chain stitch

American  

noun

1. a kind of ornamental hand stitching in which each stitch forms a loop through the forward end of the next.

2. a basic crochet stitch in which yarn is pulled with the crochet hook through a loop on the hook to form a continuous strand of interlocking single loops.

3. a machine stitch forming a chain on the underside of the fabric.

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chain stitch British  

noun

1. an ornamental looped embroidery stitch resembling the links of a chain

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verb

1. to sew (something) with this stitch

Etymology

Origin of chain stitch

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

The first embroidery stitch María Méndez Rodríguez learned at the age of 7 was the chain stitch.

From The Verge • Feb. 12, 2022

The difficulty of working chain stitch in a frame probably led to the introduction of a hook for this class of embroidery.

From Handbook of Embroidery by Alford, Marianne Margaret Compton Cust, Viscountess

The chain stitch, besides being ornamental, makes one of the best darning stitches, reproducing the stitch in knitting.

From Textiles and Clothing by Watson, Kate Heintz

Second row—work a long stitch into the one chain stitch in last row, make one chain stitch, work another long stitch into the same place, make two chain stitches, and repeat.

From The New Guide to Knitting & Crochet by Cooper, Marie Jane

This chain stitch was much employed for ground patterns in the beautiful gold-coloured work on linen for dress or furniture which prevailed from the time of James I. to the middle of the eighteenth century.

From Handbook of Embroidery by Alford, Marianne Margaret Compton Cust, Viscountess