Cretan Stitch in Hand Embroidery Tutorial (Step By Step & Video)

Cretan Stitch is also known as Persian Stitch or Long Armed Feather Stitch. This is stitch is generally used as a filling to any design. You can also use this stitch in place of feather stitch. 

This stitch can easily be confused for the feather stitch, but if you observe both the working, you will notice that they are slightly different. This stitch takes a longer stitch than the feather stitch.

What you will need?

• Any fabric.
• Embroidery hoop, 15cm (6″) (Bigger if you are working on a larger design) ( You can purchase a set of 6 hoops from Amazon for your basic needs.)
• Tapestry needle
• Embroidery thread (You can buy this pack of 36 shades of the DMC embroidery floss.)

How many strands of floss do you need for making the Cretan stitch?

You can use all 6 strands of the floss. But if you are working on a finer design, then start with 2 strands of floss and increase the number of strands according to your design.

Step by Step Pictorial Process of making the Cretan stitch

1. For this stitch, we will work on 4 lines. Bring the thread up at point A on line 2. Insert from point B on line 4 to point C on line 3 keeping the thread below the needle as shown above. Note that point C is diagonal to point A and point B. Pull the thread up.

2. Now, take the needle on the other side and insert it from point D to point E. Pull the thread up.

3. Now, again take it from point F to point G.

4. Next, take it to the opposite side. Continue to work in a similar fashion until the end of the pattern.

Tips for working the Cretan stitch

• You can draw any shape and start from the middle of the design.

What is this stitch used for?

• It is a great filling design.
• This stitch can be used inside any kind of shape or pattern.
• Branches, Stems or Vines can be made with the cretan stitch.

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More stitches tutorials:

• Stem Stitch
• Chain Stitch
• Running Stitch
• French Knot
• Lazy Daisy
• Back Stitch
• Cable Chain Stitch
• Fly Stitch
• Bullion Knot
• Woven Trellis Stitch
• Long And Short Stitch

Check out the video tutorial below

So until next time,

Keep Stitching,

Fareeha

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