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Heavy chain stitch icon
Heavy chain stitch

  • Braid stitch
Heavy chain stitch main image

​Heavy chain stitch produces a smooth, bold outline, rather like a braid, and is ideal for heavier outlines. Each chain is produced by threading the needle under the previous loops and worked in the opposite direction from normal chain stitch.

Heavy chain stitch evidently dates from the medieval period as it has been identified on a twill textile from Leens, Netherlands. It is also used on a 19th century cushion cover currently held by the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.  The cushion is from Kalotaszeg, Romania and is stitched in wool on a linen fabric.

For more background see the entry for Chain stitch

add_circleMy Stitches
Chained Looped Border Outline Crewelwork Surface

Heavy chain stitch is generously sponsored by Carolyn Eddy

Method

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1
Heavy chain stitch method stage 1 illustration
Heavy chain stitch method stage 1 photograph
1

Complete a single detached chain stitch then bring the needle back up to the surface just below the point.

Detached chain stitch
2
Heavy chain stitch method stage 2 illustration
Heavy chain stitch method stage 2 photograph
2

Take the needle through the holding stitch of the detached chain stitch.

3
Heavy chain stitch method stage 3 illustration
Heavy chain stitch method stage 3 photograph
3

Take the needle back down through the same hole and draw the thread through.

4
Heavy chain stitch method stage 4 illustration
Heavy chain stitch method stage 4 photograph
4

Bring the needle back up to the surface just below the point, then pass it under the first chain (two chains back).

5
Heavy chain stitch method stage 5 illustration
Heavy chain stitch method stage 5 photograph
5

Take the needle back down the same hole and draw the thread through.

6
Heavy chain stitch method stage 6 illustration
Heavy chain stitch method stage 6 photograph
6

Continue along the design and finish in the usual way.

Heavy chain stitch

Structure of stitch

Chained Looped

Common uses

Border Outline

Embroidery Techniques

Crewelwork Surface

Related Stitches

Chain stitch Back-stitched chain stitch Cable chain stitch Chain stitch (canvaswork) Reverse chain stitch Chain stitch (drawn thread) Chequered chain stitch Detached chain stitch Double chain stitch Feathered chain stitch Knotted cable chain stitch Knotted chain stitch Open chain stitch Raised chain band stitch Rosette chain stitch Sinhalese chain stitch Spine chain stitch Threaded chain stitch Twisted chain stitch Whipped chain stitch Van Dyke stitch

Identifying Heavy chain stitch

Heavy chain stitch can sometimes resemble one of the many braid stitches.  When a line of stitching is viewed from the side, heavy chain stitch doesn’t have any visible entry or exit points.  When viewed from the reverse of the fabric, it consists of a line of what looks like double running stitch.

References