I adore using variegated threads, especially Straw Silk and Watercolours by Caron. I think the “tie dye” effect is beautiful and creates dimension even if you are simply stitching in continental! While I love using blue variegated threads as a background on shell and ocean canvases, I also love using variegated threads for trees, for sand, or even as a multicolored background for a Stubbs & Wootton loafer!
The blue stripes in this eyeglass case were stitched in Watercolours in the continental stitch, my preferred stitch when using variegated threads. When using continental the colors gently fade from one to the next, instead of jumping around like they do when using basketweave….
Shown above is the Watercolours thread used on a pair of Stubbs & Wootton canvases stitched in basketweave by The Lady Derby. As you can see the colors jump around, which is a fabulous effect when there are a multitude of colors in the thread. I love using basketweave with variegated fibers that are meant to be the star of the show, like in a pair of loafers.
Shown above is the Watercolours fiber stitched in Nobuko, which creates more random bursts of color much like stitching a variegated fiber in basketweave. This effect would also work well with other diagonal stitches like diagonal mosaic.
The background of this shell canvas is stitched in Watercolours in continental.
Shown above is the wave bargello stitch in Straw Silk.
Another example of variegated threads stitched in continental.
I adore mixing in variegated thread with solid thread, like in the napkin rings shown above.
As for canvases that would be beyond with variegated thread-
The blank backgammon board would be so cool with a bold variegated thread like orchid for the background and the points stitched in glitter or solid.
I love the idea of the spotted fish needlepointed with Seafoam for the background, while the octopus would be fabulous with Bermuda Reef as the background.
This crab purse would be amazing with the blue in Blueberry, while “So Chic, So Chic” would be beyond with the letters & border in Bubblegum.
The ocean sunrise canvas stitched in a mix of variegated threads and glitters would be stunning, while the koi fish ripple would be marvelous with the ripples stitched in Ocean Breeze.
Any lightship basket canvas, like the one above is beyond with Straw Silk browns. The "At The Pool” canvas would be equally fabulous with Straw Silk blues.
If you have any questions regarding variegated threads please leave them below!
XO,
Mrs. N
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