Greek key edging hand embroidery pattern

Easy · 2 colors · 3 kinds of stitch

Greek key edging: preview of the stitched design

A Greek key band in navy back stitch runs between two ruled lines of gold stem stitch. The key is one line that turns in on itself and comes out again, key after key, running outward both ways from an opening at the middle that holds a small gold satin stitch square. Trace it again end to end for a longer hem, towel or tablecloth.

Size and details

Easy. Back stitch and stem stitch, with a little satin stitch.

2 colors of floss and 3 kinds of stitch:

The stitched size and the widest satin stitch, by hoop
Hoop	Inches	Centimeters	Satin stitch up to
3 in (8 cm)	1.9 × 0.4 in	4.8 × 1 cm	1/16 in (1.6 mm)
4 in (10 cm)	2.9 × 0.5 in	7.4 × 1.3 cm	1/8 in (3 mm)
5 in (13 cm)	3.9 × 0.7 in	9.9 × 1.8 cm	3/16 in (5 mm)
6 in (15 cm)	4.9 × 0.9 in	12.4 × 2.3 cm	3/16 in (5 mm)
8 in (20 cm)	6.8 × 1.3 in	17.3 × 3.3 cm	5/16 in (8 mm)

The pattern is drawn inside a circle about half an inch (1.3 cm) smaller all around than the hoop.

What you need

DMC 336 Navy BlueKey
DMC 3852 Very Dark StrawRuled lines and gold square

The floss is six-strand cotton; the stitch guide says how many strands to use. You also need a hoop, an embroidery needle (a size 7 to 9 suits two or three strands) and plain cotton or linen fabric. To frame the piece in its hoop, cut a square 3 inches (8 cm) wider than the hoop: a 9 inch (23 cm) square for a 6 inch hoop.

Stitch guide

Back stitch 2 strandsKey
Stem stitch 2 or 3 strandsRuled lines
Satin stitch 2 strandsGold square

Getting it onto your fabric

The PDF holds the pattern twice at actual size: once as drawn, and once mirrored for an iron-on transfer pen. Print it at 100% with scaling off and check the one-inch square (25.4 mm) with a ruler before you trace. How to transfer a pattern explains tracing, carbon paper and the other ways. The files are under Downloads.