The cable chain is a variation of the chain stitch. Each chain is separated with a link, which gives it the look of a real chain. Whereas the basic chain stitch is worked as a continuous line of chains. The cable chain can be work in straight or curved lines and can work as a decorative stitch in your embroidery designs.
Cable chain stitch tutorial
Materials:
· Fabric – cotton or linen fabric works well. I used osnaburg fabric which is 100% seeded cotton, but you can use any spare fabric you already have.
· Stranded embroidery thread
· Needle
· Scissors
Optional:
· Embroidery hoop
During this tutorial I am using osnaburg 100% cotton seeded fabric, DMC stranded cotton embroidery thread, a hand embroidery needle and a 5” DMC beechwood embroidery hoop.
1. Thread your needle using stranded embroidery thread and tie a knot at one end. For this tutorial I am using four strands of DMC stranded embroidery thread. You can choose how many strands of thread you would like to use.
2. Bring your needle through the fabric at point 1.
3. Wrap the thread around your needle once.
4. Leave a little gap and insert your needle into point 2.
5. Bring your needle straight back up at point 3, this forms the length of your stitch.
6. Wrap the thread underneath your needle.
7. Pull your needle through the fabric, gently pull the thread until the chain stitch forms.
8. Wrap the thread around the needle once.
9. Leave a small gap and insert your needle into point 5.
10. Bring your needle straight back up at point 6, this point should roughly be the same length as your first stitch.
11. Wrap the thread underneath your needle.
12. Pull your needle through the fabric, gently pull the thread until the chain stitch forms.
13. Continue this process until you reach your desired length of cable chain stitch.
14. Once you have reached the end of the cable chain stitch, insert your needle near the end of the last chain to secure the stitch.
15. The cable chain stitch is complete.
Cable chain stitch top tips
Vary the length of the chains to create a different look.
Keep the thread taught in one hand as you wrap the thread around your needle and insert into the fabric.
Use the chain stitch around straight and curved lines.
Cable Chain Stitch Video Tutorial
Happy stitching!
Hannah x
