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This is the last of the outline stitches we’ll be doing for a little while – and it’s definitely the fanciest so far.

Chain stitch is one of my favorite hand embroidery outline stitches, but it’s not the first one I teach.

I generally start with running stitch because that’s the easiest stitch there is. (This video shows how to do running stitch.)

Then I move on to back stitch. That’s the most versatile outline stitch and also really easy. Here’s the video showing how to back stitch.

Then I usually teach split stitch. It’s almost as easy as back stitch, and has a nice texture – almost as nice as chain stitch. Here’s the video showing how to split stitch.

Then I finally teach how to chain stitch. So here’s the video!

I just adore this stitch!

I especially like to use chain stitch for cursive letters – you can see that in this alphabet embroidery pattern.

I also like to use it for really lovely decorative lines, like on this felt Easter Egg coaster found in this pattern.

Here’s a super close up showing how I used chain stitch to outline a satin stitched heart from this pattern.

Want to fancy it up even more?

Here’s a stitch called backstitched chain stitch. So very fancy!

There’s a video here showing how to do it.

Here are all my lessons for outline embroidery stitches.

• running stitch
• back stitch
• split stitch
• stem stitch
• chain stitch
• threaded stitches
• whipped stitches
• backstitched chain stitch
• couching
• couching with satin stitch

Return to the Learn to Embroider main Table of Contents.

Move on to the lessons teaching fill stitches.