Chained Wheatear is similar to Wheatear stitch except it has an extra Chain stitch making for a thicker textured line. Like Wheatear this variety holds a curve well and can be very effective if you add beads down the central line.
How to work Chained Wheatear Stitch
Work Chained Wheatear in a downward motion. Commence with two straight stitches worked in a V shape. Make sure the base of each stitch meet.
Form a single Wheatear stitch. If you need your memory jogged as to how Wheatear stitch is formed here is a tutorial. To summarise the steps, bring your thread out a little below the base of the V. Pass your needle under the two straight stitches at the base of the V. Pull your needle through and take it to the back of the fabric so that the thread loops in a single chain.
The next step is what creates the chained part of the Wheatear. Bring your needle out at the base of the chain literally a thread or so below the chain stitch.
Pass your needle under the two straight stitches to form a second chain stitch.
Take your needle back into the fabric at the point where it emerged so that is forms a second chain.
Create another V using two straight stitches. As you do this make sure the base of the V emerges from the same point as the base of the chain stitch.
Once again pass your needle under the two diagonal stitches to make another wheatear stitch.
Bring your needle out close to the base of the wheatear stitch and taking the needle under the two two bars of the V stitch create another loop of the chain.
Continue in this manner down the line.
This stitch can also be varied in different ways. For instance the length of the diagonal straight stitches can be varied. With Chained Wheatear Stitch many types of embroidery thread can be used to great effect. You can also work with single units arranged in patterns. Chained Wheatear lends itself to beading and looks great if you tuck a seed bead into the chains.
Chained Wheatear is a versatile stitch. I hope you enjoy exploring what you can do with it!
Follow Pintangle and have it delivered to your inbox
You can have Pintangle delivered to your inbox by using the subscribe feature in the sidebar. Enter your email address, and respond to the confirmation email to be all set!
If you are on a mobile or tablet scroll to the bottom to find the subscribe feature.
Have you seen my stitchers templates?
As someone who loves crazy quilting and embroidery, I designed these templates with other stitchers in mind. With my templates, you can create hundreds of different patterns to use in your stitching and crazy quilting projects. They are easy to use, and totally clear so you can position them easily. Oh, and they are compact so they fit neatly in your sewing box. Designed by a stitcher for stitchers.
To see what they look like, find out about the free ebook of patterns that come with them visit the information pages. You can find out more about both sets by simply going to our Pintangle shop.

Have Pintangle delivered to your inbox

You can have Pintangle delivered to your inbox by using the subscribe feature in the sidebar. Enter your email address, and when you get the confirmation email make sure you say yes and you are all set
If you are on a mobile or tablet you will need to scroll to the bottom to find the subscribe feature.
Great stitch, will try it.
Great stitch. It will be fun to use.
The chained wheatear with yellow beads looks just like the caterpillars that appear on the pentas in my garden. It’s a perfect stitch for caterpillars.