Detached Chain Stitch

A Detached Chain Stitch, or a Single Chain Stitch, is a variation of the Chain Stitch in which each link of the chain is embroidered separately.

Other names of the stitch

Detached Chain stitch has many alternative names. In the various hand embroidery books and guides, this decorative stitch is also called Lazy daisy stitch, Single chain stitch, Daisy stitch, Link powdering stitch, Picot stitch, Loop stitch, Washable knot stitch, Link stitch, Detached daisy stitch, Knotted knot stitch, Tail chain stitch, and Tied loop stitch.

Detached Chain Stitch Embroidery with yellow pearl cotton

Detached Chain Stitch Embroidery back side — Reverse side of the sampler

Applications of the Detached Chain Stitch

Single Chain Stitch is a decorative and versatile embroidery technique. You can use it for:

Adding small decorative details. Single Chain stitch will look great as a dot in lettering or a small leaf in botanical embroidery.
Embroidering interrupted lines. Place Loop stitches along the marked line, and you will have a decorative outline similar to a running stitch but bolder and more elaborate.
Filling. Single Chain stitches, positioned at random angles, create a lovely textural powdered filling.
Creating flowers. Single Chain stitches positioned around the center create floral shapes. Depending on the configuration of the stitches, a Detached Chain stitch can depict the most basic daisy flower or very elaborate hydrangeas.

More stitches from the Chain Stitch family

Bulls Head
Tulip Stitch
Oyster Stitch

Learn how to embroider Detached Chain Stitch

Follow the step-by-step tutorial with detailed photos below, and you will learn the Single Chain Stitch quickly. If you are a visual learner, watch a video lesson in the tutorial or on the Practical Embroidery YouTube channel to learn this hand embroidery stitch faster.

How to embroider Detached Chain Stitch

Step-by-step hand embroidery tutorial

Make a loop
Take the needle to the surface, pull the thread through, and stab the needle to the same starting point. This will form a loop on the surface.
Bring the needle up
Take it up a small distance away from the starting point, inside the loop.
Tighten the loop
With the needle stopped halfway through, pull the thread from the back side to tighten the loop around the needle.
Anchor the loop
Pull the needle with a thread to the surface and make a tiny stitch to anchor the loop to the surface.
Filling with Detached Chain Stitch
To make the powdered filling, position Single Chain stitches at random angles but similar distances inside the marked area of the shape you are filling.

Detached Chain Stitch Video tutorial

How to Embroider Detached Chain Stitch | Step-by-Step Single Chain Stitch Tutorial — Detached Chain Stitch Video tutorial

Tools and materials I used for this sampler

Disclaimer. To cover the cost of creating free embroidery patterns and video tutorials for this blog, I do sometimes link to products. Please assume these links are affiliate links. If you choose to buy through my links then THANK YOU – it will make it possible for me to keep doing this.

Embroidery fabric cotton linen neutral colors Etsy — Embroidery fabric

What’s next?

If you’re in the mood to explore more hand embroidery stitches, check out the Stitches and Techniques page for the list of other fantastic stitches available on my blog. From timeless classics to modern twists, a whole world of stitches is waiting for you to explore and master. So, grab your hoop and needle, and let’s stitch our way to creative bliss!