Russian Chain Stitch is also known as
Punto de cadena rusa [ES], Point de chaîne russe [FR], Russischer Kettenstich [DE], Punto catenella russo [IT], Ponto da cadeia russo [PT].
How to do the Russian Chain Stitch
As the name suggests, this stitch is found in Russian embroideries, usually along with the basic chain stitch. It is made by grouping together three lazy daisy stitches, in a clover shape. Ideally, the first Lazy Daisy loop would point upward. Since this is a motif stitch, it is good for borders. So, when you make horizontal borders, the stitches are placed one on the side of the other with the first Lazy Daisy pointing upwards. When doing a vertical border, they all fall below one another, but again with the first lazy daisy pointing upward. Of course, I suggest a lenient approach to using this stitch.
I will be doing this stitch in reverse order since it is easier to stitch this way. (So, you will see the first lazy daisy pointing downwards). I will work on a vertical border, over three parallel stitch lines. You need to know at least the Lazy Daisy Stitch to be able to follow this lesson.
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| Fig 1: We begin by making the first loop by bringing out the needle from the second stitch line at a point A. Put the needle back in A and bring it out from B. Loop the thread around the needle and pull out the needle. | Fig 2: Now, we make the second loop by putting in the needle back in B and bringing it out from C, which lies at an angle on the first stitch line. Loop the thread around and pull the needle out to make the second loop. |
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| Fig 3: Anchor up the Lazy Daisy loop and bring the needle out from B | Fig 4: Similarly, we make the third LazyDaisy loop, but this time towards the right side, with D lying at an angle on the third stitch line. |
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| Fig 5: Once finished, the clover-shaped Russian chain stitch would look like this. As mentioned before, this is in an upturned position. Ideally, the first loop should point upwards. | Fig 6: A series of vertical Russian chain stitches would show up like this (reverse order). You can choose to close them in or space them out. |
