About RSN Stitch Bank
Stepped fishbone stitch
This canvaswork stitch is made up of diagonal bands of elongated cross stitches. Each alternate band has either horizontal or vertical cross stitches: collectively this gives a fishbone effect.
Stepped fishbone stitch is generously sponsored by Elizabeth Hewitt
Method
Begin with a vertical straight stitch over four threads of the canvas.
Cross this stitch at the bottom with a horizontal stitch across two threads of the canvas.
Start the next long vertical stitch one thread up and across to the right from the first.
Again cross it with a horizontal stitch across two threads of the canvas and repeat.
When enough vertical stitches have been worked, begin a horizontal row. For the horizontal row below the first vertical row, make a horizontal stitch across four threads of the canvas, ending it at the bottom point of the last vertical stitch.
Cross this stitch to the right-hand side of the horizontal stitch.
Working down and across one canvas thread to the left at a time, work a row of horizontal stitches.
Continue alternating between vertical and horizontal rows.
Stepped fishbone stitch
Structure of stitch
Common uses
Stepped fishbone is ideal for filling an area with a clear diagonal line.
Embroidery Techniques
Identifying Stepped fishbone stitch
This stitch is made up of alternate rows of the same crossed stitch turned horizontally and vertically.
The length of the long stitch can vary from row to row.
References
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Various Authors, The Royal School of Needlework Book of Embroidery (2018) , p.107