Triple Chain Stitch

I found this stitch in Edith Johns’ Creative Stitches (p44) and it’s heaps of fun. Triple Chain is easy, quick and simple to work, as it is a chain stitch with two side stitches.

It can be very effective, particularly if you vary the height or angle of the chain stitches down the side. You can easily add beads or lace novelty threads through the loops. You can use a variety of threads from fine cotton perle to silk ribbon.

How to work Triple Chain stitch

Start with a chain stitch.

Bring the thread to the front of the fabric and insert the needle close to where the thread emerges.

Take the needle through the fabric, bringing the point of the needle out a short space along the line to be stitched. With the thread wrapped under the needle’s point, pull the needle through the fabric to form a loop.

Take your needle to the back of the fabric forming a small straight stitch over the loop, to hold the chain down.

This creates the first chain.

Rotate your work clockwise, to work a second chain stitch placed at right angles to the first stitch.

Make sure the chain stitch tie is pointed to the middle of the line.

Rotate your work again to work another chain stitch on the other side of the central line.

The tie stitch should point to the middle.

Insert your needle into the middle of the first chain stitch, just above the first tie and make a chain stitch.

Make another chain stitch.

Once again turn your work to make each of the two wings. Repeat the process along the line.

I hope you enjoy this stitch!

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