Spider Web Stitch (Woven Wheel Stitch) Easy Guide

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Spider web stitch, also known as woven wheel stitch, is a beautiful embroidery stitch used for flowers, webs, wheels, and decorative circular designs. This easy tutorial shows you exactly how to create spider web stitch for your next embroidery project.

What is Spider Web Stitch?

A spider web stitch is a delicate, round embroidery stitch that has a dramatic effect on a piece of embroidery. Its variations include the whipped spider’s web stitch or ribbed web stitch. The threads that radiate out from the center look like the spokes of a wheel and can be as long or short as you like. If you have even done simple loom weaving, you will notice the similarity in technique.

Spider web stitch is most commonly used to embroider roses, flowers, spider webs, wheels, and circular motifs. By changing the thread color and how densely you weave the spokes, you can create everything from realistic flowers to decorative web designs. It is a popular stitch for beginners because it uses simple straight stitches followed by an easy weaving technique.

Don’t just think of spider webs! Web stitches can make lovely embroidery roses when sewn densely. You can use a chain stitch for the leaves and the web for the main flower.

How to Embroider Spider Web Stitch (Step by Step)

Spider Web Stitch Supplies

Here are the supplies you will need to make the spider web stitch:

Fabric: You can do this stitch on any type of fabric. Aida cloth is often used for embroidery, and I used an unbleached calico for my samples.
Needle: Hand needle or embroidery needle with a large eye for thicker threads.
Thread: Embroidery floss is commonly used, but I have made web stitch flowers with yarn as well. You may choose contrasting threads for the spokes and weave, or they may match like my rose embroidery above.
Hoop: As you spiral the stitches towards the outside, the fabric has a tendency to pucker if you don’t use an embroidery hoop.

1. Mark the Circle

Draw a circle where you want to embroider your web stitch. The edges of the circle will show when the stitch is finished, so use a removable fabric pen or tailor’s chalk that won’t show in the finished product.

When testing this stitch, draw circles of 1 inch (2.5cm) or smaller. After you are confident, the circles can be drawn any size. However, really large circles can be prone to catching and puckering. Then, bring your thread up from underneath through the center of the circle.

2. Stitch The Spokes

Draw 5 evenly spaced dots around the circumference of the circle and make five straight stitches out to the five points around the circle. You do this by putting the needle down into the first dot and then coming up at the center again. Then move to the next dot. This creates the five spokes of the wheel you are going to weave.

Spokes radiating from center in blue thread

EMBROIDERY TIP: For larger circles, you can make more than 5 spokes. Just make sure you have an uneven number.

3. Start Weaving

Bring a contrasting or same-colored thread up between two of the spokes. I think the web stitch looks more like a spider web when you use a contrasting thread and more like a flower when you use a matching thread. Think about what end result you want to create.

This is the point where you will begin to weave your color around the five points of thread. Go around the spokes in an up-and-down motion. One spoke up, and the next spoke under. You do not pierce the fabric at this stage. The weaving takes place between the 5 threads on top of the fabric.

Weave over and under each thread as you go around the spokes.

4. Repeat for More Web Wheels

Keep weaving around the spokes until you have the desired look. You don’t necessarily have to weave all the way to the outer edge.

If you stop weaving halfway, it looks more like a spider’s web, and if you weave all the way to the very edge, it looks more like a rose. Start weaving and see how you like the look of your web.

TIP: Keep the thread tight at the beginning, but loosen it up as you go along to prevent puckering. If you pull too tight on the outer edges, it won’t look as neat.

5. Knot Off

Finish off the spider web stitch by passing the thread to the back and weaving your thread under the stitching.

Spider Web Stitch samples in assorted sizes

What Can You Use Spider Web Stitch For?

Roses
Flowers
Spider webs
Wheels
Decorative borders
Floral embroidery
Crazy quilting

EMBroidery templates

300

shop designs

EMBroidery templates

Cats

shop cats

EMBroidery templates

Letters

shop letTers

Common Mistakes When Sewing Spider Web Stitch

Using an Even Number of Spokes: Spider web stitch works best with an uneven number of spokes. This allows the weaving pattern to alternate correctly as you work around the wheel.
Pulling the Weaving Too Tight: Tight tension can cause the fabric to pucker, especially near the outer edge of the circle. Loosen the thread slightly as the woven wheel grows.
Skipping the Embroidery Hoop: The fabric can pucker as you spiral outward. Using a hoop helps keep the fabric taut and the finished stitch neat.

Web Stitch Embroidery FAQs

Can beginners learn spider web stitch?

Yes, spider web stitch is considered a beginner-friendly embroidery stitch. Once you have stitched the spokes, the weaving process is simple and easy to master with a little practice.

What thread is best for spider web stitch?

Embroidery floss is the most common choice for spider web stitch, but you can also use pearl cotton, ribbon, or yarn for larger decorative flowers and textured designs.

Why is my spider web stitch puckering?

Puckering is usually caused by pulling the weaving thread too tightly. Using an embroidery hoop and loosening the tension slightly as you work outward will help keep the stitch flat and even.

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Web Stitch – In Conclusion

Spider web stitch is one of the easiest decorative embroidery stitches to learn. Whether you’re creating roses, flowers, spider webs, or circular motifs, this versatile stitch adds beautiful texture to hand embroidery projects. Once you’ve mastered the basic woven wheel technique, experiment with different thread types and colors to create unique embroidered designs.