Woven Circle Stitch

Do you need to embroider a small circle?  Try the woven circle stitch!

The woven circle is a beautiful, decorative hand embroidery stitch that can be made on any type of fabric.  The stitch is made by weaving a circle around four straight stitches that have a gap between them.

Although the woven circle embroidery stitch is not a basic or common embroidery stitch, it is an easy-to-learn hand embroidery stitch that has numerous uses which are discussed at the end of this article.

Learn how to do the woven circle stitch by watching this video or continue reading this post for step-by-step instructions.

These little circles are incredibly versatile because depending on the placement and length of the straight stitch and the gap between them, you can make different size circles and even oblong shapes.  

WHAT you will need TO embroider the woven circle STITCH:

• Any Fabric
• Embroidery Thread
• Embroidery Hoop
• Tapestry Needle

How many strands of embroidery floss do you need to make the woven circle embroidery stitch?

The number of strands of floss depends on the design, but the recommendation is from 2 to 6 strands.  Start with two strands of floss for a finer design and increase the number of stands according to your design.

If using an even number of strands of floss, consider using the Loop Method for Anchoring Floss to begin your floss neatly.

Woven circle Stitch step-by-step instructions:

STEP 1: 

First work four straight stitches with a gap between them; similar to the above photo.

STEP 2: 

With the same color or different color thread, bring the needle up from the backside of the fabric at the end of one of the straight stitches. 

STEP 3: 

Slide the needle under each straight stitch in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to form a circle being careful not to pierce the floss.  You are weaving the thread between the fabric and the stitch.

STEP 4: 

After completing the circle you can stop here or go around a second time.

STEP 5: 

To finish the circle, insert the needle back into the same hole that you came up though at the beginning.

The woven circle is complete.

The finished woven circle will look like the above photo.

Use this no-knot method to end the floss and keep the back of the project looking neat.

when can you use the woven circle stitch?

• This stitch is one of the stitches used in chicken scratch embroidery.
• This pretty decorative stitch can be used alone or as a filler stitch.
• Think embellishment - use the stitch as an embellishment on a project with a bead in the center.
• In hand embroidery, add a few French knots in the center to make little flowers.
• As a crazy quilt embroidery stitch.

Above is an example of the woven circle embroidery stitch used in a Chicken Scratch Christmas Tree pattern.

Try a chicken scratch embroidery project or use this stitch for your next floral embroidery project.

We hope you enjoyed this tutorial on how to make the woven circle embroidery stitch.  You may want to check out our Needlework Stitch and Topic Pinterest Board which has links to stitch tutorials, conversion charts, color charts and pattern generators.

more stitches

• Blanket Stitch Tutorial
• Feather Stitch
• Algerian Eye Stitch
• Long & Short Blanket Stitch
• Basket Weave Stitch
• Cable Embroidery Stitch
• Herringbone Stitch
• Lazy Daisy Stitch

For even more stitches, go to our hand embroidery stitches tutorial page.