Simple Flower

What you will learn

• Changing colours
• Counting between colour areas

Materials and tools

• 14-count Aida, 5 in (13 cm) square
• Tapestry needle size 24
• Floss: pink DMC 3326, yellow DMC 743, green DMC 702
• Embroidery scissors

Pattern chart

1. Cut the Aida at least 2 in (5 cm) larger than the design on every side. Fold it in half both ways and pinch to find the centre.
2. Find the centre of the chart using the arrows on its top and left edges.
3. Thread the needle with 2 strands and start with a loop start or by holding the tail under your first stitches.
4. Begin at the centre and work outward, one colour at a time. Count carefully from stitches you have already made.
5. Stitch the yellow centre first, a 3 by 3 block. It is your landmark.
6. Stitch the pink petals round it, counting outward from the yellow.
7. Stitch the green stem and leaves last, starting directly below the centre column of the flower.
8. Check the chart for missed squares. Finish all ends under the backs of stitches.
9. Wash, dry and press face down on a towel.

Tips for a neat result

• Every top leg must slant the same way across the whole piece.
• Tick off rows on a printed copy of the chart as you finish them.

Common mistakes and fixes

Check your result

• All crosses have the top leg slanting the same way.
• The stitch count matches the chart.
• The back is flat with no long carried threads.