The crested chain stitch! It’s pretty, it’s fairly simple, and it’s a neat little stitch to add to your repertoire!
What I like best about this stitch is that it can be made large or small, with just about any thread, on any fabric, and the look can be varied quite a bit, depending on how you work the stitch. You can use a heavier thread and increase the height of the stitch between the chain stitch and the top knot, and come up with something completely different looking when compared to the stitch worked small and compact with a finer thread. My favorite look of the stitch, though, is a bit more compact, used as an edge or border stitch.
In the above photo, I worked the stitch with orange floche on a turquoise-blueish felt, and I kept the distance between the chain stitch and the knot on the crest of the stitch rather short, but still long enough to see the “bridge” between the knot and the chain stitch.
I also worked a short line of crested chain stitch on my spot sampler, using two strands of stranded cotton, and working the knot practically right on top of the chain. When you work the knot close to the chain, it looks a lot like a little line of picots sitting on top of chain stitches…. either that, or a little line of swimming ducks. (For some reason, that’s what it reminds me of!)
The stitch makes a great border (as mentioned above), and looks good outlining anywhere you want a slightly textured line. It works well around tight curves, too – just like a chain stitch.
Here’s the video:
For those who receive my daily e-mail, the video won’t be embedded, so to view it, feel free to drop in on the website here:
Crested Chain Stitch Video Tutorial
I hope you like the stitch! If you have any inspiring ideas on how you would use it, feel free to leave a comment below!
Enjoy!
I am so glad that I found your website, I really enjoy the teaching videos and all the tips and techniques that you pass on to us. Thank you so much.
I can see this stitch being used in a mixed media piece as a crown. Also in a crazy quilt stitched on to an image as a crown.
Debbie
That is a nice stitch, and would be hard to learn how to do without the video.
Easily shown. Until you want to embroider. I love the look here. Greetings from Polish.
A nice stitch and a clear video. Thanks Mary.
muy bonita la puntada, yo la emplearia en el borde de un cuello.estoy interesada en aprender bordado mountmellick, puntadas como:punto de manta ,pista de caracol, siembra etec. les agradeceria inmensamente si me pueden colaborar. disculpe que abuse de su buena voluntad. mil gracias. sorany
It is a nice stitch.I am learning new stitches through your website.Thank you.
Já tinha visto este ponto, mas não sabia como era feito. Obrigada pela aula!!!!!
Quando vi este ponto pela primeira vez ele estava sendo usado para rebordar flores em tecido estampado. O efeito é lindo.
Fotaleza-CE-Brasil
this one looks like a winner. thanks for the tutorial!
Mary although I love your videos and often look at them to see if I am doing a stitch properley. I also like the written tutorials. I can put them in a book and take them with me when I am taking my stitching on the road or to a friends house, or the doctors office. Can you please include a written tutorial along with you videos.
Thank you
Karol. B
me encanantan todas estas puntadas, mil gracias por enseñar tantas bellezas, abrazos, lucia
I am so glad that I found your website, I really enjoy the teaching videos and all the tips and techniques that you pass on to us. Thank you so much.
Dear Mary,
I love your site!! I am new to embroidery and your site has helped me immensely.
That was awesome and easy!