Melitastitches4fun's Blog

These are 2 of 4 being done in a southwest color & are being framed as a set. Again, a little filament thread goes a long way to sparkle up a design without overpowering it. I’m going to get a lot of gifts out of this work.

Octagon M is a Waffle Variation & I added a Byzantine to frame it.

Octagon U is a Tied Oblong Cross (same as Octagon G) & I added something like a Byzantine Stitch that I made up to frame it. I do like symmetry & these 2 are going to be the top 2 of 4 framed octagons.

These are 3 of the octagons that’ll I’ll finish for individual gifts. They are a bit out of order because I picked the designs I liked best. And, a couple are repeats but I am using different threads.

Octagon F, Spratshead with Woven Spider & outer spratshead, is one of the repeats.  But, I am using Rachel instead of Watercolours which gives it even more of a raised effect.

Octagon H, Eight Pointed Star, I added a bead to embellish the center.

Octagon S, Waffle & Milanese, is also a repeat of Octagon C but I am using Rachel & 2 Kreinik threads (different weights) instead of Fine Velour, Kreinik, & Watercolours (as was seen in Octagon C).

More on ‘Pieces of Eight’ by Gayle Bicknell.  Still using my own stash.

For Octagon D, Rhodes & Scotch, I added a long straight stitch between each Rhodes unit using 2 threads & added beads in between each Rhodes unit on the outside edges & in the center.

For Octagon E, Satin & Rhodes, I didn’t use any beads because Kreinik metallic threads were enough embellishment in a small piece.

For Octagon F, Spratshead with Woven Spider, I added beads at the end of the spokes of the Woven Spider.

Octagon D Octagon E Octagon F

This year’s Chapter project is ‘Pieces of Eight’ by Gayle Bicknell.  This was presented originally in Needlepoint Now in 4 installments (Sep/Oct 1999; Jan/Feb 2000; Mar/Apr 2000; May/Jun 2000; Jul/Aug 2000). 

I and several others are selecting to complete the project in smaller pieces.  For example, I am making napkin ring holders (with 3 octagons each) and the rest are being made into individual pieces to mount, frame, and given as gifts.  Mostly, we’re using our own stash.  And, we’re doing 3 octagons per monthly meeting & taking turns being the ‘teacher’ (who stitches in advance of the meeting to answer any questions & give any helpful tips).  So far, only Octagon B has proven difficult. 

For Octagon A, Heart Amadeus, I added an Outer Sprats Head using 1 thread & I added beads in the 8 halves of the tops of the hearts. 

For Octagon B, Walneto Variation, I added beads in the middle of the center squares near the borders. 

For Octagon C, Waffle & Milanese, I added beads in the center of each Milanese unit. 

Octagon A Octagon B Octagon C