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Cretan open filling stitch icon
Cretan open filling stitch

This surface stitch consists of a foundation of long vertical stitches which are woven with cretan stitch into offset square blocks .  The woven element of the stitch is completely detached from the fabric, similar to russian stitch, although russian stitch is often used across just a pair of foundation stitches or bars rather than to fill an area.

The action of the weaving is variously described as using a detached buttonhole stitch or a herringbone motion.

It is also visually similar to a closed version of threaded herringbone stitch, although the working method is different.

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Woven Detached Looped Buttonhole Cretan Open Filling Embellishment Surface Crewelwork

Cretan open filling stitch is generously sponsored by Kathleen Singleton

Method

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Cretan open filling stitch method stage 1 illustration
Cretan open filling stitch method stage 1 photograph
1

Work a group of vertical stitches evenly spaced, using a strong thread and ensuring they are taut.
Introduce the second thread by bringing your needle up just to the right of the rightmost thread. You will work blocks of cretan stitches diagonally from top right to bottom left.

Cretan open filling stitch method stage 2 illustration
Cretan open filling stitch method stage 2 photograph
2

Weave your needle horizontally under the vertical foundation thread and over the second foundation thread.  Bring your needle back under the second foundation thread, keeping your working thread above the weaving.  Cross over the first horizontal stitch and also the first vertical stitch.

Cretan open filling stitch method stage 3 illustration
Cretan open filling stitch method stage 3 photograph
3

Take your thread under the first vertical thread and over the previous horizontal stitch.  The motion is similar to a herringbone stitch: it should form a figure of eight.

Cretan open filling stitch method stage 4 illustration
Cretan open filling stitch method stage 4 photograph
4

Repeat the figure of eight movement.

Cretan open filling stitch method stage 5 illustration
Cretan open filling stitch method stage 5 photograph
5

Continue in this way until you have completed four cretan stitches.  You will need to use your needle or a mellor to push the stitches together and keep them even. 
Start a new block by taking your thread under the second vertical thread, and over the third one.  Reversing the direction, bring your needle under the third thread and diagonally over the horizontal stitch to form a figure of eight, as before.

Cretan open filling stitch method stage 6 illustration
Cretan open filling stitch method stage 6 photograph
6

Continue working the cretan stitches in diagonal blocks of four, using your needle or mellor to keep the positioning even.  Finish your thread at the leftmost vertical thread.

Cretan open filling stitch method stage 7 illustration
Cretan open filling stitch method stage 7 photograph
7

Start a new diagonal row on the right side, working it as before.
Continue working diagonal rows until the area is complete.

Cretan open filling stitch

Structure of stitch

Woven Detached Looped Buttonhole Cretan

Common uses

Open Filling Embellishment

Embroidery Techniques

Surface Crewelwork

Related Stitches

Open Cretan stitch Herringbone stitch Single Brussels stitch Threaded herringbone stitch

References

  • Mrs Archibald Christie, Samplers and Stitches (1921) , p.70
  • Mary Thomas’s Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches (1934) , p.57–8