• 1st row: backstitch
    2nd row: running stitch
    3rd row: backstitch
  • 4th row: detached straight stitches (arranged like flower stems)
  • 5th row: backstitch
    6th row: does this have a name? It seems like it should be called something like "half cross stitch"
  • 7th row: chevron stitch
  • 8th row: does this have a name? It's the reverse of row 6.
    9th row: backstitch
  • 10th row: fly stitch.
  • 11th row: cross stitch
  • 12th row: detached straight stitches
    13th row: backstitch
  • 14th row: Bosnian stitch
    15th row: sheaf stitch
  • 16th row: backstitch
    17th row: backstitch
  • 18th row: triangles made with detached straight stitches.
  • 19th row: reverse Bosnian stitch
  • 20th row: backstitch
    21st row: St. George's cross stitch
    22nd row: backstitch
  • 23rd row: herringbone stitch
  • 24th row: buttonhole stitch
    25th row: ermine stitch
  • 26th row: zipper stitch
    27th row: cross stitch
  • 28th row: Holbein stitch
  • 28th row: backstitch
    29th row: detached straight stitches (vertical)
  • The year, 2009, worked into the triangle row.
  • DMC 28 count linen, folded in half to double the thickness. I hate this fabric and will not use it again. It's very thin, and since I have to double it, I might as well pay twice as much and buy nicer fabric.
  • 8x8 inch q-snap frame. My favorite embroidery hoop.
  • Temporary running stitch worked in stranded DMC cotton. This is a guide to help me keep the edges straight. I will remove it when I'm done.
  • DMC Cotton Perle thread, size 8, color 321
  • Chenille needle, unknown size. I find it easier to use a chenille needle with pearl cotton because it has a large eye.
  • 30th row: backstitch, in progress.
  • I almost picked these triangles out several times. I don't like them. But I learned a lot from them, so I left them. My most important lesson was that the size and texture of the thread, and the fabric hand, should be taken into account when selecting the size and scale of stitches.

Redwork embroidery sampler

My redwork embroidery sampler, work in progress. Notes detail all the stitches and materials used.

Comments and faves

  1. ★

    inklore, lissaknit, Prim*Rose*Hill, the craftie magpie, and 107 other people added this photo to their favorites.

  2. gnataliet (45 months ago | reply)

    Stunning. I am really drawn to redwork and this is just gorg!

  3. katxn (45 months ago | reply)

    Thanks! It's been really fun to focus on the stitches and not worry about the color.

  4. anotarian (44 months ago | reply)

    is that pvc pipe holding it down?

  5. katxn (44 months ago | reply)

    It's an embroidery frame called the q-snap frame. It's a plastic square hoop with pvc clips. It's a bit more than pvc pipes cut in quarters, the clips are shaped and smoothed so that they don't catch on the fabric.

  6. Mel's Art & ATCs (44 months ago | reply)

    This is so lovely! And such perfect stitching! :D

  7. blueachilles (44 months ago | reply)

    Wow, patience is a virtue!! Post another pic when it's done.

  8. katxn (44 months ago | reply)

    Thanks! I'm not sure if it will ever really be done. Right now, I'm working angular stitches, then I'll move on to stars & knots, then loops and round stitches. It's going to be a while before I get through all that. :)

  9. Prim*Rose*Hill (44 months ago | reply)

    Really lovely!

  10. +marzipan+ (44 months ago | reply)

    What patience!! wonderful stitching x

  11. the.minouette (44 months ago | reply)

    So pretty!

  12. Lilia Sarah Maria Patterson (44 months ago | reply)

    very nice

  13. RriffRraff (42 months ago | reply)

    Wow! Kudos to you! I could never do such precision work! Lovely!

  14. Little Treasure (42 months ago | reply)

    A unique work of art!!

  15. made to treasure (42 months ago | reply)

    beautiful work...do you have a blog ....

  16. katxn (42 months ago | reply)

    Thanks! I don't have a craft blog. My blog is focused on other things. I'm a very slow crafter. I don't think a blog of my endeavors would be all that interesting.

  17. Bordados DaAna® (39 months ago | reply)

    how wonderful! thanks!

  18. med nål och tråd (39 months ago | reply)

    Beautiful redwork!

  19. page22 (38 months ago | reply)

    This is really beautiful. What count is the cloth? It's amazing how something so simple done exquisitely well can be so incredibly beautiful.

    EDIT: nm, maybe I should read? lol. I was just going to say, wouldn't doubling make it extra difficult to follow the grid?

  20. katxn (38 months ago | reply)

    Thanks! Doubling the fabric doesn't impair my ability to see the grid, but sometimes I have to wiggle the needle a bit to get it into the right place. After using a more expensive linen for another project, I've come to like this linen more -- it works really well for me at double the usual thickness.

  21. DANDA_LUX (38 months ago | reply)

    i LOVE IT
    HOW DID YOU LEARN IT??
    E-MAIL ME
    XOXOXO

  22. This photo was invited and added to the We Love French Knots group.

  23. This photo was invited and added to the &Stitches group.

  24. Bee's Knees Industries (16 months ago | reply)

    Whoa! This reminds me of a dot matrix printer, which makes me giggle.

  25. Zoesdare (16 months ago | reply)

    Just got my first Q-snap frame last night. It's amazing!

    I adore the list of the stitches! Great Work!

  26. katxn (16 months ago | reply)

    Thanks. I love the Q-snap frame. It's the best. @bee's knees, I never looked at it that way before, but now that's all I see!

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