Chain stitch. This is a tremendously useful stitch that is quick and easy to do. Chain stitchis a foundation stitch for a whole family of looped stitches. The trick with all the chain stitches is to not pull the stitch too tight, as a tight tension will pull the loop of the stitch tighter causing a puckered line.
Chain stitch will hold a curve well and is ideal to use to outline a pattern or for lettering. The sample above is a sample worked in cotton perle #5 thread.
This sample is worked in a fine knitting yarn that has a metallic blended thread in it. It is worked on 25 count linen.
Take a Stitch Tuesday 2023 Week 4 Beyond TAST
This week I am for those who are doing Beyond TAST I am suggesting two varieties of a stitch to explore. Raised chain has 2 versions. The first is a version published in most stitch dictionaries,Raised Chain as version 1. In the case of Raised Chain as version 2, I was taught this version years ago. To my delight, it is published in the A-Z of Embroidery Stitches Volume 2. This makes it legit in my eyes, shifting it from a quirky Aussie version to another handy variety. It creates a raised but flat surface.
I have decided to suggest people try both, for the challenge, because they both have their merits. And they are well worth experimenting with. Also, I know if I suggest one without the other, someone will ask if I know the other version!
As I said, both have their merits and both can add texture in interesting ways to a piece. They both make a great edge to your work too!
Where to share your Take a Stitch Tuesday 2023 Week 4 samples
If you are new to hand embroidery the challenge is to learn the stitch and share what you have learned. If you are an experienced embroiderer, enjoy Beyond TAST and give your work a modern twist. And of course, share it online so beginners can see what can be done with a little imagination.
If you are doing the design challenge you have a month to work a design and stitch it up.
So the idea is to stitch a sample, photograph it, share it in the Take a Stitch Tuesday facebook group or use the hashtags are #TASTembroidery and #PintangleTAST on Instagram.
If you need more information the challenge guidelines are on the TAST FAQ page.
My book for creative stitchers
If you enjoy my site you will gain real value from my book: Creative Stitches for Contemporary Embroidery: Visual Guide to 120 Essential Stitches for Stunning Designs
Feeling stale? Wondering how to add sparkle to your embroidery? I have aimed Creative Stitches for Contemporary Embroidery to be suitable for both beginners and seasoned embroiderers. It introduces techniques to encourage your creative interpretations of stitches. I guide you towards discovering play-points in your embroidery by varying the height and width; by stacking stitches; or by filling multiple rows with the same stitch. With creative variations and demonstrations of tiny tweaks, You will be ready to head off down your own creative path and, of course, illustrated with plenty of eye candy!
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Hi Sharon,
The stitch was demonstrated by my tutor in a class which is part of a Blackwork Embroidery masterclass (Embroiderer’s Guild of Victoria). Our tutor said that Elizabethan Chain stitch was used to outline flowers and other figures which were filled in with various blackwork patterns. I have been using it for that purpose for a couple of the pieces I’m designing for my course work, and I’m finding it works well – can be curved easily or can do sharp changes of direction. It forms a denser line than I’ve ever been able to achieve with standard chain stitch.
It is referred to in the book Elizabethan stitches by Jacquie Carey. Figure 117 on page 106 shows the stitch, although she calls it modern reverse chain stitch. You may know it by that name?
Thanks Ruth yes I know it by reverse chain – I will have to play with it more.
I recently learned Elizabethan chain stitch, which seems much easier to me, as you don’t have the same risk of variations in your loop sizes. I think it bears some relationship to raised chain one, but done without a foundation row.
Hi Ruth – I have never investigated Elizabethan Chain – do you have a bibliographic reference I can dig into?