Interlaced Up and Down Buttonhole Stitch Tutorial

Interlaced Up and Down Buttonhole

Interlaced Up and Down Buttonhole is an interesting variety of buttonhole that consists of two rows interlaced, as you work them back-to-back. It forms a really attractive band that is ideal to use on a border, a seam decoration on a crazy quilt, or if you work it row upon row, it makes a very nice fill too. You can also add beads for extra zest.

How to work Interlaced Up and Down Buttonhole Stitch

You need to be familiar with Up and Down buttonhole stitch to work this. You first work a row of up and down buttonhole stitch, then the interlacing is done on the second row.

Starting as you would with buttonhole, work the first stitch of the pair as a regular buttonhole stitch, with your needle pointing downwards, wrap the thread under the needle and pull the needle through.
For the second part of the stitch, insert the needle and take a bite of the fabric so that the tip of the needle is pointing upwards, as illustrated.

Wrap the working thread under the needle and pull the needle through the foundation fabric. As you pull the needle through, pull the needle towards you instead of away from you. As you do this, hold down the loop that forms with the left thumb to prevent it from slipping. The loop forms as you stitch.

Note, I have noticed online that some instructions create a loop, then lace the working thread through the stitch. This is wrong because the loop will be created as you stitch, and once you have the rhythm of the stitch, it is easy and quick to do.

This loop forms the bar at the base of both stitches. This forms the first pair of tied stitches.

Work along the line.

Turn your work.

The Second Row

To commence the second row, bring your needle from the back so that the thread emerges just above the line of the first row.

Thread the needle under the first bar on the first row that you have just created. At this stage, you are going under the thread, but not through the fabric.
Pull the needle through.

Work a pair of up-and-down buttonhole stitches.

Thread your needle under the next bar and work a pair of up-and-down buttonhole stitches.

Continue along the line, threading your working thread under each that is between each pair of stitches on the bottom row.

I have worked the two rows in different colours so you can see how the two rows are laced together. As you can see, you could incorporate beading with this stitch very easily.