Tuesday, January 4, 2011

100 Stitches - Checkered chain stitch

Wonder how this chain stitch could alternate colors?!By using the checkered chain stitch - the latest stitch I have learned from 100 stitches. What a fun stitch this is to do! Fun and very easy. I love the way that it works outlining this Be Mine valentine heartTo stitch the checkered chain stitch, you will need two contrasting colored threads. For my demonstration, I used red and blue:
You only need one needle, which you thread with both floss threads. Knot them together at the other end:Come up through your fabric: Now take a stitch, just like you are setting up a regular chain stitch:
but now the special part of this stitch. Only one colored thread goes under the needle. The other color just lays on top:pull everything through just like a normal chain stitch:the threads just line themselves up and you have your first completed stitch:Now set up for the second stitch just like you would a regular chain stitch:Bring your needle through just like a regular chain stitch:But now...bring the other color under the needle and let the first color lay on the top. Here are two views: pull through to complete the second stitch:Now set up for the third stitch and this time the first color goes under the needle again and the second color lays on top:Pull all the way through: and you are on your way to doing the checkered chain stitch!Here is a picture of the underside of my fabric: this fun stitch looks nice on either side of the fabric!
The checkered chain stitch is #47 and is listed in the linked stitches section of 100 Stitches.
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24 comments:

  1. RosaJanuary 4, 2011 at 6:39 PM

    How pretty! I like this one very much.

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  2. AnitaJanuary 4, 2011 at 7:08 PM

    Very cool, thanks for the tutorial.

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  3. John'aLeeJanuary 4, 2011 at 7:18 PM

    Oh I just love this!! That heart is just the cutest. Thanks so much for sharing the technique!
    You are always so generous with your knowledge!

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  4. LeahJanuary 4, 2011 at 8:13 PM

    Very Interesting, I will have to try that out.

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  5. MaloriJanuary 4, 2011 at 8:32 PM

    Ah this is so cool!!! I love it!

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  6. Two DollarsJanuary 4, 2011 at 8:41 PM

    cool, I would have never guessed it was only 1 needle
    -Stefanie
    2ndChanceCreations.etsy.com

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  7. AnnieJanuary 4, 2011 at 9:47 PM

    love the heart in the pink an red!...haven't tried this stitch, but you make it look easy!...

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  8. FarahJanuary 5, 2011 at 1:29 AM

    Hello Kim... first I become confused that how you used two colour thread but when stitch is completed only one colour appears... great job Kim, thanks for the tutorial, really helpful and I learned a new thing...
    Happy New Year
    http://craftaworld.blogspot.com/
    Love
    Farah

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  9. LibbyJanuary 5, 2011 at 4:55 AM

    LOVE that pink and red heart!! I was looking at my projects for 2010 and remembered that your "Be Mine" kit was my first embroidery project! I made Kelsey pillowcases for Valentine's Day!! Those hearts are still my favorite embroicery pattern!! Thanks so much for helping me learn and love embroidery!!!

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  10. Miss HillbillyJanuary 5, 2011 at 8:15 AM

    I have much to learn from you. Much much to learn!

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  11. CharodeyaJanuary 6, 2011 at 6:29 AM

    Very intresting stitch! Thank you very much!!!

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  12. MomWaldsPlaceJanuary 6, 2011 at 4:19 PM

    I did this stitch a couple of months ago, and was asked for a tute. Being the procrastinator I am, I put it off. Now I can simply send them here, thanks!

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  13. KimJanuary 7, 2011 at 11:54 AM

    Rosalie - Thank you! I like this stitch too and it will be a fun one to add to projects.
    Anita - Thanks! I really enjoyed showing this stitch :)
    John'aLee - Thank you! All the pictures in the 100 Stitches book are in black and white, I had always overlooked this stitch - when I realized what it would look like in color, I couldn't wait to share it.
    Leah - Thank you - I hope you do try it! If you can do the chain stitch you can do this stitch.
    Malori - Thank you!
    Stefani - You will have to try this one!
    Annie - Thanks! I thought the pink and red would be perfect for valentines day. When I was practicing this stitch I used a lot of different colors and they all looked really good!
    Farah - Thanks! I thought it was confusing too until I tried it - the threads just line themselves up when you pull them through the fabric!
    Libby - Thank you!!! I remember how beautiful those pillowcases turned out - I am amazed that it was your first embroidery project. I loved how creative you were with the patterns!
    Hillbilly Handiworks - Thank you - I am really enjoying posting these 100 stitches stitches - I have a lot to learn, I am not even halfway through the 100 stitches book!
    Оля - спасибо большое!
    Mom W - Heehee! You are welcome :)

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  14. olisaJanuary 7, 2011 at 8:48 PM

    Hi Kim - I'm sooooo glad to have found your blog!! And thank you very, very much for the tips about fill stitch and puckering on mine. I love your style and I've gobbled up your posts and tips. So excited to read more! All the best - Olisa

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  15. olisaJanuary 7, 2011 at 9:01 PM

    Hello again! Sorry for the double comments... I have a question for you. What kind of fabric are you stitching on here? I'm still learning a lot about fabrics and I like the way the weave looks. thanks!

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  16. KimJanuary 8, 2011 at 10:12 AM

    Hi Olisa! Thank you! I am really glad you found the blog too! I love this fabric - it is 100% cotton and it is "quilter's weight". I usually find it in the quilting section of the fabric store. I buy mine at Joanns Fabric and Crafts. It took me a while to figure out what weave I like stitching on, this is a medium weave. If the weave is too tight, it is hard to pull the needle/thread through and isn't fun to stitch on. If it is too loose, the stitches don't lay smooth and nice and even. (I even take my needle with me when I am buying fabric to see how easy it is to push through the fabric).

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  17. AnnieJanuary 9, 2011 at 3:19 PM

    Kim...that is a GREAT idea taking your needle when buying fabric!...wish i had thought of that...would have saved many a fabric search heartaches!..hahahaha....hope the new year has been good to you and yours so far!...

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  18. AnonymousJanuary 11, 2011 at 7:18 PM

    Hi, while surfing online I found your site...I'm sure you have read this before, but really the things you do are beautiful!! thanks for your tips and instructions, they are really useful.
    greetings from Mexico.
    Am.

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  19. KimJanuary 12, 2011 at 8:25 AM

    Hi Annie - Happy new year to you and yours too :)
    Am. - I am so happy you found the blog and thank you! It is a lot of fun to post these stitches and I love to hear that it is helpful!

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  20. AnonymousJanuary 13, 2011 at 2:28 PM

    ‘Stylish Blogger Award’

    I recently received the above award, which made me feel fantastic. Part of the package entails spreading the Blog Love onto your favourite bloggers & that is YOU…Thank you for sharing all of your fabulous tutorials & amazing photography with us!!!

    xxh

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  21. KimJanuary 14, 2011 at 4:47 PM

    Hi Heidi! You made my day! Thank you so much for the Stylish Blogger Award :)

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  22. Silvia LGD (Little Green Doll)January 17, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    This stitch is really wonderful!!! The heart is lovely! :) Have a nice week!

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  23. UnknownJanuary 26, 2013 at 10:06 AM

    I just found your site and I love this double threat stitch. I can't wait to make the heart using this technique.
    Thank you very much!

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  24. KimJanuary 26, 2013 at 10:31 AM

    Hi Margaret - Thank you! I am so glad you found the blog. This technique is really fun and perfect for Valentine's day!

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