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Herringbone ladder filling stitch icon
Herringbone ladder filling stitch

  • Interlaced band stitch
  • Double Pekinese stitch
  • Laced cretan stitch

This stitch consists of two parallel double running stitch rows (forming the side rails of the ladder) with herringbone stitch interlaced to form the rungs of the ladder.  The herringbone stitch doesn’t pierce the fabric.

The method of working (back stitch in rows which are then embellished with loops) has similarities with pekinese stitch, hence the alternative name of double pekinese stitch.  Structurally this stitch is similar to both herringbone and cretan stitches.

For more background, see the entry for herringbone stitch.

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Woven Running Looped Crossed Cretan Herringbone Border Embellishment Surface Herringbone stitch Pekinese stitch

Herringbone ladder filling stitch is generously sponsored by Nivea Green

Method

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Herringbone ladder filling stitch method stage 1 illustration
Herringbone ladder filling stitch method stage 1 photograph
1

Work a line of double running stitch, following the grain of the fabric.

Double running stitch
Herringbone ladder filling stitch method stage 2 illustration
Herringbone ladder filling stitch method stage 2 photograph
2

Work a parallel row of double running stitch below, ensuring that the two rows of stitches are offset or bricked against one another.

Herringbone ladder filling stitch method stage 3 illustration
Herringbone ladder filling stitch method stage 3 photograph
3

Bring the needle up above the first lower double running stitch on the left hand side.

Herringbone ladder filling stitch method stage 4 illustration
Herringbone ladder filling stitch method stage 4 photograph
4

It may help to switch to a tapestry needle for the rest of the stitch. Without going through the fabric, take the needle underneath the first stitch from the bottom to the top. Keep the needle pointing to the left with the thread looping to the right.

Herringbone ladder filling stitch method stage 5 illustration
Herringbone ladder filling stitch method stage 5 photograph
5

Take the needle under the first top double running stitch from top to bottom, bringing it out to the left with the thread looped to the right. Pull the thread tight, ensuring that the double running stitch is not distorted.

Herringbone ladder filling stitch method stage 6 illustration
Herringbone ladder filling stitch method stage 6 photograph
6

Take the needle underneath the second double running stitch on the lower edge. Bring the needle out to the left and keep the thread to the right.

Herringbone ladder filling stitch method stage 7 illustration
Herringbone ladder filling stitch method stage 7 photograph
7

Again take the needle underneath the second double running stitch on the top edge. Bring the needle out to the left and keep the thread to the right creating a twist in the herringbone. Ensure each new stitch lays over the top of the previous stitch.

Herringbone ladder filling stitch method stage 8 illustration
Herringbone ladder filling stitch method stage 8 photograph
8

Continue alternating between the top and bottom double running stitches to create a continuously laced herringbone stitch.

Herringbone ladder filling stitch

Structure of stitch

Woven Running Looped Crossed Cretan Herringbone

Common uses

Border Embellishment

Embroidery Techniques

Surface

Variant Stitches

Herringbone stitch Pekinese stitch

Related Stitches

Double running stitch Herringbone stitch Pekinese stitch

References

  • Mary Thomas’s Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches (1934) , p.117
  • Jennifer Campbell, Ann-Marie Bakewell, Guide to Embroidery Stitches (2004)