Someone asked me, after seeing last week’s post about the lighthouse, if I could explain the stitch I used for the water.
I call it Open Water Stitchand it is a slight variation of a stitch David McCaskill used for an ANG Stitch of the Month.
To make the stitch look more wavy, I only did the first step, the oblique stitches. I think it emphasizes the wobbly nature of the ocean. In the diagram above, you can see how it is constructed. It’s made up of rows of oblique stitches, alternating the direction of the slant in each row. I found it difficult to remember where to start each stitch when I began, but I got into a rhythm soon enough. I stitched it in horizontal rows.
I think my choice of thread, Ty-Di’s Cotton Plus, which is a highly textured thread. Using this thread added to the wavy effect.
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
great stitch! I see an empty stitch sequence, which would be perfect for inserting beads to make the water sparkle. I have to try this one myself.
Judy —
David’s original stitch had Tent Stitches in the open area and I liked it better without, hence it’s “open”. I rather like your idea of beads, I think that’s really going to add something. If the beads were occasionally white instead of matching the water, it would really look like a choppy sea.
Wonderful timing. I’m going to use this in my current piece, Crescent River. Melita
THat will look so cool. I can’t wait to see it.
Keep Stitching,
Janet