Woven Wheel Stitch

What you will learn

• Laying spokes
• Weaving over and under
• Building a raised shape

Materials and tools

• Embroidery hoop, 5 or 6 in (13 or 15 cm)
• Plain cotton or linen practice fabric
• Embroidery (crewel) needle, size 5 to 7
• Six-strand embroidery floss
• Embroidery scissors
• Water-soluble or heat-erasable marking pen

Before you start

• Put the fabric in the hoop so it is drum-tight.
• Cut 18 in (45 cm) of floss, separate the strands you need, thread the needle and knot one end.

1. Draw a circle about 3/4 in (2 cm) across with a dot in the centre. Mark five evenly spaced points on the edge.
2. Stitch five straight spokes, each from the edge to the centre. The number must be odd or the weaving will not alternate.
3. Bring a new, longer thread (about 24 in, 60 cm) up at the centre between two spokes.
4. Slide the needle under the first spoke and over the next, without going through the fabric. Using the eye end of the needle first helps avoid splitting the spokes.
5. Keep weaving round, under one spoke and over the next. Do not pull tight. Let each round sit beside the last.
6. When the spokes are completely hidden, take the needle down under the edge of the rose and finish on the back.

Tips for a neat result

• Loose weaving gives a full, soft rose. Tight weaving gives a small hard button.
• A tapestry needle is easier for the weaving because the blunt tip does not catch.

Common mistakes and fixes

Check your result

• No spokes are visible.
• The rose is raised and round, with the weave spiralling evenly.

Projects that use this