Threaded Chain Stitch

 

This complex looking stitch is the Threaded Chain Stitch.   I have added this stitch to my ongoing 100 Stitches Plus list.

This looks complex but is actually very simple.  The stitch is composed of single Chain Stitches that are threaded by two different threads.  For contrast and interest, you might want to use different colors for the threading.

For my demonstration, I am using two colors of perle cotton floss.  The green is DMC no. 906 and the purple is DMC no. 208:

Working from left to right, the first step is to come up through the fabric and form a single Chain Stitch:

To form a single stitch instead of a connected line, end the stitch by taking the needle back into the fabric at the edge of the loop:

Next, make a row of the single stitches:

Next up is threading the single Chain Stitches, 

Bring the needle up through the first Chain Stitch.  I show the needle coming straight up so that it is easy to see.  In actuality, you want the needle to come up through the fabric and slide under the Chain Stitch. 

Here is a closer look at how the threading floss slides under the Chain Stitch:

and under the next Chain Stitch:

and the next:

until the end of the stitching line.  Notice that I left the threading floss fairly loose so that it can be adjusted to make a decorative effect.  To finish the first threading, the threading floss goes back into the fabric and is secured on the underside.

The second threading is done the same way except this time traveling from right to left:

Done!

I found the instructions for this stitch from the book Embroidery Stitches by Mary Webb.