Melitastitches4fun's Blog

Linda went through all 4 of the Area Ds on Fibonacci Swirls by Olivia Hartshorn (from Needle Pointers Mar/Apr 2022) at our October meeting for our ANG Main Line Stitchers chapter.

The stitch that caused the most issues was for Area D1 (upper right). The Alternating Scotch stitches are over 3, and compensation is required. Not all of the compensation will be hidden by the swirls. The bigger issue for me is that the stitch is all overdyed thread, while the other 3 areas combine it with a solid color. So, I grabbed the nearest stitch book (Painted Canvas Embellishment: An Idea Book by Carole Lake and Michael Boren) and opened it from the back end (which is how my husband reads magazines for some strange reason). On page 96, I found the Hesitation Stitch. It’s a solid and overdyed combination stitch in diagonal, offset Scotch stitches over 3. Perfect!

The Hesitation Stitch really works best by keeping 2 needles working. Two needles were needed for Area D2’s Milanese stitch (bottom right). I don’t know which I find more challenging – working with 2 needles or compensation of these stitches. Olivia didn’t compensate correctly but Linda pointed out the areas we needed to be careful. I am 99.9% sure I got it right. And, if I messed up, I hope it’s on an edge getting covered by the swirls which will be next month’s lesson.

Here’s the colorway on Congress Cloth. This uses the same overdyed thread but cut and stitched to create color movements.

And, on canvas. I worked on this a couple of days before our October Stitch-in Saturday, at our Stitch-in, and a few days afterward during the World Series Games 1-5. Only the upper left area worked up easily and quickly. Bottom left were small stitches that were easy but not quick. I let the color flow as it wanted only in the top right area.

I’m all ready for the final installment, the swirls, at our meeting tomorrow night.

Linda is leading our ANG Main Line Stitchers chapter on Fibonacci Swirls by Olivia Hartshorn (from Needle Pointers Mar/Apr 2022).

I have finished the C Areas on canvas (top) and Congress Cloth (bottom). I am controlling the flow of the overdyed threads trying to get a flow of color that will accompany the swirls that are stitched last. We’ll see what happens.

I am ready for our next meeting this coming Monday.

Last month, Linda got our ANG Main Line Stitchers chapter started on Fibonacci Swirls by Olivia Hartshorn (from Needle Pointers Mar/Apr 2022).

I’m doing one on Congress Cloth with a single overdyed thread, Sheep’s Silk Autumn Bouquet, that has 4 different colors (mauve, golden, green, and khaki starting at north, east, south, and west, respectively). I decided tent stitches with Perle #8 were plenty on Congress Cloth (rather than cross stitches over 1 canvas thread).

Once I got to the 18 count canvas, I changed my mind on the Watercolours for a third time. These look more different from each other than the last 3 skeins (especially after they are unwound). I kept 605 Sunset and the other threads.

I was almost done with all the borders when I realized that I had a whole card and a lot of the green Elegance leftover. Then, it dawned on me that I hadn’t done the border in over 1 cross stitches, and being on 18 count, that would be better than tent stitches. Elegance is comparable to #8 Perle. So, I went all around the inside border (Area Cs) again with reverse tent stitches to make the cross stitches. You can see the outer edges are not crosses yet. I cut the thread 605 Sunset so the rose/peach color is on the right and the rose/blue on the left.

This is ready for our meeting in 2 weeks.

My ANG Main Line Stitchers chapter is going to start Fibonacci Swirls by Olivia Hartshorn.

During covid lockdown, this grandmother living in Devon, UK, designed it. Luckily, someone in ANG must have contacted her because the instructions appear in Needle Pointers Mar/Apr 2022 issue. If you’re not a member of ANG, you can join (needlepoint.org) anytime and get access to all the old magazines online. Tons of great articles and projects.

ANG Central Jersey Chapter and Cyberpointers chapter have already done it and I’ve seen about 2 dozen different colorways. Linda M is leading this project for our chapter.

I’ve pulled 2 colorways. One is on Congress Cloth and the other is on 18 count canvas.

I will switch locations for two stitches and selecting a new one for one area.

The one for Congress Cloth is using The Thread Gatherer’s Sheep’s Silk Autumn Bouquet SPS099 (I have 3 skeins) and several Presencia Finca threads depending on what works best #8 #12 7720, #12 7726 (maybe double it), and DMC #8 738. For this one, I will cut the mat to fit the shape, and so no canvas will show. The Kreinik is 153V, a bold burgundy! The muted colors in the overdyed thread seem to become brighter by putting it with the brighter solids. I’m getting contrast! The original instructions call for 3 overdyed threads, but I want to try it with one. The threads should look familiar-they were posted as part of the Birthday Bonanza from Linda M!

For my colors going on the 18 count canvas, I’ll be using ecru canvas and plan on adding background stripes as was done by Linda W, a Cyberpointer. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. (Oscar Wilde)

Linda M and I found 3 Watercolour skeins in our stash from what Debra got from a friend of hers. One skein has the old handwritten name and dye lot. Linda helped me pair them up with Entice. I’m very happy!

As I was checking out, there were charms. I almost picked up a horseshoe and 4 leaf clover, but the green didn’t quite match. The threads remind me of a flower garden, and so I got the flower in a pot.

Linda M finally got to stitch some after helping Patrick, Lisa, Lori, Kathy P, Kristen, and me pick out threads! She was very helpful and patient. Looking forward to seeing these develop.