Take a stitch Tuesday Challenge week 23

Last week I asked if people wanted to have a holiday week but the majority did not want to have catch up time so we have another stitch this week for the Take a Stitch Tuesday Challenge .

Just a reminder that if you are enjoying this series by either reading along and browsing the sites or if you are stitching along you may be interested in my latest online class offered on Joggles.com. Sumptuous surfaces is a 6 week online course which will start July 11th. (Follow the link for more information.)

Wheatear stitch is a great stitch to explore and interpret in all sorts ways. It consists of two straight stitches worked on the diagonal with a chain looped through the base.

For this weeks samples I have used 1 ply of Caron Watercolour thread on Aida. You can do all sorts of things to wheatear stitch. It can be stacked row upon row and worked to create a pattern. In this sample I have simply worked rows in both directions and lined up so they slightly overlap but you can easily step the rows, lace, thread and use the rows the couch down thread. Some very interesting effects can be built up this way.

Wheatear can also be worked in a square. In this sample I have worked 4 squares building up a pattern. You could easily add beads to the patterning as well.

The next four samples are variations on adding extra straight stitches. All of them can be worked in singles like this or worked in rows in a square in line or on a curve. Beads could easily be added and the stitch could be used to couch down stitches. The possibilities are really limitless!

The last sample contains wheatear stitched worked on a curve that has been worked around a bead. Once you work Wheatear on a curve its nature becomes very organic and it looks like wild grasses or wheat. Hence the name.

Also on the sample is a variety in which I have substituted oyster stitch for the chain loop. It makes for a very interesting variety.

This last sample the stitch has been used on a Crazy Quilting Block. I used a silk thread and added extra straight stitches in a metallic thread then topped it off with a bead.

When you have stitched a sample swing by and leave a comment on this post so people can check out your site. To avoid spam you must be registered and all comments are moderated. This means they are not approved immediately but when I have read they are published.

Other news is that Debra Spincic wrote to me through the week to tell me that she is no longer taking sign ups for the TAST webring as spam has overloaded her but there is a Take a stitch Tuesday flickr group which you can browse