The Candy Cane Dog Stocking is coming right along. The blue sky behind the dog is completely stitched in basketweave using Petite Very Velvet #V618 Antique Blue. (Note that Very Velvet 218 is the same color. Rainbow Gallery calls all Very Velvet threads 2xx and all Petite Very Velvet threads 6xx. If the second and third digits in the color number are identical, the colors are identical between the two size of this velour-like thread.)
You can read more about using this thread at these sites.
http://shopthestitchery.com/item_1/Petite-Very-Velvet.htm
http://rittenhouseneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2010/02/focus-on-very-velvet.html
I love the look and feel of this thread but using it did mean I had to deviate from my plan to stitch the little stars in the Petite Very Velvet sky with overdyed Krenik from ThreadworX. I have some beautiful overdyed blue Kreinik that Beth from ThreadworX sent me. I wanted to use it for the little stars in the sky. I have both #8 braid and #12 braid but the #8 sinks into the Petite Very Velvet whether I use tent stitches or cross stitches. The #12 also disappears as a tent stitch and is too fat in a cross stitch. It just looks messy as a XS, which is a sure sign you are using the wrong weight of thread. I've put my #71018 aside and hope I can use it later because it is beautiful.
http://threadworx.com/product.php?catid=8&catName=Hand%20Overdyed%20Metallic%20#8%20braid%20-%2010%20yards&pg_num=1
So it's on to Plan B, which is to use beads for these tiny stars. I have tiny fake white pearl beads and slightly larger size 11 crystal beads, either of which will work. I am going to postpone choosing which to use until the large snowflakes are stitched. I think how I work them will impact which color and style of bead to use for the tiny stars.
In the photo you'll see I have been stitching the top and toe of the stocking, using two different threads. It didn't escape my notice as I studied the top and toe patterns that there were separate elements making up the red areas. I decided I would stitch those separately. In the top I've done a long mosaic stitch using red Very Velvet (the large size, not the Petite I used for the sky). In the bottom I'm doing Scotch stitches both large and small plus some little fishbone stitches which are just interlocking V shapes, using red Crystal Braid CR18 from Rainbow Gallery.
I think I like the Crystal Braid best for this piece. The Very Velvet is just too thick for 18 count canvas, especially if I need to use it in tent stitches in the small areas around the little snowflakes. Interestingly, the Crystal Braid is constructed the same way as the blue snow's Silk Lame Braid. The main difference seems to be that Crystal Braid is a mix of nylon and polyester while Silk Lame Braid is a mix of silk and rayon. The Crystal Braid is a bit shinier and a little less easy to snag and it works well on 18 count just like the Silk Lame Braid does. Either is a great touch when you need some shine without going all out. I hope the photos on the Rainbow Gallery site help you understand what these two threads are like. I
http://www.rainbowgallery.com/detail.cfm?ID=914
http://www.rainbowgallery.com/detail.cfm?ID=1190
I've added a scan of each. The blue thread is the silk/rayon Silk Lame Braid and the red thread is the nylon/polyester Crystal Braid. Each is a lovely thread, and I am happy to use both for the Candy Cane Dog.
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow
