Chain Stitch

What you will learn

• Forming loops
• Controlling loop size
• Anchoring the last loop

Materials and tools

• Embroidery hoop, 5 or 6 in (13 or 15 cm)
• Plain cotton or linen practice fabric
• Embroidery (crewel) needle, size 5 to 7
• Six-strand embroidery floss
• Embroidery scissors
• Water-soluble or heat-erasable marking pen

Before you start

• Put the fabric in the hoop so it is drum-tight.
• Cut 18 in (45 cm) of floss, separate the strands you need, thread the needle and knot one end.

1. Come up at the start of the line (point 1).
2. Push the needle back down into the same hole, or right beside it, but do not pull the thread all the way. Leave a loop on the surface.
3. Bring the needle up one stitch length along the line (point 2), inside the loop.
4. Pull gently until the loop tightens around the thread into a rounded link. Stop before it goes thin.
5. Go down again inside the loop, in the hole you just came up through, leaving a new loop. Come up a stitch length ahead inside it.
6. To end the row, make a tiny straight stitch over the end of the last loop to pin it down.

Tips for a neat result

• Pull each loop the same amount so the links match.
• Keep stitch length at about 1/8 to 3/16 in (3 to 5 mm). Longer loops snag.

Common mistakes and fixes

Check your result

• Links are even, rounded and all point the same way.
• The last loop is anchored and cannot pull out.

Projects that use this