Stem stitch rose

Click on the image to enlarge

Make one or many French knots in the centre of the rose. Use two strands of thread, and wrap two or three times around the needle. Or you could use 2 or 4mm silk ribbon and wrap it once or twice around your needle.

Form the petals of the rose with stem or straight stitch, working in a circular pattern. Keep going back between the previous stitches as shown in the diagram.

Use a gentle, loose tension and work over a spare needle if you find that your tension is too tight – this  helps to raise the stitch up off the surface of the design.

Make less petals for a small rose and add more, if necessary, to form a large rose.

Stitch diagram is © Metz Press and Di van Niekerk.