Embroidery Stitches Step-by-Step

The most comprehensive visual stitch reference for hand embroiderers at any level, published by DK and covering more than 200 stitches with close-up photography and clear step-by-step illustrations. Originally published in 2007 and substantially updated in 2022, this is Ganderton’s definitive work.

Why Start Here

Ganderton organizes stitches by type, from basic line stitches and filling stitches to more advanced techniques like stumpwork and needlepoint. Each stitch gets its own spread with numbered steps and high-quality photos showing exactly how the needle moves through the fabric. The book opens with an essential section on materials, covering fabrics, needles, threads, hoops, and design transfer methods.

The at-a-glance stitch gallery lets you browse finished examples of every stitch and choose the right one for your project before diving into the full instructions. It is both a learning tool for beginners and a reference that experienced stitchers return to regularly.

What to Expect

A well-organized hardcover at 160 pages with full-color photography throughout. The difficulty ramps up gradually from running stitch and backstitch through chain stitches, blanket stitches, cross stitch, and decorative filling techniques. This is a stitch encyclopedia, not a project book, so you will want to pair it with a pattern resource once you have the fundamentals down.