Stem stitch uses repeated straight stitches with each stitch coming up beside the previous stitch to form a rope-like line, curved or straight.

Evidence of Stem stitch has been found in both Egyptian and Peruvian grave artefacts from 14th century BC and between 600 and 200BC, respectively.  Later excavations at Kellis in Egypt (1st-5th centuries AD) and Mammen in Denmark (970AD) also show the use of Stem stitch.  From a slightly later period in Peru, Chancay open weave darning used a long Stem stitch to embellish an open weave gauze fabric.

It was used in the Bayeux Tapestry (11th century), in Icelandic ecclesiastical works from approximately the 15th century and in 17th century English Jacobean work.  In the 18th century it was being used in China on Mandarin squares, in the USA as one of the main stitches in Candlewick embroidery, and within shadow work.  By the following century it was being used in whitework (for muslin embroidery at the start of the century and then later for Broderie Anglaise), by William Morris in his re-creation of 17th century embroidery, and in Kashmir to outline motifs.  More generally it was used in Chinai (on the coast of India), and in Meknes, Morocco.