Oyster Stitch is also known as
Puntada de ostra [ES], Austernstich [DE], Ponto de ostra [PT].
How to do the Oyster Stitch
Oyster stitch is complex looking but in fact easy. It is a combination of a single rosette stitch loop and the lazy daisy. This stitch is where lazy daisy stitch encircles the rosette stitch loop, or in other words, the rosette stitch fills the lazy daisy. You get a slight embossed feel from this stitch and can be used for small petal or leaf, or any similar formations.
You need to know the Rosette Stitch and Lazy Daisy to be able to do the oyster stitch.
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| Fig 1: We begin by doing a Rossette Stitch loop. So, we bring the needle out through A, put it in through B, and bring it out through C as shown above. We loop the thread around the needle to form a twisted chain loop. | Fig 2: Once we get a twisted loop, we take the needle beneath the right leg of the loop as we would in Rossette Stitch. |
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| Fig 3: Now, we will encircle the Rossette stitch with the lazy daisy. For that, continue by putting in the needle through A (where the right leg of the Rossette stitch begins) and bring it out from C. Loop the thread around as we would for a lazy daisy, as shown above. | Fig 4: Pull the needle out from C and anchor the lazy daisy loop. |
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| Fig 5: A finished Oyster Stitch would look like this. |
Learn to do Oyster Stitch in 2 minutes!
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Related Projects
Do you want to know where and how to use this stitch? Check out the projects below and learn more. Make something beautiful!
Sarah has been researching and sharing hand embroidery lessons for over 17 years, making it accessible to everyone around the globe.
Hi Sarah, first time I have visited your site. Thank you so very much for your clear explanation and visual instructions. Solved my problem. Definitely bookmarking your site. Very grateful. Louise.
Wow! Welcome, Louise. 🙂 Hope you enjoy learning from us. You can also post some of your embroidery work as a part of our comment section! Happy learning.
I am brand new to blogging and was wondering if I could link you to my page? I’m not sure how yet, but I would love to.
Thank you for your wonderful Oyster Stitch Tutorial.
Naomi
Sure Naomi, go ahead and link us to your page. 🙂
Thank you very much for your tutorials. It is very easy to folllow.
Your tutorials are wonderful. They are so easy to follow.
I’ve been using the oyster stitch for my mixed media dolls. Thanks for your tutorials, i’m learning new stitches for my works.
María
Wonderful, colorful – have added your dolls to “pictured comments” – check the “reference” menu.
Thanks, Rocksea, I’ll check it out.
How did you mix those colors?? I Love the color. 🙂
Dear Pamela,
This is a mixed colored cotton floss. You get it in various shades and colors. This is one with blue and purple. 🙂
wonderful – thank you for this tutorial!
Thanks, much easier than the other directions I saw .
Sarah, thank you so much for these really high-quality step-by-step photos — I just love visiting your site!
Dear mom, Thanks for your reply.
Dear mom,What type of embroidery thread u have used for
chain stitches. Pl, tell thread brand name. Thank you.
Hello Sundari,
I have used ‘pearl cotton’ of ‘anchor’ brand to illustrate the chain stitches. you should be able to find it in most of the shops that sell embroidery goods. 🙂
Hi Sarah,
What type of needle u have used for oyster stitch.
Sonali
Hello Sonali,
I have used a normal embroidery/ stitching needle for this stitch.
wish to have a earring like this…:)