100 Stitches rosette chain stitch

This is the rosette chain stitch:

It is the latest stitch on my 100 Stitches journey.  I think this is a beautiful stitch that would be nice for borders:

I had avoided learning this stitch because it looked so hard! I had tried it a few times and I just wasn't getting it.  But I decided to try again and I am so glad I did because now that I know how to do it, it is very simple and straightforward.  For my little demonstration, I am using pearl cotton floss, dmc #666 and I am going to be drawing some parallel guidelines:

I drew mine about 1/4" apart:

This stitch is always worked from right to left.  The first step is to come up through the fabric on the right edge of the top line:

Pull the floss all the way through and to the left:

now bring the needle around to the right in a big circle and go back into the fabric on the top line, to the left of where the floss first emerged.  Bring the needle back out on the bottom line.  Notice the needle is goin into the fabric at a diagonal, from the top line coming out on the bottom line at a slant:

The needle goes over the working floss at the bottom of the big circle:

Pull all the way through and this is the crossed loop that forms:

Now bring your needle up under the right side of the crossed loop.  Don't go into the fabric or pick up any fabric, just slide the needle under the floss:

Pull all the way through, but not too tight:

Now, bring the needle around again, creating a big circle.  This time, the needle goes under the working floss, into the fabric on the top line at a slant and emerging on the bottom line:

Start pulling through and make sure the needle now goes over the working floss at the bottom of the big circle:

Pull all the way through and you have this crossed loop again:

Slide the needle up and under the right side of the crossed loop, again not picking up any fabric, just sliding under:

And just keep repeating these steps

until you have a full line:

of beautiful stitching:

This stitch is nice and neat on the underside:

and gorgeous on the topside!

I'm really happy to add this stitch to my repertoire.  I know I will use it as a border on tea towels.  100 Stitches suggested working this in a circle to form small flowers - I am definitely going to try that too!
This is stitch #48 on the 100 Stitches list, it is in the linked stitches category.  I have finished all 13 stitches in the linked stitches category!