Oyster Stitch

Oyster Stitch

Hand embroidery stitches / Stitch Dictionary
oyster stitch sample

The Oyster stitch is a member of the chain stitch family and although it looks complex, it is not difficult. Oyster stitch is also very versatile, as you can often adapt it to use in situations where you would use chain stitch. It creates a textured, slightly raised, stitch that is fun to work and adds variety to your hand embroidery. When worked in a line, Oyster stitch becomes Knotted Cable Chain stitch. You can also work a beaded variety. I wrote a tutorial on Beaded oyster stitch here.

oyster stitch sample8

Step-by-step instructions on how to do Oyster Stitch

You start Oyster stitch with a twisted chain stitch.

oyster stitch step by step tutorial 1

Commence, by bringing the thread to the front of the fabric, insert the needle, and take a bit of fabric with the tip pointed downwards. Wrap the needle as you would a twisted chain. In other words, cross the working thread over the needle, then wrap the thread under the needle.

oyster stitch step by step tutorial 2

Pull the needle through the fabric to create a twisted chain stitch. Pull your working thread snug, until the loop lies flat, but not so tight that it pulls on the fabric.

oyster stitch step by step tutorial 3

Pass the needle under the right-hand top thread above the loop that has formed. Slide the needle through without picking up the foundation fabric.

oyster stitch step by step tutorial 4

Pull the thread through.

oyster stitch step by step tutorial 5

Insert the needle through the fabric at the top of the stitch, with the needle pointed downwards, slide it behind the knot so that the needle exits the cloth at the base as illustrated.

oyster stitch step by step tutorial 6

Loop the thread under the needle (as you would for a chain stitch) and pull the needle through. Tie it off by taking your thread to the back of the fabric, as you would a detached chain stitch.

oyster stitch step by step tutorial 8

It can be used as buds in floral motifs or worked in a circle with the stitches pointing outwards to create flowers.

oyster stitch sample 5


If you extend the last tie-off stitch that secures the chain, to a long straight stitch you have another variety.

oyster stitch sample 6

You can make these point toward the middle of the circle or outwards to create daisy and flower-like motifs.

oyster stitch sample 4

These samples were worked using a cotton perle #5 thread that is variegated.

oyster stitch sample7

It has a highly textured appearance so sprinklings of this stitch in contemporary work produce a knobbly relief, particularly when worked in a thread with a good twist or a fine ribbon.

oyster stitch sample 3

And of course, it is great for crazy quilting.

Crazy quilt detail 509

Here I worked the seam using a hand-dyed cotton thread that is the same thickness as perle #5 I worked Up and Down Buttonhole stitch. At the bottom of the ‘arms’ then worked Oyster stitch in rayon ribbon floss that was hand dyed. This crazy quilt seam detail comes from block 77 in the I Dropped the Button Box series. You can see that block here

I hope you enjoy the stitch!

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Thread Twisties!


Experimenting with different threads can be expensive. You would normally have to buy a whole skein of each type of thread. My thread twisties are a combination of different threads to use in creative hand embroidery. These enable you to try out stitching with something other than stranded cotton. For the price of just a few skeins, you can experiment with a bundle of threads of luscious colours and many different textures.

These are creative embroiders threads. With them, I hope to encourage you to experiment. Each Twistie is a thread bundle containing silk, cotton, rayon and wool. Threads range from extra fine (the same thickness as 1 strand of embroidery floss) to chunky couchable textured yarns. All threads have a soft and manageable drape. Twisting them around a needle makes experimental hand embroidery an interesting journey rather than a battle.  Many are hand dyed by me. All are threads I use. You may find a similar thread twist but no two are identical.

You will find my thread twisties in the Pintangle shop here.

 

65 Comments

    1. JOWynn you make me laugh -I sort of have my favourites and I guess I share them most but I do have moments where I think “this stitch is annoying or frustrating”

      sharonb
      Reply

  7. The oyster stitch is so pretty. There are so many things to create with it. I will set down and try it today. I imagine it will look more impressive with a good thickness of thread. You open up so many creative juices with your tutorials. Thank you. patty

    Patty j.
    Reply

  40. My results for week 22 to 30 are uploaded. I really got the kick out of oyster stitch which was new to me like bonnet stitch and basque stitch. Great to get to know them!

    Brigitte Otto
    Reply

  59. Dear Sharon,
    I caught up with my TAST-piece this morning. I may have found my Nemesis: Basque stitch. I just couldn’t get the tension right. I did like bonnet stitch as it produces nice outlines. Oyster stitch was ok, but a bit too messy to my taste. I can see this stitch being very effective as a flower bud, though. My favourite was clearly the up and down buttonhole stitch. It is sure to become a stitch I will use more and more in my stitching.
    Have a nice day, Jessica

    Jessica Grimm
    Reply

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