The
Oriental stitch is one of my personal favorites. It is also sometimes called the
Roumanian stitch, and it is a variation on the Milanese stitch, triangles with
Gobelin fillers. The interesting thing about this stitch is that it looks very
different when you work it in one color than if you work it in two colors.
Worked in one color, it makes the most lovely brocade. I like to stitch it in silk or a shiny thread. It's one of my favorite stitches for clothing, but it also makes a very successful background.
Worked in two colors, it has a distinct stairstep effect. I personally prefer it worked in two colors that are close in value. I've found that I really like it done with the triangles worked in a subtle overdye and the Gobelin fillers worked in a matching metallic. This makes a very elegant and formal stitch.
The Oriental stitch lends itself well to large areas. Don't forget that you can reverse its slant and work it from upper right to lower left. It is an excellent stitch for Southwest designs, but it also looks particularly well in floral designs. It compensates rather well around complex edges. In architectural designs, it makes a nice roof. It makes a neat Santa's coat, as well, especially worked in velour. Consider reversing the slant on either side of the center so that the direction of the triangles point to the Santa's face.
My sample is worked mostly in pearl cotton, with the light blue Gobelin fillers on the right in wool. I think it has far too much contrast, and would have looked better if the light blue stitches were darker. However, I'm not ripping it out! The light blue stitches might also have been interesting worked in an overdye.
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