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 stitch is an open variation of the cretan stitch. It gives a very spaced out look and defines the features of the cretan stitch clearly. It can be used imaginatively as a motif stitch or otherwise.

You need to know the cretan stitch to be able to do this stitch.

I will be working between four stitch lines A, B, C, D, to illustrate this stitch.

Fig 1: We start by bringing the needle out from B, taking it in through D and out again through C.  Keep the needle above the thread as shown.		Fig 2:  Now take the needle in through A and out from B, with the needle above the thread, as shown. Remember to keep the points spaced out enough to give it an open look.
		Fig 3: A finished row would look like this.

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Tags: closed cretan stitch, cretan stitch, crete, crewel embroidery, feather stitch, filling stitch, greece, long armed feather stitch, persian stitch

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This stitch is used to fill in simple patterns like leaves. It uses the same technique as the cretan stitch with each stitch close to each other to fill in gaps.

If you know the cretan stitch, it will be an advantage.

I will work between four stitch lines to demonstrate this stitch. Each stitch line is named A, B, C, D.

Fig 1: Bring your needle out from A, taking it in through D and then out again through C. All these stitch points lie in a straight line. Keep the needle above the thread, as shown.		Fig 2: Now, take the needle in through A and out through B, keeping the needle above the thread. A and B would be in a straight line.
Fig 3: Keep up with this process of taking the needle in through the outer stitch lines and back out through the inner stitch lines, keeping each stitch point adjacent to each other.		Fig 4: The final result wil be as shown. You can see a braided effect running through the middle of the entire filling.

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Tags: closed cretan stitch, cretan stitch, crete, crewel embroidery, feather stitch, filling stitch, greece, long armed feather stitch, persian stitch

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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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