45 stitches
Hand embroidery stitches
How to work each stitch, with a diagram, what it is used for and how hard it is.
Start with these
Running stitch
Used for dashed outlines.
Back stitch
Used for outlines; lettering.
Split stitch
Used for fine outlines; lettering and delicate curves.
Stem stitch
Used for flower stems and vines; curved outlines.
Satin stitch
Used for petals and leaves; small solid shapes.
French knot
Used for flower centers; single accent dots.
Chain stitch
Used for outlines; stems and curved lines.
Lazy daisy stitch
Used for flower petals; small leaves.
Blanket stitch
Used for finishing the edges of felt and blankets.
Long and short stitch
Used for filling shapes too large for satin stitch.
Outline stitches
Coral stitch
Used for textured outlines; stems and tendrils.
Holbein stitch
Used for blackwork patterns and outlines.
Outline stitch
Used for outlining shapes; stems and leaf veins.
Scroll stitch
Used for wavy outlines and borders.
Whipped back stitch
Used for smooth outlines; small lettering.
Whipped running stitch
Used for outlines; two-color lines.
Shown above, under “Start with these”: Back stitch, Running stitch, Split stitch, Stem stitch.
Straight stitches
Arrowhead stitch
Used for zigzag borders and outlines.
Fern stitch
Used for ferns and leafy sprays.
Seed stitch
Used for light filling inside leaves and other shapes.
Sheaf stitch
Used for open fillings; borders worked in rows or columns.
Straight stitch
Used for grass and leaf veins; small petals and leaves.
Filling stitches
Brick stitch
Used for filling shapes that are too large for satin stitch.
Fishbone stitch
Used for leaves; feathers.
Leaf stitch
Used for leaves; border lines.
Padded satin stitch
Used for dots and other small raised shapes; petals.
Shown above, under “Start with these”: Long and short stitch, Satin stitch.
Knots
Bullion knot
Used for bullion roses and rosebuds.
Cast-on stitch
Used for petals of raised flowers and roses; leaves.
Colonial knot
Used for candlewicking; flower centers and accent dots.
Pistil stitch
Used for the pistils inside embroidered flowers.
Turkey work
Used for bumblebees and thistle tops.
Shown above, under “Start with these”: French knot.
Chain stitches
Shown above, under “Start with these”: Chain stitch, Lazy daisy stitch.
Looped stitches
Crossed stitches
Woven stitches
Edging stitches
Shown above, under “Start with these”: Blanket stitch.
