Lazy Daisy Stitch

Lazy Daisy Stitch is an essential and popular decorative hand embroidery technique. It is elementary and versatile and is widely used in modern hand embroidery. This stitch definitely belongs on the list of the best embroidery stitches. It is one of the hand embroidery stitches beginners should learn at the beginning of their training.

Lazy Daisy is one of the alternative names of the Detached Chain Stitch. In essence, these two are the same embroidery technique. The only thing that differs is how the detached stitches are positioned.

Other names of the stitch

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

Lazy Daisy Stitch embroidery with pink pearl cotton thread

Lazy Daisy Stitch reverse side — Reverse side of the sampler

Detached Chain Stitch Embroidery with yellow pearl cotton — Detached Chain Stitch

Applications of the Daisy Stitch

This simple hand embroidery stitch has many applications:

If grouped in a round shape (like in my sampler), it forms flowers, petals, or snowflakes.
Small flowers (or half flowers) positioned in a line can be used as a decorative border stitch.
Lazy Daisies of various sizes positioned close to each other are great as a filling technique.
Lazy Daisy Stitch is often used in combined decorative borders and composite stitches.

More stitches from the Chain Stitch family

Double Lazy Daisy stitch
Russian Chain Stitch
Crown Stitch

Learn how to embroider Lazy Daisy Stitch

Follow the step-by-step tutorial with detailed photos below, and you will learn the Lazy Daisy 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 Lazy Daisy Stitch

Step-by-step tutorial hand embroidery tutorial

Mark the center
Choose where the center of the flower is positioned and push the needle up to the surface in that spot. Pull the thread to the surface.
Form the loop
Take the needle down at the same spot where the thread comes out from the surface. Pull half the thread down, leaving the loop on the surface.
First stitch
Decide on the size of the petals and bring the needle up in the inside of the loop at this point.
Form the petal
With a needle halfway through the fabric, gently pull the thread from the back to tighten the loop.
Anchor the petal
Take the needle over the loop and make a tiny holding stitch to secure it.
Add more petals
Repeat the steps to add more petals to your Lazy Daisy flower.
Finish the flower
Anchor the last petal and secure the thread on the back (or make more flowers).
Number of petals
Any number of petals – odd or even – will work well. Half flowers will look great as a border decor.

Video tutorial

How to Embroider Lazy Daisy Stitch | Easy Hand Embroidery Tutorial for Beginners

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!