Beginner's Stitch Library
Learn embroidery stitches with clear explanations
Each stitch includes when to use it, how it works, and tips for best results. Whether you are following a pattern or creating your own design, these stitches form the foundation of embroidery.
Cross Stitch
The cross stitch is a basic stitch where you form a small X on special cross stitch fabric.
- Bring the needle up at 1, the bottom left hole of a square in the fabric, and down at 2, the top right hole of the same square.
- Bring the needle up at 3 and down at 4.
- Complete the row.
- The return row is stitched from right to left.
- Make crosses by bringing the needle up at 9 and down at 10, and so on.
Usually, you stitch in rows from left to right or from bottom to top. However, you can also make each cross individually.
In principle, any method works as long as all stitches are made in the same direction. Therefore, always start either at the bottom left or at the bottom right, but do not switch direction halfway through.
Cross Stitching 2 over 2
On Aida fabric, you always stitch over one square. However, on evenweave or linen, you often stitch over two fabric threads at once. This creates a larger square.
Two over two means you use two strands of floss and stitch over two threads of the fabric.
Of course, you can also stitch over three threads or even four. Keep in mind that the more holes you skip, the larger your crosses will be, and therefore the larger your project will become.
Backstitch
The backstitch is a basic stitch where the needle comes up, moves forward a short distance, and then goes back down. This versatile stitch is used for outlines, filling areas, and adding detailed lines in embroidery.
- Thread your needle and tie a knot at the end of your thread.
- Bring the needle up from the back at 1 and down at 2.
- That was your first stitch.
- Bring the needle up at 3 and go back down at 2.
When you are stitching a curve, make your backstitches slightly smaller. Otherwise, try to keep all backstitches the same length.
French Knot & Colonial Knot
French Knot
The French knot is a specific embroidery stitch used in cross stitch to add small, round, raised dots to a design. This knot adds texture and dimension and can serve as a decorative element, such as flower buds, eyes, or small accents.
- Bring your needle up from the back of the fabric to the front at the point where you want to place the knot.
- Wrap the floss around the needle a few times, depending on the desired size of the knot. Keep the thread pulled tight around the needle.
- Insert the needle back into the fabric close to where you started, slightly next to the original entry point, to hold the loops in place.
- Gently pull the needle and thread through so the wrapped loops tighten together and form a small, round knot.
If you just cannot master the French knot, you can make a Colonial knot instead or use a bead to achieve the same effect.
Colonial Knot
The figure-eight knot is a type of knot you can use while embroidering. It is easier to make than the French knot but creates a similar effect.
- Bring the needle up from the back of the fabric to the front.
- Lay the working thread to the side in a loop.
- Place the needle on top of the working thread. Point the tip upward and slide it under the working thread.
- Take the end of the working thread and wrap it over the needle.
- Tighten the loop to form the knot.
- Insert the needle from the top through the knot and down into the fabric to secure it.
Split Stitch
The split stitch in embroidery is a basic stitch. It is often used to create fine lines, outlines, and to fill areas in embroidery. You can work this stitch in two ways: from above or from below.
Split Stitch from Above
- Thread your needle and tie a knot at the end of your thread.
- Bring the needle up from the back to the front at (1) and insert it back down a short distance away at (2). That is your first stitch.
- Bring the needle up again one stitch length ahead at (3).
- Insert the needle exactly into the center of your first stitch and push it down.
- Before pulling the needle all the way through, make sure there are equal strands on both sides. Then pull the thread through completely.
- Repeat these steps until you finish your pattern.
Split Stitch from Below
- Thread your needle and tie a knot at the end of your thread.
- Bring the needle up from the back to the front at (1) and insert it back down a short distance away at (2). That is your first stitch.
- Insert the needle exactly into the center of your first stitch from the back and bring it up to the front.
- Before pulling the needle all the way through, make sure there are equal strands on both sides. Then pull the thread through completely.
- Now make the next stitch from 3 to 4.
- Repeat these steps until you finish your pattern.
When you are stitching a curve, make your split stitches slightly smaller. Otherwise, try to keep all split stitches the same length.
Stem Stitch
The stem stitch is a basic stitch. It is a decorative stitch often used to create stylized stems, branches, and outlines in embroidery. The result is a sequence of diagonal stitches that form a smooth line, similar to an embroidered branch or stem.
- You begin with a straight stitch.
- Bring your needle up at (1) and make a full stitch to (2), but do not pull the needle all the way through. Hold a small loop in place with your finger.
- Insert your needle between (1) and (2) at (3) and pull through.
- Make the next straight stitch by inserting your needle down at (4).
- Hold a loop again and bring the needle up between (2) and (4) at (5).
- Make sure the loop always stays below the needle and the stitch lies above it. Continue this way to the end of the line.
- The smaller you make the stitches, the more compact your line will be.
- You will see that each new stitch lies slightly on top of the previous one.
Satin Stitch
The satin stitch in embroidery is a smooth and glossy technique in which closely placed parallel stitches create a solid, shiny surface. It is ideal for filling shapes and adding a polished finish to detailed designs.
Regular Satin Stitch
The disadvantage of the satin stitch is that it uses a lot of thread because you work back and forth across both sides of the fabric.
- Bring your needle up from the back to the front of the fabric at 1.
- Take the needle across to the opposite side of the shape and insert it down at 2.
- Bring the needle up at 3 and down again at 4.
- Continue in this way until you reach the end of the shape.
Thread Saving Satin Stitch
- Bring your needle up from the back to the front of the fabric at 1.
- Take the needle across to the opposite side of the shape and insert it down at 2.
- Bring the needle up again directly next to your first stitch at 3.
- Take the needle across to the opposite side of the shape and insert it down at 4.
The thread-saving method is slightly flatter than the regular version, so it remains a personal choice which one you prefer to use.
Always start in the center of the shape. At the widest or longest point, you can best determine the angle of your stitches. The angle of your stitches affects how the light falls on them, so think about this in advance.
Chain Stitch
The chain stitch is a basic stitch. As the name suggests, it has a chain-like appearance. In this instruction, I explain how to make a vertical line of chain stitches, but you can vary the direction of this stitch as desired.
- Bring the needle up from the back of the fabric to the front and pull the thread through.
- Insert the needle back down through your starting point from the top, but do not pull the thread all the way through this time.
- Bring the needle up from the back at the next stitch point. This point is a few millimeters away from your starting point. Do not pull the thread tight yet.
Starting a new chain stitch? Insert the needle through the last stitch point of your previous stitch, then repeat the last two steps.
Lazy Daisy Stitch
The detached chain stitch is a variation of the regular chain stitch. This stitch is ideal for creating flower petals and other detailed elements.
- Bring the needle up from the back of the fabric to the front and pull the thread through.
- Take the middle part of the working thread and lay it to the side in a loop shape.
- Insert the needle from the top back into the same hole where you first came up.
- Do not pull the needle all the way down. Bring it up again a few millimeters away from your starting point. Make sure the needle stays inside the loop.
- Gently tighten the stitch until it rests against the needle. You will now have a leaf-shaped form.
- Finally, insert the needle from the top into the fabric to secure the detached chain stitch.
