October Ornament Opal
Designed and Stitched by Sharon Barrea

Materials:

• 18-count light purple/lavender canvas - 8" square
• Stretcher bars - 6" x 8"
• 2 skeins Snow (a Caron Collection product)
• Small amount of white silk or embroidery floss and/or Kreinik Metallic Braid Size 8 (iridescent white)
• #22 and #24 tapestry needles
• Refer to Finishing Instructions for materials needed for finishing the ornament.

Trace the teardrop-shaped template onto the canvas and mount the canvas on stretcher bars as explained in the General Instructions.

Stitch two rows of continental stitch around the outer shape (see General Instructions).

1. The large area to the left of the slanted line is worked in a random Bargello pattern using Snow. There is no "exact" diagram for this. Please refer to the photograph for guidance. Begin stitching the first row halfway between the top and bottom of the ornament. The stitches in this row are over 4 canvas threads. You will repeat your pattern for each successive row, but you will change the length of the stitches as follows:

Row 1 = over 4 canvas threads
Row 2 = over 5 canvas threads
Row 3 = over 6 canvas threads

Repeat this sequence for the rest of this area.

The diagram below shows a sample.

The photograph below shows the stitches from all three steps.

2. Now turn your canvas sideways to stitch the smaller area of the ornament in Parisian Variation. Continue to use Snow.

3. Finally, use white silk or embroidery floss, or use iridescent Kreinik #8 Braid to stitch one long stitch along the slanted line that separates the two stitching areas. Couch this long stitch in place with a single strand of white silk or embroidery floss. The couching stitches will be small tent stitches over a single canvas thread.

4. Finish the ornament according to the Finishing Instructions. If you are using the Impressions to make a twisted cord, you will need 4 52" lengths for the cording.