Embroidering with Chain Stitch

Chain stitch is a stitch that makes a chunky line. It is very versatile and can be used in a lot of ways.

A single chain on its own is called a detatched chain or lazy daisy.

See it all

Below you will find:

• Video tutorial
• Inspiration for when to use chain stitch
• Tutorial with images
• Variations of chain stitch
• Projects that use chain stitch

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When to use chain stitch

• outlining
• borders
• stripes
• fillers
• vines
• branches
• snakes, caterpillars or any other long creepy animals

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Chain Stitch Tutorial

Basic chain stitch

Bring the needle up to the surface.

Put the needle in the same hole (or very close to it) that the thread came up and take a small stitch.  Catch the thread under the needle.  Pull thread through.  This should look like the start of a lazy daisy.

Instead tacking the loop down, put the needle in the hole you just came out of of, and repeat.

Continue for as long as you want the line to be.  Tack down the final stitch when you get to the end.

Lines can be straight, curved, long or short.  Chain stitch is very versatile.

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Chain Stitch Variations

Wrapped chain stitch

Wrapping a chain stitch with another thread gives a different look to it.

See Wrapped Chain stitch tutorial

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Double Wrapped chain stitch

Double wrapping chain stitch makes a line with a lot of dimension and texture.

See Double Wrapped Chain stitch tutorial

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Laced chain stitch

Lacing chain stitch gives a little accent.

See Laced Chain stitch tutorial.

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Two-colour Laced chain stitch

Lacing chain stitch with a different colour gives a bit of interest.

See Two-colour Laced chain stitch tutorial.

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Double Laced chain stitch

Double lacing chain stitch gives it a nice border. It’s an interesting way to add both colour and dimension.

See Double Laced chain stitch tutorial.

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Two colour chain

Two colour chain stitch is almost magical. Alternate chain colours with only one row of stitching.

See Two Colour chain stitch tutorial.

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Open chain

aka: square chain, Roman chain

This stitch doesn’t look like the basic chain stitch, but it is done in a similar manner.

See Open Chain stitch tutorial.

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Cable chain

This chain variation has spaced between the “links” that make it look like a real chain.

See Cable Chain stitch tutorial.

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Rope

Rope stitch is a line with overlapping chains and lots of texture.

See Rope stitch tutorial.

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Double chain

This variation doesn’t even look like chain stitch, but it is the same technique. Chains are alternated to the left and right.

See Double Chain stitch tutorial.

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Raised chain

This chain stitch is worked on a base of parallel straight stitches.

See Raised Chain stitch tutorial.

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Twisted chain

Twisting the links of chain stitch totally change the look.

See Twisted Chain stitch tutorial.

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Lazy Daisy

aka: detatched chain stitch

Lazy daisy is a single link on its own. These can be used individually, but they are commonly used in groups to make flowers.

See Lazy Daisy stitch tutorial

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Fly

Fly stitch is a stand alone stitch that looks like birds or butterflies.

See Fly stitch tutorial.

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Wheatear

This unique stitch is named because it looks like a piece of wheat. It can be used alone or in groups.

See Wheatear stitch tutorial.

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Tete-de-boeuf

The name is French for “bull’s head”, which is exactly what it looks like. These stitches can be used alone or in groups.

See Tete-de-boeuf stitch tutorial.

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Rosette chain

This pretty variation of a chain stitch can be used in many ways.

See Rosette chain stitch tutorial.

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Feathered chain

Combine feather stitch and chain stitch in a fun variation.

See Feathered chain stitch tutorial.

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Zig Zag chain

Add a zig zag to play with basic chain stitch.

See Zig Zag chain stitch tutorial.

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