Rhodes Heart Stitch

The Rhodes Heart Stitch is a beautiful counted embroidery stitch that creates a raised, heart-shaped design with a lovely textured finish. Part of the Rhodes Stitch family, this variation uses a series of carefully placed straight stitches that overlap in a particular sequence to form a softly padded heart. The finished stitch has a smooth, dimensional appearance that catches the light beautifully, especially when worked with silk or other specialty threads.

This intermediate stitch is designed for stitchers who are already comfortable working counted cross stitches on linen and are ready to explore more decorative techniques. You'll enjoy step-by-step video lessons, along with helpful downloadable documents, including Stitching Basics and a special cross stitch pattern designed to help you practise your new skills.

The Rhodes Heart Stitch requires a little more attention to counting and stitch placement than some beginner stitches, but once you understand the sequence, you'll find it both enjoyable and rewarding. It's a lovely stitch to use as a decorative accent in samplers, hearts, floral designs, and other counted needlework projects. You'll discover how the overlapping stitches create their own beautiful texture and dimension.

If you're new to counted stitching on linen, I recommend taking my Introduction to Cross Stitching on Linen course first. Linen provides the evenly spaced threads needed for accurate stitch placement, making it especially suitable for decorative counted stitches like the Rhodes Heart.

Join me as we explore the Rhodes Heart Stitch together, practising on a doodle cloth at your own pace. Enjoy learning something new, and feel free to share your stitching progress and finished work on social media. I'd love to see what you create!