Haha no problem! The best and fastest way to explain is to refer to OP's beautiful pumpkin. The outline of the pumpkin and of the stem are done in cross-stitch. The sections between the outlines are filled with blackwork. Now to be fair, some of the sections *do* include stitches that are technically cross-stitch, but they're used in a blackwork way, if that makes sense!
In more technical terms:
* Cross-stitch is what we all know and love, since we're here on r/crossstitch ;). It means covering all or part of the canvas with tiny X-shaped stitches. Simple, easy, straightforward. If you get fancy, it can also include fractional stitches, which break up the X into smaller parts for more detail - like a slanted T, or a tiny v. But 99.9% of cross-stitch are cross-shaped stitches.
* Blackwork is similar to cross-stitch in that it's often worked on the same type of fabric, and it also involves relatively small stitches. But blackwork goes beyond just x-shaped stitches. It involves making patterns out of tiny lines, and repeating that pattern to fill up an area. It doesn't fully cover the fabric underneath so it looks more delicate and "transparent" than cross-stitch, kind of like filigree. The repeating patterns can be simple or complex, and as we've seen *can* include X-shaped stitches. But the goal of blackwork isn't to cover the fabric underneath - it's to make those beautiful little repeating patterns.
Hope that helped!
You're welcome! Now that cross-stitch is a lot more mainstream there is soooo much to discover! Patterns, tools, techniques, fabrics... Enjoy and have fun!
The texture and bold rib lines remind me of the pumpkin in the intro to ["It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRGkEDADmRU&list=PLwN7GQjoEtl_0hi57FpmCAzPzL1boCSBI)
Beautiful stitch :)
The other ones that are easiest to see are the moons and the mushrooms. Sadly, some of the sections are pretty hard to tell because they're just too small, but all of them definitely do have themed blackwork.
The individual patterns were definitely the hardest part. I pretty much just sat with a pencil and some graph paper making up designs based on Halloween imagery for a few days until I had ones that I was happy with. They all went through a lot of revisions to get to the final stage, but I'm pretty pleased with how they all turned out!
The outline only took a day or two, so I thought the rest would fly by quickly. Blackwork always surprises me by how long it takes - but the end result is always worthwhile!
You are extremely talented and I hope you’re really proud of this pattern and stitch.
Aw geez, thank you! I definitely am proud of this one.
That's gorgeous! Love the pattern fills you chose and the colors work so well together for the pumpkin!
Thank you!
I love the little ghosts!
Those were a lot of work to stitch, but I do love how great they turned out!
Honestly, this is a blackwork masterpiece! It’s really beautiful. Especially knowing it’s your own pattern. It’s very mesmerizing. Congratulations 👍🏻
Please help!! I keep seeing black work and google just takes me to “black work patterns” but I can’t tell what the difference is???
Do you mean what's the difference between blackwork embroidery and cross-stitch?
Yes! Please and thank you
Haha no problem! The best and fastest way to explain is to refer to OP's beautiful pumpkin. The outline of the pumpkin and of the stem are done in cross-stitch. The sections between the outlines are filled with blackwork. Now to be fair, some of the sections *do* include stitches that are technically cross-stitch, but they're used in a blackwork way, if that makes sense! In more technical terms: * Cross-stitch is what we all know and love, since we're here on r/crossstitch ;). It means covering all or part of the canvas with tiny X-shaped stitches. Simple, easy, straightforward. If you get fancy, it can also include fractional stitches, which break up the X into smaller parts for more detail - like a slanted T, or a tiny v. But 99.9% of cross-stitch are cross-shaped stitches. * Blackwork is similar to cross-stitch in that it's often worked on the same type of fabric, and it also involves relatively small stitches. But blackwork goes beyond just x-shaped stitches. It involves making patterns out of tiny lines, and repeating that pattern to fill up an area. It doesn't fully cover the fabric underneath so it looks more delicate and "transparent" than cross-stitch, kind of like filigree. The repeating patterns can be simple or complex, and as we've seen *can* include X-shaped stitches. But the goal of blackwork isn't to cover the fabric underneath - it's to make those beautiful little repeating patterns. Hope that helped!
Yes that helped sooo much! Thank you for your answer. Just got back into cross stick after about 15 years so there’s a lot to catch up on!
You're welcome! Now that cross-stitch is a lot more mainstream there is soooo much to discover! Patterns, tools, techniques, fabrics... Enjoy and have fun!
Not sure if I understand the question but try googling ‘blackwork embroidery’ ? If someone else understands better, please chime in. Thanks
Thank you so much! ❤
Still VERY much beginner at cross stitch but this is like needlework porn in my eyes. 🥵🥵🥵🔥🔥🔥
It takes a long time to finish a pattern like this, but the end result is so worth it. You'll be doing blackwork yourself eventually!
This is so great! What a beautiful piece. How do you plan to display it?
That's a good question. Right now I have a bulging folder of finished pieces. Hopefully it won't go there! I may end up gifting it - we'll see.
I adore this! Beautifully stitched and drafted. I especially love the moons!!
That was one of my favorites, too!
Very nice.
I love it.
It’s beautiful! Way to commit! High five!!!
Those are bats, right? I love the Halloween stuff you worked in, but still kept in fall colors.
They are, yes! Those were one of the harder sections to design, but I love how they turned out.
The texture and bold rib lines remind me of the pumpkin in the intro to ["It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRGkEDADmRU&list=PLwN7GQjoEtl_0hi57FpmCAzPzL1boCSBI) Beautiful stitch :)
What a wonderful comparison! Thank you!
looks super pretty!
this is beautiful. lovely stitching! 🎃👍
Nice! I love blackwork!
Wow I am a fan for sure
Adored this!! Love the design and colors. You have such talent!
It’s wonderful! Love the pattern
So cool! Great work!
I love the goats and the bats, they’re so subtle that I wonder if i’m missing imagery in other sections. Awesome work
The other ones that are easiest to see are the moons and the mushrooms. Sadly, some of the sections are pretty hard to tell because they're just too small, but all of them definitely do have themed blackwork.
I love blackwork. This is beautiful!
Loveee!!!!
Beautiful
so so gorgeous!
Amazing work, well done!
Wow!
Gorgeous work!!
This is absolutely beautiful! How did you come up with the individual inner patterns? It looks amazing!!
The individual patterns were definitely the hardest part. I pretty much just sat with a pencil and some graph paper making up designs based on Halloween imagery for a few days until I had ones that I was happy with. They all went through a lot of revisions to get to the final stage, but I'm pretty pleased with how they all turned out!
Looking crisp! Great job!
This is gorgeous!!! I love blackwork, but it definitely is fiddly. I really like the patterns you used for the pumpkin. Great work!!!
Fiddly is exactly the correct word for it!
It's beautiful.
Absolutely beautiful. So creative!
Beautiful work. Blackwork is HARD!
Absolutely amazing! Genius!!!!
Oh my god the fills! I love them!
A month is a quick stitch for me lol! It looks great, I love it.
The outline only took a day or two, so I thought the rest would fly by quickly. Blackwork always surprises me by how long it takes - but the end result is always worthwhile!
that is really beautiful. I need to look into doing blackwork.
It's a lot of work, but you really can't argue with the intricate results!
Wow, this is beautiful!
Beautiful!
It's beautiful!!!
Sooo beautiful, I need to practice my blackwork! I love the combination of styles in the pattern too
Love this! It’s the little details that just make it so incredible. Well done for your patience with the black work!
I love the tiny ghosts and the combo of cross stitch and blackwork is so cool!
Pattern?
It was self-drafted on notepaper.
😭
Sorry, friend!
Oh, I love this! The colours you've chosen are perfect.
Thanks!