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Linked chain and Beaded Link Chain Stitch Tutorial

Linked chain and Beaded Link Chain Stitch Tutorial

Linked Chain Stitch is an interesting linear stitch which produces a thick line that follows a curve well. You can use it wherever a strong line is needed or if you want to outline an area. The beaded version is particularly nice.

You need to know how to work basic chain stitch and these instructions are worked using cotton perle #5 thread

How to work Linked Chain stitch

Linked chain stitch is worked from top to bottom

Linked Chain stitch step 1Begin by making a slightly long chain stitch.

Linked Chain stitchTurn your needle and make a back stitch so that the needle tip emerges from the middle of the first chain, as illustrated in the photograph.

Linked Chain stitch 3Pull your thread through so that it is now emerging from the middle of the first chain stitch.

Linked Chain stitch 4Insert you needle where the thread emerges and make another chain stitch.

Linked Chain stitch 5Continue making stitches in this forward and back motion down the line.

Linked Chain stitch 6When you reach the end you will need to make a small, extra straight stitch to finish the line neatly.

Linked Chain stitch 7

How to work Beaded Linked Chain stitch

Now the beaded version is very exciting — but first, please read this tip!

In order to work this stitch use a size 26 tapestry needle. Since the eye of a tapestry needle is long you can thread perle #8 and Perle #5 through the long eye. However, the needle itself is thin which means you can add a bead to your working thread as you stitch. The Beading is not done afterwards but during the stitching process.

As with Linked chain stitch, the beaded version is worked from top to bottom

Beaded Linked Chain stitch 1Begin by making a slightly long chain stitch. Keep it loose and don’t pull too tight as you want the bead to sit between the chain.  Thread a bead on to your working thread and push it near your work as I have illustrated.

Beaded Linked Chain stitch step 2Turn your needle and make a backstitch so that the needle tip emerges in the middle of the first chain as illustrated in the photograph. Push the bead into position.

Beaded Linked Chain stitch 3Pull your thread through so that it is now emerging from the middle of the first chain stitch as you would with regular Linked chain stitch.

Beaded Linked Chain stitch 4Insert you needle where the thread emerges and make another chain stitch as illustrated.

Beaded Linked Chain stitch 5Continue making stitches in this forward and back motion down the line adding beads to the backstitch.

As you can see, you end up with a thick line of chain stitches with a line of beads stitched down the middle! It is a really versatile beaded stitch as it will follow a curved line with ease. You can work it in circles to create patterns or freeform ‘scribbles’ that have that little extra sparkle.  Have fun with it and it’s not difficult if you use the needle I recommended.



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