Braided Chain Stitch


Braided Chain Stitch is also known as

Hungarian Braided Chain Stitch [EN], Punto cadena húngara [ES], Point de chaîne hongrois [FR], Ungarischer Kettenstich [DE],  Punto catenella ungherese [IT], Ponto corrente trançada húngara [PT].


How to do the Braided Chain Stitch

The Braided Chain Stitch is worked almost the same way as the Heavy Chain Stitch. There is only a slight difference in the way the needle is taken under the existing loops, thus giving it a totally different and embossed look. It follows a reverse pattern like the Reverse Chain Stitch and so we work it from top to bottom. To work this stitch, you should be aware of at least the Lazy Daisy Stitch. Knowledge of the Reverse Chain Stitch and Heavy Chain Stitch will only be more helpful. I will be working over a curved stitch line.

Fig 1: Lay the foundation by doing a Lazy Daisy Stitch with a slightly longer tail, and the base as point A.Fig 2: Bring the needle out through B and take it under the tail of the lazy daisy without plucking the fabric.
Fig 3: Put the needle back in B to get another loop, layering the lazy daisy from outside. Bring the needle out through C. Take it over the outside loop and under the inside loop as illustrated.Fig 4: Put the needle back in C to finish that loop.
Now Bring the needle back again through D and continue with the same procedure.
Fig 5: To make the taking of needle over and under the loops easier, here is a tip. Before tightening the ‘outer’ loop completely, you can take the needle under the ‘inner’ loop.Fig 6: You can then tighten the ‘outer’ loop by pulling the thread with your fingers and continue with the procedure.
Fig 7: A finished Braided Chain Stitch will look like this. It has a slightly embossed finish.

Video on how to do this stitch using the 3SAT Apple pattern

Learn Hand Embroidery Stitches | Whipped Back Stitch, Berry Stitch, Braided Chain Stitch

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Related Stitches from the Chain Stitch Family

chain_stitch_index

Chain Stitch

whipped_chain_stitch_index

Whipped Chain Stitch

double_chain_stitch_index

Double Chain Stitch

magic_chain_stitch_index

Magic Chain Stitch

lazy_daisy_index

Lazy Daisy

russian_stitch_index

Russian Chain Stitch

long_tailed_daisy_index

Long Tailed Daisy

feathered_chain_stitch_index

Feathered Chain

basque_stitch_index

Basque Stitch

petal_chain_stitch_index

Petal Chain Stitch

reverse_chain_stitch_index

Reverse Chain Stitch

heavy_chain_stitch_index

Heavy Chain Stitch

braided_chain_stitch_index

Braided Chain Stitch

zig_zag_chain_stitch_index

Zigzag Chain Stitch

cable_chain_stitch_index

Cable Chain Stitch

twisted_chain_stitch_index

Twisted Chain Stitch

alternating_twisted_chain_index

Alternating Twisted

barred_chain_stitch_index

Barred Chain Stitch

alternating_barred_chain_index

Alternating Barred

rossette_stitch_index

Rosette Stitch

rope_stitch_index

Rope Stitch

tulip_stitch_index

Tulip Stitch

bulls_head_index

Bull’s Head Stitch

detached_wheatear_stitch_index

Detached Wheat Ear

wheater_stitch_index

Wheat Ear Stitch

oyster_stitch_index

Oyster Stitch

butterfly_chain_stitch_index

Butterfly Chain Stitch

raised_chain_band_index

Raised Chain Band

knotted_chain_stitch_index

Knotted Chain Stitch

knotted_cable_chain_index

Knotted Cable Chain

open_chain_stitch_index

Open Chain Stitch

back_stitched_chain_stitch_index

Back Stitched Chain Stitch

sinhalese_chain_stitch_index

Sinhalese Chain Stitch

crested_chain_stitch_index

Crested Chain Stitch

checkered_chain_band_index

Checkered Chain Band

zig_zag_cable_chain_stitch_index

ZigZag Cable Chain

Interlaced Chain

37 Responses

  1. o
    olga hoffmann says:

    UNA BELLEZA EL PUNTO, QUEDA MUY BIEN Y MUY BIEN GRAFICADO- GRACIAS

  2. S
    Sandra Regina Rosa says:

    Lindos pontos. Obrigada

  3. F
    Fullara Dhar says:

    Very pretty and easy pattern

  4. M
    Macy Thornton says:

    Reenu, if you can’t learn from this website of Sarah’s, you can’t learn at all 🙂

  5. R
    Reenu says:

    Dear Sarah,
    I love to learn embroidery from you…But as I stay in kuwait ….I don’t know how I can learn from you…plz do help if you can by any online tutorial or something

  6. Ho visto questo punto , mi è piaciuto molto. Cercherò di imparare dalle fon sara difficile. Complimenti, e grazie per averlo
    pubblicato! Grazie Luciana Bellugi.

  7. Espectacular éste punto. Espero practicarlo en un nuevo proyecto. Gracias…

  8. f
    fatema says:

    umm….
    sorry for the typo, I meant next.

  9. f
    fatema says:

    hi!
    Great website!
    I would just hope that you could add some sort of a nest button to the end of each tutorial so that if someone wants to have a look at all of them one by one does not have to go through the tedious process of clicking on each individual stitch separately.
    thanks!

  10. l
    lipi says:

    Dear Sarah,
    it is so nice and easy!!!!Thanks

  11. E
    Elise says:

    Dear Sarah,

    Thank you so much for this tutorial. My work turned out beautifully!

    However, I have much the same question as Vilma above asked 11 months ago: What’s the history of this stitch? Where does it come from? You mentioned that it’s also known as Hungarian braided chain stitch — does it actually come from Hungary, or was that name applied elsewhere? What’s the oldest example of this stitch?

    Many thanks for your help!

    • sarah says:

      Dear Elise,
      Nice to know that you enjoyed working with this stitch.
      I try to research out the history, origins and applications of a stitch as much as possible. Sometimes, some details of certain stitches remain ever elusive.
      Going by the name, it is possible that this stitch has a Hungarian connection. There is also a slight chance that the name has no direct connection with the stitch. Well, as of now, I cannot confirm anything, but I will let know once I get convincing information about it.

  12. s
    sherly says:

    it helps me alot …thanks to this site i love it <3

  13. z
    zainab says:

    Hiii, sarah.. glad to write u about ur stitches…..i have been learning these stitches since one year…its really awesome…not so easy but the way u have uploaded pics of every single step has made me more confident to learn it..the problem is m not able to decide which stitches should be useon what designs…..can u help me in that ….

    • sarah says:

      Dear Zainab,

      Most stitches have specific uses in certain kinds of embroidery. For instance, the interlaced herringbone stitch is the core stitch in a well known Indian embroidery called Kutch work. But, there also other kinds of stitches that are used for the sheer effect it brings out, like, the Surrey stitch that can be used for a velvety look. I will be gradually be bringing out the embroidery styles in which certain stitches are used, but it will take time. So, try experimenting with the different stitches in the meantime. 🙂

  14. c
    cheryl seymour says:

    WHAT KIND OF YARN DO YOU USE?

  15. V
    Vilma says:

    My query is regards when the “braided chain stitch” was developed. I’m looking to do medieval embroidery and I need to make sure that the stitch/s I use have been developed before 1600 AD . Thank you

  16. S
    Sarah says:

    Hi Sarah,
    Thanks for a great, easy to follow tutorial! I have not come across braided chain stitch before and am excited to use it in my next project.
    Love the blog 🙂

  17. D
    Deborah Evans says:

    i wish I saw this before I chose a border stitch, good tutorial

  18. R
    Regina says:

    Hallo Sarah!
    vielen Dank für die Anleitung der vielen tollen Stiche ,alles ist super erklärt.Manche kenne ich aber viele Stiche sind völlig neu für mich.
    Nun ist es warm und ich habe Arbeit und Spaß im Garten aber das schlechte Wette kommt wieder und damit die Zeit zum Sticken
    Es sendet dir viele liebe Grüße Regina

  19. S
    Sona says:

    I don’t know where to start learning stitching but I’m very interested, I read a little of other people’s question and answers and don’t know where Pune is!

    So I really don’t know where to purchase the videos or books, please help!

    Thanks
    Sona

  20. Denise says:

    I am so happy that I found this blog!

  21. A
    Agila says:

    A big fan of u… Just wanted to know what kind of threads you r using….really thick and nice collection of threads…….
    Thks…Agila

  22. D
    Donna says:

    Thank u Sarah 4 all of these.

    • sarah says:

      🙂 Thanks Donna.

    • S
      Subhashini says:

      Thank you Sarah. I use your site often to refresh my knowledge on stitches. I volunteer as a crafts teacher in a local school and your site comes in very handy. My students are very happy to learn various stitches and use in their projects. Sometime, I will upload pictures of their work. Thanks again.

  23. R
    Ramona says:

    Sarah:
    The braided chain stitch is beautiful. I like to embroidery and have never seen this stitch before. You failed to state what type of embroidery thread you used to make this stitch.

  24. sarah says:

    Dear Caren,
    What you have suggested is a very sensible and useful idea. 🙂 Thanks!

    I am really impressed to know that your 5 year old son is learning to embroider. Wow! We too love to have a big family. My first child was born in the hottest season and we are expecting our second in the coldest. 😀

    Season’s greetings to you and your lovely family. Do share more of your nice works with us…it not only keep us encouraged but also inspires many beginners.

    • C
      Caren says:

      Thank you Sarah, I am working on a sampler of all of the chain stitches you have made into tutorials. I am learning them all, so it may take me a while to finish, but I will upload a picture when it is completed.

  25. C
    Caren says:

    Sarah, I have been learning how to do this stitch (braided chain stitch) this weekend. It takes more time than most chain stitches I have learned, but the result is so beautiful. I have found that it is easier for me to do the braiding that you illustrated in Step #5 with the EYE of the needle instead of the tip, that way the needle does not pick up the fabric under the chain stitch. Does that make sense? I will have to practice more on this. It really is a beautiful stitch. Thanks for sharing it! 🙂 Caren
    P.S. – Congratulations to you! My baby (#3) was born last January. It will be so fun to celebrate his first Christmas. His big brother (5 years) is learning to embroider, so we are embroidering ornaments for our decorations!

    • t
      the Oncoming Storm says:

      “I have found that it is easier for me to do the braiding that you illustrated in Step #5 with the EYE of the needle instead of the tip….”

      brilliant! i’ve happened upon the problem of plucking the fabric whilst running my needle under a loop. now, with your tip….it will never happen again!

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