This is a variation of the cretan stitch. It shows a technique where knots can be added on the elbows to give it a decorative look. The thicker the thread, the bigger the knot that will be formed. It can look similar to a zig zaged coral stitch.

I will work between four parallel stitch lines. You need to know the cretan stitch to be able to continue with this tutorial.

Fig 1: Start by taking the needle out through B, then in through D and C, as you would for the cretan stitch.		Fig 2: Now, take the needle in through the stitch. Keep the thread below the needle as shown and pull the needle out to form a knot at the ‘elbow’. Then, move to making the next stitch.
		Fig 3: A finished structure of knotted cretan stitch would look like this.

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Tags: cretan stitch, cretan stitch family, feather stitch, greece, greek, knotted cretan stitch, stitch family

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The scottish cretan stitch is a decorative variation of the cretan stitch. Blocks of cretan stitches are made to make beautiful pattern for border. The look can be varied by making the cretan stitches bigger or smaller, or closed or open.

You need to know the cretan stitch to be able to learn this variation.

Fig 1: Start by making a few cretan stitches. In the illustration, I have a set of three stitches on either sides. Now, take the needle under the stitches on the left side, without plucking the fabric below.		Fig 2: Now, turn around the needle and take the needle under the stitches on the right side, as shown. This finishes one ‘block’ of the scottish cretan stitch. Continue making such blocks of cretan stitch and repeat the process.
		Fig 3: A row of this stitch would look like this. I have used closed cretan stitch to do this row.

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Tags: cretan stitch, cretan stitch family, feather stitch, greece, greek, scottish cretan stitch, stitch family

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This family of stitches originated in the island of Crete, Greece. The women of this region have been using cretan stitch and its variations for several centuries.  

This stitch has a technical style similar to the feather stitch. So, I have put the cretan stitch family as under the feather stitch.

Cretan stitch is versetile and can be used in different ways to create different effects. For instance, by just changing the angle of the stitch, a new look can be created. The tutorials will explain this better.

I have divided this family into the following members:
1. Cretan stitch
2. Closed cretan stitch
3. Open cretan stitch
4. Scottish cretan stitch
5. Knotted cretan stitch

Each of these stitches, essentially, follows the same technique and differs only slightly from each other. They are used in accordance with the visual differences they make. When teamed up with other embellishing stitches, this family can be wonderful to work with.

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Tags: cretan stitch, cretan stitch family, feather stitch, greece, greek, stitch family

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