HUGS from Robin - part six

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Close up of Hugs (GS-11)

Sometimes a little Basketweave is just what a needlepoint piece needs. A place to rest your eyes, if you will. It's the cornerstone of our stitching repertoire, and yet, we might overlook using it because we are in love with all those other decorative stitches.

In the 1970's, I learned how to do the Basketweave stitch from reading a charted diagram. (True confessions: I began as a self-taught stitcher.) I understood it had a diagonal pathway. Only recently did I realize there was more to that stitch... much more to learn... to do it correctly.

ND 465-A
Stitch Guide by Vicky De Angelis

Last year I was photographing Vicky De Angelis' stitched models for NeedleDeeva. Getting close to her work through the camera and computer, I noticed her beautiful Basketweave stitches.

The Devil is still a handsome guy despite
being at the beginning of Robin's learning curve.

Then, I looked at my stitching. At the time, I was stitching The Devil (ND 0467-B) from the Creepy Characters. Quite a different look for the same stitch. I was keeping the diagonal pathway; what else could I do to improve my technique?

Walk Up the Steps

I had remembered the saying, "Walk up the Steps... Slide down the Poles." In my early stitching days, I heard it, and yet, couldn't/wouldn't process it. I never took time to study the canvas threads: the warp and the weft threads. There was a wonderful charted diagram in The NeedleWorks March 2011 e-newsletter which gave me my "ah-ha" moment. The horizontal steps and the vertical poles were pointed out to me; cue the celestial choir.

At the same time, I remembered Amy Bunger taught a 2-hour class about Basketweave at TNNA. Imagine that... 2 hours on the Basketweave stitch. Currently, I am editing the Tony Minieri DVDs, Back to Basics • Level One, and again, the Basketweave stitch was discussed in depth.

So now, I understand the Basketweave stitch. Here are some points to share with you:

• Pay attention to the canvas threads: walk up the Steps and slide down the Poles. It really does matter.
• When beginning a new thread, pay attention to your last stitch and begin the next stitch in the correct sequence. If your begin at the other end, you will get a "striped" look.
• When ending the thread, do not run it back into the worked area. You will get a "hole" in the stitching. Instead, pull your thread forward so the new thread will have coverage on the backside. 
• To end the thread, run it either horizontal or vertical along a few stitches; never diagonally.

Backside of Basketweave
Hugs (GS-11) • Gayla Elliott Designs

I am now proud to show you my backside of the Basketweave on the HUGS canvas. I can honestly say this is the first time I correctly did the Basketweave stitch. I am so thrilled. Hopefully, my learned lessons will help someone, too.

Until the next time... Hugs, Robin

The Devil's Face • ND 0467-B

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Before and After of The Devil
Creepy Characters by NeedleDeeva

Ever wonder how I stitch a face? I found my work-in-progress photos of The Devil (ND 0467-B) from the Creepy Characters series, and thought I would share them with you. Now, what is that saying?... the Devil is in the details? LOL. Enjoy the show.

I think he is quite the handsome guy. NeedleDeeva did an awesome job designing this cutie for the Creepy Characters series. Contact your LNS if you'd like to stitch him. You can see the participating retailers on the NeedleDeeva website. The Devil canvas (ND 0467-B) comes with my stitch guide, too. 

Until the next time... Thanks, Robin

Hooty Owl in Needlepoint Now magazine

Hi Everybody.... Robin here.

Subscribers to Needlepoint Now magazine should be getting their copy September/October 2011 issue pretty soon. And, when you do... check out  the back cover. It's Hooty Owl from the Creepy Characters series. Then, look on page 12. There is an article about NeedleDeeva and me, as well as the complete stitch guide for Hooty. 4 pages! How exciting.

Judee/NeedleDeeva initially designed Hooty Owl (ND 0467-i) for the magazine subscribers, and for all Owl lovers, too. I really enjoyed stitching him. Some of the interesting threads I used were Fuzzy Stuff and Petite Very Velvet for a fluffy-soft Owl look.

There are beading, ribbons and Slide Bullion techniques. Needlepoint Now will be posting their technique video of the Slide Bullion, but here's the diagram from my stitch guide. I used Kreinik braid and frayed the end in order to grab one of the threads. Then I took the remaining braid bundle and slid down the pole... creating the Slide Bullion for Hooty's Feet. This is a fun technique and I used it on other Creepy Characters, too. Have you used it yet? I would love to hear from you.

Contact your Local Needlepoint Shop to order Hooty Owl or any of the Creepy Characters. Each can be purchased individually or the complete series. (On page 16 of the magazine, you can see the Participating Retailers, as well as on the Creepy Characters page of the NeedleDeeva website, too.) Well, back to printing out the 175 Devil (ND 0467-B) Stitch Guides. He's next to be sent out.

Enjoy, Robin.