A little stitching inspiration, brought to you from Italy—with a glass of rosé in mind.
There are a hundred ways to stitch a canvas—and we’re certainly not here to tell you there’s only one.
This edition of How We’d Stitch It comes with a little extra inspiration from abroad. Rosé Octopus made its way into our suitcase for a recent Italian getaway, proving that a good needlepoint project is just as essential as a good pair of walking shoes (and a reservation for aperitivo).
Between the beautiful views, long lunches, and a few glasses of wine, we found plenty of time to get a few stitches in.
Here's how we're bringing Rosé Octopus to life, one stitch at a time.
The Threads
Our go-to thread has always been Pepper Pot Silk—and for good reason. It's 100% silk, comes in a seemingly endless selection of colors, and works beautifully on both 13- and 18-mesh canvas.
For Rosé Octopus, here’s what we’d reach for:
- Light Purple: Pepper Pot Luxe 185
- Purple: Pepper Pot Prune 131
- Blue: Pepper Pot Hurricane 261
- Navy: Pepper Pot Denim 139
- Light Pink: Pepper Pot Crumbly Pie 244
- Dark Pink: Pepper Pot Cotton Candy 022
- Grey: Pepper Pot Mink 005
- Black: Pepper Pot Pepper 001
- White: Pepper Pot Salt 002
For those looking to add a little extra personality, we love the idea of using a sparkly fiber for his body. Our favorite is Fyre Werks—the subtle shimmer would give our already charming octopus just the right amount of sparkle.
We'd reach for:
- Light Purple: Fyre Werks Soft Sheen Lavender FT7
- Purple: Fyre Werks Soft Sheen Dark Purple FT31
- Blue: Fyre Werks Soft Sheen Royal Blue FT28
- Navy: Fyre Werks Soft Sheen Midnight Blue FT55
The Stitches
As always, we'd keep most of the stitching classic with continental or basketweave, letting the colors and personality of the design do most of the talking.
The Background
As for the background, this is where a lot more creativity can come in. We love the idea of an ocean-inspired background in a soft blue-green that lets Rosé Octopus really stand out. Perhaps Pepper Pot Sea Glass 174?
For the stitch, we'd lean toward something decorative with a little movement—something that mimics the gentle flow of the ocean without competing with the design itself. We're currently trying to decide between the Movement or Swirl stitch.
A Final Pour
Whether you're stitching from a café in Italy, on a plane, or from your favorite spot on the sofa, there's something special about bringing a little project along for the ride.
Rosé Octopus was the perfect travel companion—low maintenance, always up for another glass, and perfectly content to spend an afternoon doing absolutely nothing.
As always, consider this a little inspiration rather than a rulebook. Stitch it your way, embrace the imperfections, and enjoy the process.
Happy stitching!
— Weekend House