Chunky Woven Wheel Stitch Tutorial

I've been spending time lately looking around on Instagram, seeing what people are doing with their embroidery and fiber arts. One thing I'm seeing all over are the woven wheels - chunky style. They look too fun not to try, so I thought I would make a short tutorial about them while I was at it. They are easy and effective.

It's not necessary, but I like to draw a circle with a stencil and mark the middle point, then mark points around the circle for 5 spokes.  If you draw a circle, draw it smaller than you want it to be, and make your spokes extend out beyond the circle, so the circle line is hidden. For a chunky wheel, use all 6 strands of floss on the needle.

Then make 5 straight stitches for the spoke.  Bring up the needle near the center and start weaving around, over and under the spokes. Keep on stitching to fill the spokes.  Don't pull too tightly on the thread as you work.  The layers of floss will slowly build up. 

I've done quite a few rounds, so it builds up the form, makes a nice raised stitch. You can work with long lengths of thread for this, and if your thread runs out, bring it down under the woven wheel, and start a new one.  When you're satisfied, fluff the threads a little.

I've added a few fronds and leaves free-form to make a nice finish. I've used fly stitch, detached chain, french knots, and straight stitches.

A few ideas for variations: Add some french knots or beads to the centers of your wheels, use 2 or three colors when weaving, experiment with the number of times you wind the thread around the wheel to make flatter or chunkier stitches.

Good luck and have fun with these!

November Embroidery Journal Project

Back to stitching.

For this month, I wanted to make a try at capturing a little piece of the forest around here where I live. This time of year, it's dark and wet and gray. But not in the trees. They are pines and fir trees, green all year. Then there is the moss. It's always green.

There are many varieties too. At first it all just looks like a green clump, until you look closer and see all the many forms and textures.

I started with a painted fabric. I like to use acrylic inks, which I will talk about soon. I just came upon them recently and am still learning.

I did have some ideas of stitches to use, but I didn't quite even get to them all. I was just looking to create some textures.

I feel that my artistic and technical skills aren't quite up to the challenge yet, but this is a start for me in any case!