Couching

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Couching: To form interesting stems and branches, or to make basket handles or bicycle wheels, couch thicker yarns or wire in place. This is a good stitch to use when yarn is too thick to thread up in a needle. Use one or two strands of thread and couch in place as shown. See page 22 of my book: Flower Fairies™ in ribbon embroidery and stumpwork. To cover the yarn or twig, wrap it with silk ribbon :)

Stitch diagram is © Metz Press and Di van Niekerk.