Magic Chain Stitch


Magic Chain Stitch is also known as

Chequered chain stitch [EN], Cadeneta bicolor / Cadaneta mágico [ES], Point magique / Chaînette magique [FR], Magischer kettenstich [DE], Ponto de cadeia xadrez [PT].


How to do the Magic Chain Stitch

This is a little tricky for the first time doers. So be careful not to twine the threads too much in the process, and keep slow pace and patience. Magic Chain Stitch is a wonderful stitch, which uses two (or more) colors alternately to form the chain sequence. You need to know the Chain Stitch to be able to do this. I will be working over a curvy stitch line with three strands of pink and purple threads each.

Fig 1: Use two colored threads of equal thickness and pull it through one needle.
Fig 2: Since this follows the chain stitch procedure, position the needle the way we would in chain stitch, as shown above.Fig 3: Now, loop ONLY the first color of thread around the needle. I have looped the purple thread first.
Fig 4: Pull out the needle to get one loop of the first color.Fig 5: Now, put in the needle for the next loop, as we would in chain stitch.
Fig 6: Loop around the second color this time.Fig 7: Pull out the needle and you will see a loop of the second color.
Fig 8: Continue the process of this chain stitching, looping each color alternately, to get a pattern like shown above.

45 Responses

  1. L
    Lucy says:

    Love it! 💜

  2. T
    Theresa Hicks says:

    How how do you join more floss to continue the chain?

    • Sarah says:

      Hi Theresa,
      End the last chain by anchoring it down with a small stitch, as usual.
      Next, come out with the fresh thread from inside the last chain. Now, you would continue stitching the Magic Chain as usual- take the needle in through the last chain (not exactly through the same hole that you brought the fresh thread out from), and come out outside the chain to make the next chain.
      Ensure you are looping the correct color while continuing.

      I hope this helps. Let me know! 🙂

  3. S
    Sonja says:

    Very clever. Enjoying your website very much.

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