How to do the French Cretan Stitch - Sarah's Hand Embroidery Tutorials

About the French Cretan Stitch

The French Cretan Stitch incorporates extra loops to create a lacy effect. Three loops are made each time – the reason it is also called the Triple Cretan Stitch. Two loops are made vertical, giving it a distinct look from the rest of the stitches in the family. It can be used beautifully over borders and as an insertion stitch to attach pieces of fabric.

How to do the French Cretan Stitch


Fig 1: Start by working on the first Cretan Stitch, as shown.	Fig 2: Now, make the next one on the other side.

Fig 3: Next, pass the needle through the fabric vertically, as shown. Loop the thread under it. Pull out the needle.	Fig 4: Make another one, just like the one before. You can make the stitch slightly longer on either side if you’d like.

Fig 5: Now, make a Cretan Stitch on the other side.	Fig 6: Make one more, as shown, on the same side.

Fig 7: Again, make two vertical stitches to cover the space created on the other side.	Fig 8: Continue with the process. Note that the horizontal stitches are performed on one side, and the vertical ones cover the space on the other.

Fig 9: A portion of the stitch looks like this.