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Double twist stitch icon
Double twist stitch

  • Interlaced hem stitch
  • Twisted border
  • Crossing cluster border

Double twist stitch is a drawn thread stitch which takes a small group of stitches and twists half of them over the other half to form a twist.

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Drawn Border Whitework Drawn Thread

Further Reading

RSN Essential Stitch Guides: Whitework by Lizzy Lansberry
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Double twist stitch is generously sponsored by Stella Davies

Method

Remember to keep holding the thread tightly all the way to the end and cast on and off very securely.
As double twist stitch needs to be pulled so tight, it can be useful to work buttonhole stitch over the overwoven ends before stitching.

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Double twist stitch method stage 1 photograph
1

Prepare for double twist stitch by following the drawn thread removal technique ‘Drawn thread removal (alternative preparation)’.

Double twist stitch method stage 2 photograph
2

For this sample, the hem stitch was worked to gather the threads in bunches of two and your number of threads needs to be divisible by four.
Cast on in the overwoven end and count over four bunches.

Double twist stitch method stage 3 photograph
3

Pass the needle back under two bunches and bring the needle up.

Double twist stitch method stage 4 photograph
4

Count back over two bunches and take the needle down.

Double twist stitch method stage 5 photograph
5

Count under four branches and bring the needle up.

Double twist stitch method stage 6 photograph
6

Pull the thread tight to twist the bunches together. Be careful to pull straight along the centre line so that the twist forms neatly.

Continue in this way.

Double twist stitch method stage 7 photograph
7

The finished sample of double twist.

Double twist stitch

Structure of stitch

Drawn

Common uses

Double twist stitch is a great stitch for a reasonably wide border.

Border

Embroidery Techniques

Whitework Drawn Thread

References

  • Various Authors, The Royal School of Needlework Book of Embroidery (2018) , p.339