Rhode Rage Sampler

Teacher: Laurie Capponi

Laurie will take us on an adventure with the Rhode Stitch.

Rhode Rage is a seasonal sampler that uses a variety of Rhodes stitches to illustrate each month of the year. Twelve monthly motifs—ranging from a delicate snowflake for January to a festive evergreen for December—surround the central biblical quote.

The instructions for Rhode Rage can be downloaded through Petite Project section from the Nation EGA website. You must be a member to download the PDF instructions.

The Project Details for Rhode Rage

The finished project is approximately 5 ¼" square. While designated for intermediate stitchers, enthusiastic beginners are welcome if they are comfortable reading charts for stitching over one and two threads and can use a laying tool.

This project can be divided into three logical parts to help you manage your progress:

• Part 1: The Grid – A cross-stitch frame that defines the twelve monthly sections.  

• Part 2: Monthly Motifs – The heart of the project, featuring various Rhodes stitches (such as heart, snowflake, and butterfly shapes), as well as colonial knots, back stitching, and satin stitches.  

• Part 3: Lettering – Detailed back stitching for the central quote. You can replace the quote with your own saying, but you will need to chart it out yourself. Please reach out to our members if you need any help.

Needle Art Technique:

• Rhodes Stitch

• Cross Stitch

• Backstitch

Materials

• 10" square of 28-count linen or evenweave (The sample uses Lugana).

• Optional: A doodle cloth of similar count for practicing new stitches.

• Threads (DMC 6-strand cotton floss)

  • 052 Variegated Violet

  • 093 Variegated Cornflower Blue

  • 115 Variegated Garnet

  • 700 Green Bright

  • 740 Tangerine

  • 779 Brown

  • 4120 Color Variations – Tropical Sunset

  • 4128 Color Variations – Gold Coast

  • 4130 Color Variations – Chilean Sunset

  • E130 Light Effects – Gemstone

• Kreinik Blending Filament 032 Pearl

Supplies

• Needles: 26 or 28 tapestry needle

• Frame: 10" stretcher bars are preferred (alternatively, an 8" hoop may be used, though care must be taken not to "squish" the dimensional Rhodes stitches)

• Laying Tool: Essential for maintaining the parallel threads in Rhodes stitches when using multiple strands. You can also use a larger needle as a laying tool.

• Miscellaneous: Tacks (for stretcher bars) and embroidery scissors

Resources:

https://egausa.org/petite-projects/

We look forward to seeing everyone in May for this exciting technical journey through the seasons!

Please add your progress or finished project in the comments!

*Rhode Rage designed by Heather Lynn Gitlin. Image courtesy of https://egausa.org/petite-projects/.