Detached Chain is often one of the first stitches people learn. Many people call this stitch: ‘daisy stitch’, ‘lazy daisy stitch’, ‘tall chain stitch’, ‘loop stitch’, ‘tied loop stitch’, ‘picot stitch’, and ‘knotted knot stitch’. But don’t let those names lead you into thinking that you can only make flowers with it.
What’s in a Name?
We call Detached Chain by that name because that is what it is, a single chain stitch. You can use it to create all sorts of patterns and textures. For instance, I stitched the sample above on hand-dyed Aida cloth. I arranged the Detached chain stitches in a grid and secured the sequins with a seed bead in the spaces. It is a pattern that you can use to work on a small item such as a bag or purse, for instance.
This sample makes a really nice border pattern. I have arranged the detached chain stitches in sets of three in a fan shape. In addition, I secured the centre detached chain stitch with a small chain rather than a straight stitch. And I have added a seed bead to the head of the stitches. I worked the next sample over sequin waste to create a medallion pattern.
How to work Lazy Daisy or Detached Chain stitch
Bring the needle up through the fabric and hold the thread with the left thumb. Insert the needle as illustrated, so that the point emerges a short distance away.
With the thread wrapped under the needle’s point, pull the needle through the fabric.
To fasten the loop, make a small straight stitch.
As you can see, you can easily work the stitch in a circle to create flower shapes.
The next 2 samples are Detached Chain stitches used in crazy quilting.
In this sample, I combined Detached Chain with straight stitches and seed and novelty beads to work along the edge of lace. The thread I used was cotton perle #5.
In this sample, I used Detached Chain along the edge of lace. If you want to see this detail in context you can see the whole block and have the pattern for Block 99 free.
Have you seen my Stitchers Templates?
Create your own designs with Sharon’s easy-to-use stitchers templates. Combine shapes to create hundreds of patterns and designs to embroider. It is the ultimate mix-and-match fun for stitchers of all skill levels. I created them to be as versatile as possible. I include four multi-patterned templates in each set. You will find them easy to use, totally clear to help you position them on your work, and they are nice and compact to fit in your sewing box. Each set comes with an e-book filled with patterns and designs that you can create and use as a jumping-off spot for your own designs. They are available now in our shop here!
Happy stitching!
Here is my TAST 2021 sampler after adding detached chain stitches.
http://hobbysewing.blogspot.com/2021/05/tast-7-beyond-tast-7-detached-chain.html
This is one of my favourite stitches. My samples are here.
http://hobbysewing.blogspot.com/2020/09/tast-7-beyond-tast-7.html
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Week 4 of 2018 TAST: https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/01/tast-detached-chain-stitch/
Thanks, Sharon!
Detached Chain Stitch added to the table runner. Tried for a double detached chain with some gold to give it a little sparkle: https://chasehandcraft.com/2018/01/28/detached-chain-stitch-tast-4/
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Here is my detached chain sample – http://hokkaidokudasai.blogspot.jp/2015/09/take-stitch-tuesday-7-detached-chain.html
Thanks!
I am stitching on paper as my challenge. The first 7 stitches are at this post. (I am posting once a month.)
http://sandysnowden.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/stitch-on-it-1-7.html
Sandy in the UK
PS.I have had a hard time for this to post! this is the 3rd browser attempt.
worked!
Thank you for this beautiful stitch
I like much to do this stitch…and l have learned much more
with your clear instructions…Thank you
I combined several TAST stitches that I missed into one project:
http://magicmoonmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/tast-2012-catch-up-week.html
Finally posted my week 7: http://blog.fiberholic.net/2012/03/tast-week-7-detached-chain-stitch.html
http://momtasticstitchery.blogspot.com/2012/03/touch-my-stitches-16-detached-chain.html
Catching up on Week 7's Stitch!
Here's my lazy daisy! http://www.marriedtoabmw.com/2012/03/tast-weeks-7-8.html
My detached chain on stitchin fingers http://stitchinfingers.ning.com/photo/wk7-detached-chain-stitch
Here's my week 7 sample – better late than never!
http://silentcompanions.blogspot.com/2012/02/tast-challenge-week-7-detached-chain.html
My stitches for this week : http://artwhiz.blogspot.in/2012/02/tast-2012-lazy-daisy.html
I finally did get my Lazy daisy stitch pic up. I thought i had it there but there must have been a glitch so I just posted it again.. Please go here if you want to take a gander…thanks Sharon
http://sharon-dancingthruthreads.blogspot.com/2012/02/tast-stitch-lazy-daisy.html
IWeek 7 Detached Chain stitch was a new one for me as I had only done chain and daisy stitch. My blog is http://timeusebybernice.wordpress.com/
Hi Sharon,
haven't been able to do much embroidery the last few weeks… At least I'm still persevering with my sampler.
Here are some pics – end of week 7. A bit disappointing, though.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/72752445@N07/
I'll be uploading to Stitching Fingers shortly.
Best (and thanks, again)
Liana
Here's my week 7: http://aurora-lee.ca/Creative/?p=1259
Flickered: http://www.flickr.com/photos/playswithfibers/
Week 7 is up on my blog. Enjoy! http://quiltisland.blogspot.com/2012/02/tast-7-lazy-daisy.html
I am down to the wire on this one. I wanted to post mine before I go to work this morning. My examples of detached chain can be seen here: http://karrinscrazyworld.blogspot.com/
My lazy daisy / detached chain stitches:
http://kidsbyhand.wordpress.com/2012/02/20/tast-week-7/
My daughter wouldn't let me post hers again this week… she is such a perfectionist. I'm going to have to work on her! She tried several individual stitches, and then made a little daisy out of pink perle cotton.
I've just done something small for the Detached Chain Stitch, and finished the block it's on. http://so-susan.blogspot.com/2012/02/unchain-my-heart.html Nothing earth-shattering, but I'm just learning the stitches. I'm amazed and awed by the work some of you do!
Hi Sharon and all, there seemed to be a problem with my blog overnight but it seems to be all fixed now. Like a lot of the others, I have been working detached chain stitch for many years. I enjoyed making my little picture with it. It is here on my blog: http://dinkydideequilts.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/sunday-night.html
My stitching is here: http://zemugne.blogspot.com/2012/02/grandineles-is-nesujungtu-kilpu.html Preparing for Easter…
Hi Sharon ! I'm a new hands and it's the first time I make the tast. I love your blog, thanks for all, I can learn embroidery and english too !
My sample is on my blog:
http://nico-tine.over-blog.com/article-take-a-stitch-tuesday-week-7-99682516.html
I am a little late this week but please view my sampler.
http://eclecticlamb.wordpress.com/2012/02/19/week-7-tast-detached-chain-stitch/
Hi Sharon, \my completed dtached chain sampler is on my blog-
http://jizee6687.wordpress.com/category/tast-2012/07-detached-chain-stitch2/
Thanks,
Chitra
I've finally caught up with you guys! Here's my post for this week: http://heegeldab.blogspot.com/2012/02/linnusilmapiste-detached-chain-stitch.html
A nice stitch to play with … http://silkandstitch.blogspot.com/2012/02/detached-chain-stitch-tast-2012.html
I am getting frustrated. I am keeping up with TAST. My camera does not want to work. GRRRRR…. When I get it fixed, there will be lots of stitches to see.