Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 318: Rhodes Circle Stitch

I thought we should make dots today using the Rhodes Circle Stitch. 

There are two methods, one is following the traditional way of the other Rhodes stitches used in Needlepoint work. On counted weave or Aida, you use the grid in the weave to work your way across the outline of a circle. This method can be found at e.g. Poppy Monk. (Scroll down to '3. Circle Rhodes Stitch'.) 

For this method, you need a numbered graph like this:

The other method is to eyeball your way around a drawn, (and sometimes backstitched) circle.  The method for this is shown at Needle 'n Thread. It also features in Embroidery Stitches A-Z 1.

If you are brave, you can stitch over an imaginary circle, this is often seen on YouTube videos from India.

In the tradition of Rhodes stitches, I'll do the Needlework method first. Here is the grid and my photo tutorial:

If you are stitching on plain weave without a grid, the method where you need to eyeball the placements of stitches is better:

Draw a circle.

Select a place to start

Place the thread right across the circle.

That is the spot where you want to insert the needle.

Work your way around the circle, coming out

and inserting the needle right next to the previous stitch.

You will eventually make it full circle.

Homework:

Add to the samplers. Try out both methods depending on the weave of the fabric.

Friday Homework for Lesson 317: Straight Stitch

 This stitch is so easy and quick that I managed to do my homework in no time! Surprised?

Aida Sampler

Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart

Mottled Wool Scribble Cloth

WIPW - The Second Bookmark and some more Hexablooms

I have been buckled under by a nasty bronchitis and hay fever attack and have spent most of the last two weeks sleeping.

That is why my WIPW report is meagre this time.

Hexablooms

I completed another set of ten and have 310 flowers now.

Birthday Gift

Here is the cross-stitch bookmark I showed you the back of earlier.

Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 317: Straight Stitch

I'll take the easy way out today and introduce you to the most basic of all the embroidery stitches - Straight Stitch. 

Now, it may be a very simple stitch, but oh, so useful! Masses of other stitches include at least one Straight Stitch as part of the complete stitch. 

Here are some examples of stitches made up of only Straight Stitch.

Dark blue: Running Stitch

Red: Darning Stitch

Light blue: Point Russe Stitch

Purple: Mennonite Tacks

Green: A-stitch

Yellow: Ships Ladder Stitch

You will find instructions for the Straight Stitch in any embroidery book. Here is my photo tutorial:

Homework: Play around on these samplers