The Pekinese Stitch

One of our favorite stitches is the pekinese stitch, which we used for the large stems on our Harvest Basket Block. I (Teri) have done a short video showing you how to do the stitch, but we also wanted to share the versatility of the stitch. You can achieve many different looks, depending on the kind of thread you use, the thickness of the thread, how tightly you weave the stitch, and whether you pull the loops to one side or keep them centered. The possibilities are endless!

I hope this video is helpful and you will want to try the stitch. Then take a peek at some of the ways we have put this stitch to use below and be inspired to give it a try. Enjoy!

These stems on the Violets block from In the Garden are stitched with Weeks DyeWorks #5 pearl cotton.

Valdani #12 pearl cotton creates the stem for this velvet violet on our Lovely Botanicals quilt.

And the same stem treatment here on a new design we are working on, Alsatian Urn, also with Weeks DyeWorks #5 pearl.

The Alsatian Urn also has the pekinese stitch woven much more loosely, creating petals on these daisies. Here, we used Thread Gatherers Aurora thread.

Two more examples of loosely woven, loopy pekinese stitch. The first flower has two strands of Weeks floss for a frilly effect, and Painters Threads #5 pearl is used for the flower petals around the button in the second picture.

A loose pekinese stitch with Weeks DyeWorks crewel wool makes nice furry boots. 

Stay tuned for more about this block in the very near future!

Rows of loosely woven pekinese stitches with two strands of The Gentle Art wool thread create a headful of curly hair. In these examples, the loops were left loose on both sides of the backstitch.

And the same technique is used for the geranium leaves on these flower boxes, using Weeks DyeWorks crewel wool thread.

And finally, we used silk/mohair yarn with the pekinese stitch to create this bird's luxurious tail feathers.

Isn't it a wonderful stitch? If you have tried it and would like to share one of your creations, please share it with us on our Facebook page. We'd love to be inspired by you!

And if you haven't joined the fun at the Woolen Oak Mystery Stitch-A-Long, it isn't too late! Patterns 1-9 are available for free download, and there are three more lovely designs to come. Our group on Facebook hold tons of inspiration, tips, and fun. Get them while they are free! You might even see a kit or two you would like to order.