Whipped Wheel Stitch Embroidery Tutorial
The whipped wheel goes by many names: ribbed spider web, whipped spider wheel, etc. Regardless of the name you call it, this stitch is a decorative fill stitch that involves wrapping the thread around foundational stitches. It can be used in a wide variety of ways and is usually circularly worked along foundational stitches.
First, I’ll show you how to make the whipped wheel to fill in a circular shape. Then, I’ll go over another interesting way of using it by showing you how to embroider a seashell.
Whipped Wheel Tutorial
The setup for this stitch is much the same as that of the woven rose stitch: first, foundational stitches are made, and then another piece of thread is gradually woven or wrapped around them along the surface of the fabric.
It’s helpful to have both an embroidery needle and a tapestry needle on hand. The first will pierce through the fabric, and the latter will be used once you start working along the spokes.
Draw a circle with a dot in the very center before you start.
Make 5 evenly spaced spokes starting from the center point and ending along the circle’s edge.
Come up with the needle and thread between two stitches near the center.
Place the needle under the first spoke, directly below the working thread.
Pull the thread through and proceed to the next stitch, placing the needle under it and pulling it through.
Once you get going, placing the needle under two spokes at a time will save you an extra step. Just make sure you’re placing the needle under the spokes below and above the working thread.
Work your way around in a circle, making stitches along each spoke.
When you get to the bottom of the circle, you may find it easiest to turn the work so you don’t have to switch hands.
Continue working the stitch until you’ve filled in the shape as desired.
Place the needle and thread down through the fabric underneath the stitches to finish the stitch.
Embroider A Seashell
This stitch can be worked along stitches that fan out. It is worked the same way, but there are a few considerations to remember when working rows of stitches instead of working your way around a circle.
Make 5 stitches that fan out along the shell.
Come up with the needle and thread between 2 of the stitches nearest to the edge.
Place the needle under the 2 stitches along the edge. Gently pull the working thread through, making sure not to pull the stitch too tight.
Place the needle underneath the 2nd and 3rd stitches.
Then, continue working under the 3rd and 4th, then the 4th and 5th, until you reach the edge of the shape.
Make a stitch under the 5th stitch and pull it through.
Now, we’ll work these stitches in the opposite direction. For a smooth transition, place your needle under the second-to-last stitch and pull through.
Then, make a stitch under the 2nd and 3rd to the last stitches, repeating this pattern all the way down the row.
Alternate different shades of colors along the shape to create some gradients of color.
Once you reach the very top of the shape, you may need to skip the stitches along the edges to completely fill in the top of the other stitches.
Fill in the base of the seashell with satin stitches.
Similar Stitches
When I first learned this stitch, I had lightbulbs go off. I realized there were quite a few similarities with several other stitches. Here are a few comparisons if you’re curious.
Raised Stem Stitch Vs Whipped Wheel
You may wonder, isn’t this technique similar to the raised stem stitch?
Yes! It is worked in a very similar way.
The main difference is that the foundational stitches for the raised stem stitch are usually made parallel to one another, and the stitches are made around them so that the thread in between the foundational stitches is more prominent instead of the ribbing that forms along the foundation stitches of the whipped wheel. It creates the complete opposite texture to that of the ribbed stitch!
Woven Rose Vs Whipped Wheel
The woven rose stitch is woven under and over the foundational spokes. In contrast, the thread is wrapped around each foundational spoke with the whipped wheel.
If you had a good time learning this stitch, I have a large index of embroidery stitches. You may also find this raised embroidery stitch sampler fun and challenging.
Amanda is a hand embroidery teacher and artist. With over 15 years of experience in the craft industry and embroidery, she owns and runs Crewel Ghoul, sharing accessible tutorials and patterns to help inspire fellow crafters to get creative. In addition to running this website, she teaches on Skillshare and Youtube.
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