessary for my husband to comment that what I’ve done so far looks like Snoopy riding on a jet-ski?

I didn’t crop the picture, but left it to show the frame and all, just because I am so pleased with myself for taking the time to set it all up. I have used this scroll frame before but hadn’t bothered to lace up the sides, so this time I decided to try it out. What a difference it makes! The canvas is lovely and taut all the way to the edges, and it is so much easier to stitch.

Last time I posted I had deviated away from my original Weathervane quilt block plan, and created a square border of herringbone, and was feeling pleased with things. Well, now I am feeling even more pleased – look what I did next:

I filled in the border with nice smooth stitches, and it looks as though that big diamond is sitting on a solid piece of something. I have no idea what stitch I used to make it solid – I haven’t bothered to learn stitch names because I have always just used whatever stitch looks good. I didn’t need to know it’s name because I just stitched by myself, for myself. But now that I share some of my stuff on this blog, and I am starting to do some things with the online CyberPointers chapter of ANG, maybe I had better start learning some stitch names! So if you know what stitch I used here, perhaps you will be kind enough to tell me?

Anyway, moving right along …. I was not at all happy with those four squares with silly little square motifs in them. So out came the motifs. A couple of snips and they were history.

Then I took out that turquoise metallic from the very centre, and replaced it with a proper blue. The turquoise had been bugging me as it looked out of place with no other turquoise used at all.

Then back to those squares. Now that they are empty again, I have to find something to fill them up. How about one of these?

Hmmmm… the ones on the right have potential. The top right echoes the very centre of the work, and I like the look of the diamond at bottom right. The ones on the left have to go, so let’s try something else ….

Oooohhhhhh – I REALLY like the look of the additions on the bottom right.

So a few more snips to remove the 2 I don’t like, and few more stitches to add in what I do like…..

And it’s finished!!!

I am feeling pretty darned pleased with my first attempt at designing a geometric as I go.

I really am pleased with how this is looking so far, and I look forward to doing a bit more on it each evening after work.

I’m feeling a bit anxious though, about the big square sections in each corner. I’m using the quilt block pattern called “weathervane”, which calls for a mirror image of what I’ve already done in the corner; but I just cannot think of what to do in the two triangles. I simply cannot envisage anything at all. So let’s try out a few different shapes, with long basting stitches.

The Weathervane is at the top left:

So … Those triangles in the Weathervane are too hard. How about leaving them out and just have the square that remains, so that the outer edge of the whole thing is not a straight line? Hmmm, I quite like that idea, but I think the square jutting out is a bit too much (top right).

OK, how about just one really big triangle? (bottom left). Well, what on earth could I put in there that wouldn’t overwhelm the whole thing? I am afraid if I put a couple of different patterns in there to break it up, then it would take the focus off that big diamond and I do want that to be the main focus.

You know, I am still thinking about that top right section, and having an irregular outer edge. How about if I slide the square down into what I’ve already stitched, just leaving a smaller triangle (bottom left)? Ah yes, I rather like that.
I’ve sized it so that each side of the right angle is 32 threads – the whole of the big square there is 64 threads, so I’m thinking that using 32 should work out ok. But it looks a bit skimpy. Perhaps if I make the triangle shape heavier by turning it into a border?

And what about if I carry that border through to the next corner???

Oh ho – I do like that!!
Now, what stitch should I use for this new border? Here are some of my try-outs. Click on the picture to get a closer view:

I like the herringbone, done in 3 colours.

And I was so excited about this idea, that it took me no time at all to do the whole border.

I love the herringbone but it looks a bit weak doesn’t it?

I think it needs to have a plain outline to make it look more substantial. But what colour? And how substantial? Nothing for it, but to do a couple more try-outs:

Definitely the darker colour, and I think it needs the wider line. Yes, I like the one to the left of centre.

Oh, I just love how this looks! Of course, it’s no longer the Weathervane idea I started with, but it’s way better I think. But that’s enough stitching for now.

Now which section will I work on?

I think the four big triangles in the points of the diamond. What are the options for these?
• A motif taking up most of the triangle?
• A filling stitch that covers the whole triangle?
• More than one filling stitch within the triangle?
• More border stitches, concentrically following the shape of the triangle until it is filled?

I love the sort of stitches invented or popularised by Jean Hilton, and there is one in particular that I adore. It uses 3 different threads, and especially looks great if one of the three is a metallic. Let’s see how that looks:

Well, I love it. It’s so dimensional and the metallic makes it spectacular I think.

BUT I am afraid that it just looks too heavy in this piece. So sadly I took it out.
And of course then I found that the holes were now enlarged, after all some of them had several strands of thread going through them! Oh well, too bad. Maybe whatever I choose will cover them, and it is an experimental piece that I am doing here; it’s not as though I intend to enter it into a competition.

But the next thing I tried looks way better. Even my husband said it looks quite good . Yes, I think that will do nicely.

The empty squares are next
Oh dear, those squares in the corners are looking awfully empty. They are just crying out for something now, aren’t they!
I have a couple of ideas – how about one of these?

No, I don’t think I like the diagonal angles in them. It seems to detract from the diamond.

OK, how about this?

Ahh yes, much better, I think. They need something else of course, but I will worry about that later.

Now, if I could just get some photography and photo manipulation skills, so the photos all look the same colour, things would really look better, LOL

Now to finish off the Diamond shape. I really like the look of a simple diagonal line made of stitches alternating over one and two intersections, so let’s try that out.

Yes, that will do nicely, I think. I will consider how to fill in between those two lines later, but the same as I did in between the stepped lines in the centre square seems a likely contender. A bit of continuity.

Yep, I like that. Hmmmmm…… but now I’m not sure at all about making it a double line. Should I leave it as it is? But there’s that gap where the diamond doesn’t quite meet in the inner corners. There are 5 empty threads there. Looks a bit odd, don’t you think?

Less is more, they say.

Ok, how about if I just do a row or two of simple backstitches on either side? Or plain old cross-stitches, perhaps? Nah, don’t really fancy .them.
Something a bit fancier, like a braid? No, I don’t want to detract from that lovely woven effect I’ve created.

I wonder what it would be like if I just do long stitches from the centre of the V to the edge?

Oh yes, I like that look. But those stitches are awfully long. Will they be ok? It’s just going to hang on the wall, so there is probably no reason why they would distort or sag. Maybe I will put them in for now and then I could easily replace them if I think it’s necessary once the piece is finished.

Now what?

I simply do not want to agonise over what to do next. I could sit here for a month of Sundays thinking about what do next, pouring over magazines and searching the internet for inspiration.

So just pick a spot, pick a stitch and do it! Don’t over-think this, just do it!

Right! I will now work on the four outer corners. And in the mood of just stitching, and not over-thinking it, I will use that square/diamond stitch that I used to create triangles in the centre square. And what’s more, I will create triangles in these outer squares. How’s THAT for continuity!!!

Continuing on with my geometric design, which I am making up as I go.
So which area of the geometric design that I’m doing from scratch, will I work on next?

There are 4 ‘V’ points which I would like to be prominent, creating a diamond shape, so I guess they’re next. Now, how wide will they be? The centre square has 64 threads, so each of the big outer squares should also be 64 threads. The V, or diamond tip, takes up half the side of one of those squares so it should be 32 threads.

But which stitch(es) to use?
Good grief, this is harder than I thought – how on earth do you decide which stitch to use?????
Should I outline the V first then find a filling stitch? But which stitch should I use for the outline? Not the diagonal gobelin again; I want something different.

Ok, so how about if I look for a favourite stitch for the filling. It might not even need an outline. 32 threads to play with – that’s quite a lot for one stitch, unless it’s one usually used to fill a shape. But I would like this V/diamond to be a bit special, not just a background shape filled in.
Aha – look what’s sitting beside me – the box I made. (you can see it at:  Needlepoint box tutorial )

Surely I will find something suitable there.

 
And there it is. The perfect stitch for the centre of each V.

So a couple of basting stitches to define the V, find the centre point in the 32 threads they cover, and off I go. I have loved this stitch since I came across it in Jean Hilton’s Puzzle Purse. It’s not 32 stitches wide, but I recokon I can find something suitable to put around the edge later on.
On the purse and my needlepoint box, I used 6 colours, but I am only using 4 this time, allowing some of the canvas to show through.

I used the darkest thread on the bottom, through to the lightest on the top and I think it gives an illusion of depth. I am loving this stitch! It looks great, is easy to stitch and works up so quickly!

In no time at all I finished the diamond, and also stitched more diagonal gobelin to define the outer squares. I’m on a roll now.

Too bad I have to stop stitching sometimes, to attend to mundane matters such as preparing and eating meals, sleeping etc

Let me know if you would like more info on stitching this “woven stitch” and I will send you better diagrams including how to turn the corner of the V.

In my last post I had started the double stepped line in the centre square. Then came the question of what to put in between the lines. And what do you know – the very first thing I tried worked!  A thread of metallic, couched down with the same thread. What a lift it gives.

So now I have a diamond in the very centre that needs to be filled. Well now, I just love Jean Hilton-type stitches and this seems like the very place for one. I could spend ages searching through my magazines and books for the “perfect” one but instead I will just take a quick glance through the pattern book from when I did the Puzzle Purse and choose one, and that will be it.

(“Spending ages with my mags and books” makes it sound like I have lots doesn’t it! I have 1 year’s worth each of Needlepointers (2009) and Needlepoint Now (2008) and 3 books. It just takes me ages to look through them ‘cos I get side-tracked with other ideas LOL)

Add a few jessicas and straight stitches and call it done.

Now the triangles at the corners of this centre square. Hmmmmmm. I tried all sorts of things in these corners and ripped them all again. I didn’t like how any of them looked. Some obvious triangle motifs like sprats heads, stripes of satin stitch, diagonal Parisian stitch etc etc.

I started to get a little frustrated. If 4 little corners are so frustrating, is this whole project worth it? How will I cope when I move outside this centre square??? I decided to try one more thing, and to keep it simple: A filling of diamonds over 2 threads. Love it! Well, I like it is perhaps more accurate. It looks a bit dull, so maybe I could add some beads when it is all finished.

In the meantime, the centre square is done!

Now I get to move outside the nice safe centre square into unknown scary territory

Yesterday I stitched a square in the centre of my fabric but of course I had to make a decision before I could do that – well, 2 decisions actually.

First how big should it be? As yet I have no idea how this design is going to develop, or what will be inside the square, so how could I possibly decide on the size of the square? How about 64 threads each way inside the square? (Being a square, it would HAVE to be each way wouldn’t it. Duh!)
64 threads means that stitches over 4 or 8 threads will fit perfectly. But if it is 72 threads then stitches over 3 or 6 threads would also fit –that would double the possibilities of fillings. But 72 threads would take up too much room. I didn’t measure the fabric when I cut it – I just grabbed the frame and cut the fabric to fit LOL. OK, how about 66 threads, and work with stitches over 3 or 6 threads only?
Arrggh. Just make a decision and go with it. I want to spend more time stitching than thinking about what to stitch! So, I settled on 64 threads inside the square.

Now, how do I stitch the square? Well, I guess the stitching inside the square should probably be more important that the square itself, so I chose a simple unobtrusive diagonal over 2 threads. I think that might be called “gobelin” but I am really not very au fait with stitch names. I just stitch and don’t take much notice of what it’s called. I reversed the direction in the centre of each side so that the stitching continues seamlessly around the corners and each corner is identical.

In the diagram, I used the red layout – you can see how the corners would be different if I had followed the green stitches.

I used one of the dark blues so that the square would be well defined.

Stitching Inside the Square
Now, what am I going to put inside the square? A nice simple stepped line seemed a good idea. It took me a couple of goes to get it centred nicely, but I think it looks pretty good. Now, how about another one inside the first? If I leave a gap between the 2 lines I could put something a bit fancy inside the space.

(a bit later that day……)
You know, I really think I need to have some sort of idea what direction this is going to take, but how on earth do I make a decision? There is an infinite number of things I could do once this centre square is finished. I want it to be symmetrical, but how do I decide what shapes to have around the centre square?

How about based on a quilt block? Traditional quilt blocks are often used as a basis for geometric needlepoint! So, I took myself off to Alex Anderson’s website and settled upon Weathervane, although I decided to add an extra V in the middle sections to create a diamond shape:

I’m feeling quite excited about this project – can’t wait to work on it some more!

I’ve decided to go on a bit of an adventure, and thought you may like to come along for the ride.

I am going to create a geometric needlepoint design from scratch, just making it up as I go. I shall try to document my thoughts and stitching, and we’ll see what happens. With a bit of luck it will turn out ok, but if I think it is all becoming a bit of a disaster I shall simply abandon it, ok? I am not going to keep on stitching that I don’t enjoy.

However, let’s not talk about that – I haven’t even started yet!

So first things first ….
Fabric? Well, I have some congress cloth so I guess that will the obvious choice. I want this to be from my stash. I don’t have a huge stash – things are too expensive here to just buy on the off-chance that I may use them ‘one day’. But congress cloth I do have.

Threads? Hmmm, probably best I think about colours first. What do I want …. brights? pastels? neutrals? lots of colours? analogous? complementary? monochromatic? themed? So many choices. Let me look at what I’ve got.

I have my threads sorted by colour rather than type, because I would usually decide that I need say a green, and then choose which green I want. I’m much less likely to decide I want to use a silk then choose from them which colour I fancy. So all the greens are thrown together. Likewise the blues, the reds/pinks etc. All the multi-coloured variegated are together and all the metallics are together. I say “all “ – there are maybe 5 variegateds for instance; hardly a record-shattering collection!

OK, I seem to have a variety of blues – different shades, different textures. Blue sounds just fine for me.

Now, back to them congress cloth. If I am going to use all blue threads, then I would like the fabric to also be blue. Out with the fabric dyes I have (useful in my other life as a crazy quilter. That’s someone who does crazy-quilting, not a quilter who is crazy, by the way. Well, possibly it’s both, LOL)

Right all set. Best way to start is to just start stitching. 1 square in the centre seems a reasonable start for a something geometric.

Woohoo —- I have started my adventure!