Rhodes Stitch


Rhodes Stitch is also known as

Puntada de Rodas[ES], Point de rhodes [FR], Rhodos Stich [DE],  Ponto Rhodes [PT].


How to do the Rhodes Stitch

This is a very interesting stitch that leaves scope for some experimentation. A series of Straight Stitches are used to overlap each other to develop symmetric shape like a square, circle, heart, etc. This stitch can be worked nicely over even weaved fabric, but this tutorial will illustrate it over a normal fabric. Rhodes Stitch can make great filling textures. I will demonstrate a square shape using this stitch. So, I will work inside a square drawn on the fabric. The outline of the square will be the stitch line for the Rhodes Stitch.

Fig 1: Start by coming out from one corner of the square shape, at point A. Take the needle in at the opposite end, point B.Fig 2: Now, come out from C, a point near point A. Go in through D, a point opposite to C. Then, again, come out through E and continue with this process.
Fig 3: A finished square looks like this. Since the straight stitches run from one end to the other, overlapping at the center, it gives a ‘spinning’ appearance. This technique can be used to make any shape, especially symmetric ones. So, try a circle, triangle, and heart shapes, too.

Learn to do Rhodes Stitch in 2 minutes!


More stitches from the Straight Stitch Family

 


Learn the Rhodes Stitch along with 305 other stitches from our 600-page eBook. 

14 Responses

  1. Hi! I found you through Pinterest, on one of the chain like tutorials. I love your site, full of great tutorials. I don’t embroider, but I really want to try my hand at it now that I’ve seen your site!

    I’m an artist, and I’m always looking for different creative outlets!

  2. P
    Pushpa says:

    I love your website.i take maximum help from here.i love hand embroidery.i want to do hardanger embroidery.can you tell me which fabric should I use and is available in Delhi. I got a small piece from London 22 count evenweave and I want more like this type. I would be very grateful if you help me. Thanks

  3. Hi – I wanted to talk to you about an embroidery website project I am starting.

    Please could you contact me at futurewasp77@me.com

    Many thanks & Kind regards,
    Darren Butler

  4. T
    Trupti says:

    I love ur blog. I am teaching my children and her friends. V v helpful

  5. I want to know where I will get Learning Books Embroidery

    • Sarah says:

      Hi Mani Kumar,
      You can buy our ebook which will be available in a few months. It will have all the details that a beginner will require to do hand embroidery.
      Thanks

  6. m
    mist says:

    Dear sarah…
    Everything about your blog captures my interest. there is something really beautiful with how you do things, be it embroidery, photography or anything. The way u have represented everything in your blog makes me feel that you are a warm, loving woman who is absolutely optimistic about everything in life. kudos to that!

  7. B
    Basdai Premchandsingh says:

    I discovered Sarah’s hand embroidery tutorial only last evening. I am 71 and gave up hand sewing many many years ago because of ‘carpal tunnel’ in my right hand. Now, after surgery a few months ago, I find that I can use a needle proficiently once more. This website is a ‘God sent’. Thank you. I am going to enjoy the days ahead

    • Sarah says:

      Hello Basdai ji
      How are you? Yes, it is an awfully late response, and I am so sorry about the delay. How is your hand embroidery hobby going on? I am eager to hear about it. ☺️

  8. V
    Viv says:

    Sarah,

    you are just fabulous. This is such a good stitch to know & I will use it for my project.

  9. c
    cloudblues says:

    The last photo sort of looks like there’s something more than just a straight across stitch going on there … is the thread twisting on itself? My eyes can’t seem to make the photo be just a straight stitch across. It kind of looks like you went under another stitch? Or down into the center? Ack. 🙂 Help my aging eyes please! 🙂

    • sarah says:

      Dear cloudblues,

      Since you are working around the shape with straight stitches overlapping each other, it will give a final ‘twisted’ effect in the center.
      I must have finished the very last straight stich in the middle (since my thread was finishing), instead of taking it all the way across to the other end, which probably might be causing you to think that there is more to this stitch! I must say, aging though, you have keen eyes. 🙂

  10. P
    Padma says:

    Hi Sarah,

    I’ve just fallen in love with your website. I am going to start trying out your stitches. I would like to know what fabric you are using for your embroidery as well as cross stitch as it seems thicker than simple cotton fabric.

    I’ve already got my needle and threads and waiting to start stitching.

    Keep up the good work.

    • Sarah says:

      Hi Padma, long time. How is your embroidery hobby going on?
      I always use simple white cotton fabric for my stitching.☺️

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