Three weeks ago I gave you a peek of my new project, a phenology wheel. These are illustrated records of the year, usually of nature, in a wheel pattern. If you google them you’ll see lots of examples. I’ve wanted to stitch one for a while, you can get templates on Etsy but I could never find one that was just what I wanted at the right time for me to start stitching it. I was delighted when Skipton Stitchers decided this would be a group challenge this year.

We were given the choice of fonts and size, most people have gone for this size which comfortably fits in a 10″ hoop. The design was printed on Stick and Stitch which feels a bit like thin interfacing stuck on paper, this could then be ironed onto our chosen fabric. Once the embroidery is complete a quick rinse dissolves it. I washed mine once I’d stitched the outline and the letters as apparently it can be difficult to remove if it’s densely stitched.

I stitched the outline in split stitch using a variegated green perle thread, I haven’t decided if I’m going to whip stitch it yet or what I’m going to put in the centre of the wheel.

The seasons are stitched with a variegated DMC thread using chain stitch. I wasn’t quite sure how the lighter shades would work out but once it was washed I was happy with the effect. The months are embroidered with DMC4040 which is a variegated green and a split stitch, it looks a bit thick really but it’s legible!

I’ve decided to illustrate mine with flowers and leaves either from my garden or the back lane. For January I chose snowdrops. We have a large number of snowdrops up near the pond, my mum gave me a bunch from her garden many years ago and they’ve been quietly spreading ever since.

I drew the outline with a fine frixion pen before embroidering it with DMC threads. I embroidered them with stem stitch and long and short stitch. I need to iron off the markings before I decide if it needs more green on the petals but I need to stitch February first so I don’t accidently remove those too!

As you can see I haven’t started February yet and we’re nearly at the end of March! February is catkins, which have been lovely this year on the back lane. For March I’m thinking of primroses as they’re easier to stitch than daffodils!!

Please visit the other blogs that are also taking part in this SAL. There are lots of different projects to enjoy. The participants live all over the world so you may need to allow for time differences. Click the links to their blogs below and see what they’re up to.

Our next updates will be published on 12th April 2026.

Avis, Claire, Kathy, Margaret,

Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie,

Linda, MaryMargaret, Cindy, Helen