Ainu Running Stitch is a type of running stitch that comes from indigenous people of northern Japan, known as the Ainu. I discovered this stitch via Queeniepatch. Visit Queenie to read more about the stitch.
Apart from traditional applications Ainu Running Stitch lends itself to experimenting with different thickness of threads, different coloured threads and even adding beads on the thread that runs between the running stitch.
How to work Ainu Running Stitch
Commence with a line of generous running stitches made slightly longer than normal.
On the second journey, working from right to left have your thread emerge below the first running stitch at the centre as illustrated.
Make a small couching stitch as illustrated. With the needle emerging just below the end of the running stitch pull the thread through.
Move to the next running stitch and make a slanted stitch. have your needle emerge at the centre of the next running stitch as illustrated.
Take the thread over the stitch to make a small couching stitch.
Move along the line couching each stitch.
I hope you enjoy this variety of running stitch which you may not be familiar with!
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My book for creative stitchers
If you enjoy my site you will get real value from my book Creative Stitches for Contemporary Embroidery: Visual Guide to 120 Essential Stitches for Stunning Designs
Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned embroiderer, Creative Stitches for Contemporary Embroidery gives you techniques to encourage and develop a fresh and creative embroidery style. Discover play points in your embroidery. Explore variations in height and width, stacking stitches, or using repetitions of the same stitch to create areas of texture and shape. All these techniques and more will give you creative variations. I have included numerous demonstrations of small tweaks that create big effects. To send you down your own creative path, the book is richly illustrated with plenty of eye candy.
Joined TAST last year I think …but have done nothing …Starting a Fresh ….hope to learn loads …I have a Left Handed Embroidery Book …which is a great help as I’ve been sewing left handed but backwards or turning in my head all my life ….big learning curve.
Love this stitch variation and I also love your book. I just have to learn how to make more time in day to do more stitching!
Thanks Judie I am pleased you like the book – The stitch is interesting I am still exploring it
Wow! I am delighted that you are introducing Ainu Stitch to your followers. It IS a great variation of the Running Stitch and can be altered in many ways with colour, thread type and length. I think the very best look is with a good contrast between the fabric and the two threads. Traditionally it seems to have been worked in white and red on a dark blue background.
Thanks Queenie I think its a great stitch
Beautiful and very simple. Thank you!
This is an interesting one. Can’t wait to try it out. Thanks for all the lovely things you teach us
I love this stitch!
This is a lovely stitch. I can see it on future work – thank you
A very nice stitch, Sharon, thank you so much for showing. And yes „our Queeniepatch“ is a wonderful source, too.
Thanks for all these wonderful stitch ideas!
Love this, how much fun!
I think it is fun and interesting stitch too!