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

Ermine Stitch is also known as

Ermine Filling Stitch [EN], Armiño Puntada [ES], Hermelin Stich [DE]

About the Ermine Stitch

The Ermine Stitch is an isolated stitch made with just three Straight Stitches. A vertical straight stitch is tacked down with a single Herringbone Stitch resembling the heraldic ermine design. This might also be the reason for the name of this stitch. Ermine Stitch can be used to scatter around to add texture and fill in a larger pattern.

How to do the Ermine Stitch


Fig 1: Bring the needle out from A, put it in through B to make a single vertical stitch.	Fig 2: Now, come out from C to cross over the vertical stitch into D. Come out by passing under the fabric to come out from E.

Fig 3: Go across into F, as you would for the Herringbone Stitch.	Fig 4: A cluster of the Ermine Stitch would look like this.