Braided Chain Stitch is also known as
Hungarian Braided Chain Stitch [EN], Punto cadena húngara [ES], Point de chaîne hongrois [FR], Ungarischer Kettenstich [DE], Punto catenella ungherese [IT], Ponto corrente trançada húngara [PT].
How to do the Braided Chain Stitch
The Braided Chain Stitch is worked almost the same way as the Heavy Chain Stitch. There is only a slight difference in the way the needle is taken under the existing loops, thus giving it a totally different and embossed look. It follows a reverse pattern like the Reverse Chain Stitch and so we work it from top to bottom. To work this stitch, you should be aware of at least the Lazy Daisy Stitch. Knowledge of the Reverse Chain Stitch and Heavy Chain Stitch will only be more helpful. I will be working over a curved stitch line.
 |
 |
| Fig 1: Lay the foundation by doing a Lazy Daisy Stitch with a slightly longer tail, and the base as point A. | Fig 2: Bring the needle out through B and take it under the tail of the lazy daisy without plucking the fabric. |
 |
 |
| Fig 3: Put the needle back in B to get another loop, layering the lazy daisy from outside. Bring the needle out through C. Take it over the outside loop and under the inside loop as illustrated. | Fig 4: Put the needle back in C to finish that loop. Now Bring the needle back again through D and continue with the same procedure. |
 |
 |
| Fig 5: To make the taking of needle over and under the loops easier, here is a tip. Before tightening the ‘outer’ loop completely, you can take the needle under the ‘inner’ loop. | Fig 6: You can then tighten the ‘outer’ loop by pulling the thread with your fingers and continue with the procedure. |
 |
|
| Fig 7: A finished Braided Chain Stitch will look like this. It has a slightly embossed finish. |
Video on how to do this stitch using the 3SAT Apple pattern
Learn Hand Embroidery Stitches | Whipped Back Stitch, Berry Stitch, Braided Chain Stitch
Visit and Subscribe to Sarah’s YouTube Channel
Related Stitches from the Chain Stitch Family
|
Chain Stitch
|
Whipped Chain Stitch
|
Double Chain Stitch
|
|
Magic Chain Stitch
|
Lazy Daisy
|
Russian Chain Stitch
|
|
Long Tailed Daisy
|
Feathered Chain
|
Basque Stitch
|
|
Petal Chain Stitch
|
Reverse Chain Stitch
|
Heavy Chain Stitch
|
|
Braided Chain Stitch
|
Zigzag Chain Stitch
|
Cable Chain Stitch
|
|
Twisted Chain Stitch
|
Alternating Twisted
|
Barred Chain Stitch
|
|
Alternating Barred
|
Rosette Stitch
|
Rope Stitch
|
|
Tulip Stitch
|
Bull’s Head Stitch
|
Detached Wheat Ear
|
|
Wheat Ear Stitch
|
Oyster Stitch
|
Butterfly Chain Stitch
|
|
Raised Chain Band
|
Knotted Chain Stitch
|
Knotted Cable Chain
|
|
Open Chain Stitch
|
Back Stitched Chain Stitch
|
Sinhalese Chain Stitch
|
|
Crested Chain Stitch
|
Checkered Chain Band
|
ZigZag Cable Chain
|
|
Interlaced Chain
|
Sarah has been researching and sharing hand embroidery lessons for over 17 years, making it accessible to everyone around the globe.
UNA BELLEZA EL PUNTO, QUEDA MUY BIEN Y MUY BIEN GRAFICADO- GRACIAS
Thank you, Olga! Happy that you liked this stitch. 🙂
Lindos pontos. Obrigada
Very pretty and easy pattern
Reenu, if you can’t learn from this website of Sarah’s, you can’t learn at all 🙂
:), Macy!
Dear Sarah,
I love to learn embroidery from you…But as I stay in kuwait ….I don’t know how I can learn from you…plz do help if you can by any online tutorial or something
Ho visto questo punto , mi è piaciuto molto. Cercherò di imparare dalle fon sara difficile. Complimenti, e grazie per averlo
pubblicato! Grazie Luciana Bellugi.
Espectacular éste punto. Espero practicarlo en un nuevo proyecto. Gracias…
umm….
sorry for the typo, I meant next.
hi!
Great website!
I would just hope that you could add some sort of a nest button to the end of each tutorial so that if someone wants to have a look at all of them one by one does not have to go through the tedious process of clicking on each individual stitch separately.
thanks!
Thanks fatema for the suggestion, will try that 🙂
Dear Sarah,
it is so nice and easy!!!!Thanks
Dear Sarah,
Thank you so much for this tutorial. My work turned out beautifully!
However, I have much the same question as Vilma above asked 11 months ago: What’s the history of this stitch? Where does it come from? You mentioned that it’s also known as Hungarian braided chain stitch — does it actually come from Hungary, or was that name applied elsewhere? What’s the oldest example of this stitch?
Many thanks for your help!
Dear Elise,
Nice to know that you enjoyed working with this stitch.
I try to research out the history, origins and applications of a stitch as much as possible. Sometimes, some details of certain stitches remain ever elusive.
Going by the name, it is possible that this stitch has a Hungarian connection. There is also a slight chance that the name has no direct connection with the stitch. Well, as of now, I cannot confirm anything, but I will let know once I get convincing information about it.
it helps me alot …thanks to this site i love it <3
Hiii, sarah.. glad to write u about ur stitches…..i have been learning these stitches since one year…its really awesome…not so easy but the way u have uploaded pics of every single step has made me more confident to learn it..the problem is m not able to decide which stitches should be useon what designs…..can u help me in that ….
Dear Zainab,
Most stitches have specific uses in certain kinds of embroidery. For instance, the interlaced herringbone stitch is the core stitch in a well known Indian embroidery called Kutch work. But, there also other kinds of stitches that are used for the sheer effect it brings out, like, the Surrey stitch that can be used for a velvety look. I will be gradually be bringing out the embroidery styles in which certain stitches are used, but it will take time. So, try experimenting with the different stitches in the meantime. 🙂
WHAT KIND OF YARN DO YOU USE?
Dear Cheryl,
I have used pearl or perle cotton for this stitch.
My query is regards when the “braided chain stitch” was developed. I’m looking to do medieval embroidery and I need to make sure that the stitch/s I use have been developed before 1600 AD . Thank you
Hi Sarah,
Thanks for a great, easy to follow tutorial! I have not come across braided chain stitch before and am excited to use it in my next project.
Love the blog 🙂
i wish I saw this before I chose a border stitch, good tutorial
Hallo Sarah!
vielen Dank für die Anleitung der vielen tollen Stiche ,alles ist super erklärt.Manche kenne ich aber viele Stiche sind völlig neu für mich.
Nun ist es warm und ich habe Arbeit und Spaß im Garten aber das schlechte Wette kommt wieder und damit die Zeit zum Sticken
Es sendet dir viele liebe Grüße Regina
I don’t know where to start learning stitching but I’m very interested, I read a little of other people’s question and answers and don’t know where Pune is!
So I really don’t know where to purchase the videos or books, please help!
Thanks
Sona
I am so happy that I found this blog!
A big fan of u… Just wanted to know what kind of threads you r using….really thick and nice collection of threads…….
Thks…Agila
Thank u Sarah 4 all of these.
🙂 Thanks Donna.
Thank you Sarah. I use your site often to refresh my knowledge on stitches. I volunteer as a crafts teacher in a local school and your site comes in very handy. My students are very happy to learn various stitches and use in their projects. Sometime, I will upload pictures of their work. Thanks again.
Dear Subhashini,
It will be great to see samples of your students’ stitches. 🙂
Sarah:
The braided chain stitch is beautiful. I like to embroidery and have never seen this stitch before. You failed to state what type of embroidery thread you used to make this stitch.
Dear Ramona,
Thanks! 🙂 The thread I have used here is pearl (perle) cotton. It is a non divisible cotton thread with sheen.
Dear Caren,
What you have suggested is a very sensible and useful idea. 🙂 Thanks!
I am really impressed to know that your 5 year old son is learning to embroider. Wow! We too love to have a big family. My first child was born in the hottest season and we are expecting our second in the coldest. 😀
Season’s greetings to you and your lovely family. Do share more of your nice works with us…it not only keep us encouraged but also inspires many beginners.
Thank you Sarah, I am working on a sampler of all of the chain stitches you have made into tutorials. I am learning them all, so it may take me a while to finish, but I will upload a picture when it is completed.
Sarah, I have been learning how to do this stitch (braided chain stitch) this weekend. It takes more time than most chain stitches I have learned, but the result is so beautiful. I have found that it is easier for me to do the braiding that you illustrated in Step #5 with the EYE of the needle instead of the tip, that way the needle does not pick up the fabric under the chain stitch. Does that make sense? I will have to practice more on this. It really is a beautiful stitch. Thanks for sharing it! 🙂 Caren
P.S. – Congratulations to you! My baby (#3) was born last January. It will be so fun to celebrate his first Christmas. His big brother (5 years) is learning to embroider, so we are embroidering ornaments for our decorations!
“I have found that it is easier for me to do the braiding that you illustrated in Step #5 with the EYE of the needle instead of the tip….”
brilliant! i’ve happened upon the problem of plucking the fabric whilst running my needle under a loop. now, with your tip….it will never happen again!