If you thought you knew all of the stitches used in embroidery, this page may surprise you!
We have put together a long list of links to videos and tutorials for basic to advanced embroidery stitches.
When my mother first taught me to do embroidery work, my beginner project was a pillowcase. The design was an array of flowers along the edge of the pillowcase.
I remember starting with the universal chain stitch and back stitch to make the stems and how to outline, then moving on to the lazy daisy, as mom called it, to create flower petals.
The satin stitch took a long time to master, as I expected perfection in the close proximity of each stitch. Those leaves had a better look just like satin to me!
I have vivid memories of learning to make a French knot. My first attempts were odd-shaped bumps with little loops sticking out. Such sad little knots.
But when I finally made a smooth, rounded knot like a tiny pearl sitting on that pillowcase, I felt so proud of myself and ready to make hundreds more. (Although I'm sure my pillowcase didn't demand that many!)
Oh, how I loved that knot! I think it was because I had to really work at it and put so much effort into mastering it, that I really appreciated the look of a perfect little French knot.
It wasn’t until I was an adult that I had the need to learn the blanket stitch so I could hand appliqué on my advancing projects. I'm learning new (to me) stitches all of the time.
Below are links to videos and picture tutorials showing many hand embroidery stitches. I'd wager a bet that there are some that you haven't even heard of yet!!
Check out these links!
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A tutorial showing you how to make the Algerian Eye Stitch, which is also known as the Algerian Eyelet Stitch or the Star Eyelet Stitch.
Needlepointers.com
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This video and photo tutorial is on how to outline a cross stitch design using the backstitch. It includes instructions and tips on backstitching.
Needlepointers.com
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This video will show you how to hand embroider the backstitch which is a common outline stitch used in counted cross stitch and embroidery.
Needlepointers.com
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A embroidery stitch tutorial on how to do the basket stitch.
Needlepointers.com
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Learn how to do the blanket stitch with this blanket stitch tutorial. It's used as an edging to attach applique designs, finish felt toys and ornaments, decorate crazy quilts and more.
Needlepointers.com
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This blanket stitch by hand tutorial shows how to embroidery blanket stitch corners.
Needlepointers.com
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This tutorial is on how-to end the blanket stitch. The tutorial shows how to end the blanket stitch if you have two layers of fabric and if you have one layer of fabric.
Needlepointers.com
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Learn how to stitch the short and long blanket stitch which is a variation of the basic blanket stitch. This decorative stitch can be used in crazy quilts and appliqué in addition as a hemstitch on projects.
Needlepointers.com
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This written tutorial with great pictures is very helpful when learning the complicated braid stitch.
Stitch School
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Text instructions with photos that clearly teach this stitch that is popular on crazy quilts.
Pintangle
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Learn how to use the buttonhole stitch to make flowers, wheels and circles.
Kreink
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A video on how to do the embroidery techique - buttonhole wheel.
Needle 'N Thread
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This video will show how to do the cable embroidery stitch which is a hand embroidery stitch. This needlework stitch is an outline stitch which can be worked along a straight line or curve.
Needlepointers.com
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Learn how to do an embroidery chain stitch to form a decorative outline in your embroidery work.
Needlepointers.com Associate
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This video and photo tutorial will show you how to embroider the Chevron stitch. The Chevron stitch is worked on two parallel lines and it is a beautiful decorative stitch which is ideal for borders.
Needlepointers.com
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Instructions, illustration and video teaching a great stitch for outlining or accenting work.
Annie's Craft Store
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Videos, pictures, and written instructions for two methods for the cross stitch.
Annie's Craft Store
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Learn how to stitch the double cross stitch on plastic canvas. This stitch is also known as the Smyrna Stitch
Needlepointers.com
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This version of double herringbone stitch is also known as Indian herringbone stitch.
Learn more here.
In A Minute Ago
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This video will show you how to do the double running embroidery stitch which is also known as the Holbein stitch.
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Illustration, instructions and video that teaches the eyelet stitch which is beautiful for fill work and pulled thread work.
Annie's Craft Store
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How to do the feather stitch. This is a hand-embroidery decorative stitch which creates a vine or branch looking line.
Needlepointers.com
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Pictures and written instructions for the fern stitch. This stitch is used to create an open, lacy stitch along a straight or curved line frequently seen in crazy quilts.
About.com Embroidery
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Photos and written directions to make this stitch made of three straight stitches.
Sarah's Hand Embroidery Tutorials
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This site has nice photos and written directions for the fishbone Stitch, perfect for making leaves or feathers.
Sarah's Hand Embroidery Tutorials
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A video on how to do the Fishbone stitch.
Needle 'N Thread
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Instructions, illustration and video
showing the technique of this single detached stitch, much like the feather stitch.
Annie's Craft Store
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A tutorial on how to do the French knot.
Needlepointers.com
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A tutorial showing how to do the half cross stitch on plastic canvas. This is a basic needlepoint stitch which is stitched diagonally over one bar.
Needlepointers.com
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Simply the first part of a cross-stitch which can be slanted in either direction.
Annie's Craft Store
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This video will show how to stitch the herringbone stitch. The herringbone stitch is a popular embroidery stitch often used for borders.
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Create Needlepoint
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Learn how to do the kloster block in hardanger.
Caron Collection
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A braided stitch in embroiderywork.
Stitch School
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Learn how to do the lazy daisy stitch with this video and photo tutorial.
Needlepointers.com
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An illustration on how to do the Maiden Hair stitch.
Needlecrafter.com
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Drawings, photos and written description showing two variations of this simple yet complicated looking stitch design.
Threadneedle Street
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The Mountmellick stitch is a decorative outline stitch. This video will show you how.
Needle 'N Thread
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Step by step photos and written directions for this extremely easy to learn stitch, much like the fishbone stitch.
Kimberly Ouimet
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An illustration on how to do the Portuguese stem stitch.
Needlecrafter.com
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This site has simple drawings of the queen stitch and the vertical queen stitch.
Johanna's Needlework Stitches
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Here you will find a drawing, complete with photos, showing three variations of the reverse mosaic stitch.
Create Needlepoint
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Kreinik has diagrams for doing three different Rhodes stitch - Rhodes Diamond, Rhodes Octagon, Rhodes Heart.
Kreinik
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The Rhodes stitch adds texture and a 3-dimensional effect to your needlework. Learn how to make the Rhodes stitch.
Needlework Tips and Techniques
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Learn how to do the Roumanian stitch which is a stitch with a braided center.
Primrose Design
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Instructions, illustations and video.
Annie's Craft Store
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Instructions, illustrations and video.
Annie's Craft Store
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The satin stitch is used for filling in a design.
Kreink
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Drawing and photo with written directions to make this filler stitch.
Create Needlepoint
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This video will show you how to do the Smyrna Stitch which is a textured stitch which can be used as a filler, as a border and in chicken scratch embroidery. This stitch is also called the double cross stitch or Snowflake stitch.
Needlepointers.com
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This page has drawings and written directions to create the spider web rose stitch, often used for flowers, spider webs, wheels, and circles.
Kreink
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Written instructions, along with drawing and photo to make the split stitch that looks like a tiny chain stitch. Impressive yet simple to do.
Sublime Stitching
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Illustration, instructions and video describing how to make the common stitch primarily used for outlining.
Annie's Craft Store
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Illustration, instructions and video showing how to create the straight stitch, which is the basis of many hand-embroidery stitches.
Annie's Craft Store
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Drawings and written directions for the twisted chain stitch, a variation of the basic chain stitch that makes the chain twist and form a rope-like chain.
Stitch School
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Needle 'N Thread
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This embroidery stitch has a braided center. Learn how to do the Vandyke stitch.
Primerose Design
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A video tutorial of the embroidery stitch - Vandyke stitch.
Needle 'N Thread
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The wheat stitch is a variation of the chain stitch. This video will shows how to do the wheat stitch.
Needle 'N Thread
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Written directions with simple drawing showing how to make the whipped backstitch which is typically worked in contrasting floss colors.
Annie's Craft Store
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Do you need to embroider a small circle? Try the woven circle stitch! This is a beautiful, decorative stitch that can be made on any type of fabric. It is a common stitch used in chicken scratch and floral embroidery.
Needlepointers.com
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