Melitastitches4fun's Blog

At ANG’s 2025 Seminar in New Orleans, the local ANG Streetcar chapter had a table with a partially stitched Dorothy Lesher piece and this ornament. Because the canvas is marked CB6, I know the proper orientation but still not the designer. Any ideas?

Since it is a small 2.5″ round, I am following the 1-3-5 rule which I learned from Mary Shipp and have heard Ellen Johnson of Serendipity discuss as well. I selected one stitch (Nobuko), three thread types (polyester blends, metallic, and silk/wool bends), and 5 colors (red, blue, green, gold, and white). Specifically, a red Silk Lame Braid for 18 count SL08, a blue Entice E212, a green Impressions 5081, and a white Impressions 0057 (all in my stash).

I knew I wanted to switch directions on the Nobuko for the left and right sides but couldn’t decide on what to do in the middle. So, I decided to use an Upright Nobuko. I started with over 1, over 3, alternating and realized that was an upright Mosaic. So, I went to my books and found this unnamed straight stitch in Desert Island Stitches Volume 1, page 55. Perfect. I have dubbed it the Upright Nobuko Variation.

The areas are small and having to leave the gold grid open made maintaining the pattern a little tricky but doable.

The gold thread used to outline the shapes is from some kit in a baggie that’s labeled Color Twist Dark Gold. The finisher (me) prefers an outer border of basketweave. I used Kreinik #8 Braid 002J. It’s looser but should make finishing easier. The outer circle of cord is couched into place with one strand of Kreinik Japan Thread 002J.

I see a couple places that could use a stitch along the edge. Then, off to the finisher!