Oyster Stitch

On my latest YouTube video, I stitched little rosebuds using Oyster Stitch.  Here is a diagram of how to do the stitch. 

On the left, I marked three points to indicate where the needle pierces the fabric.  I do not usually mark this stitch but included this simply to illustrate the stitch in this instance.

Step 1: Come up at the upper right point, then going down at the upper left point and bring the needle up at the lower point, wrapping the thread as shown.. Pull snug, but not too tight.  The ends should cross one another creating a fish shape.  

Step 2: Bring the needle and thread around to the right, threading the needle under the  the first "tail" of the initial stitch.  Pull thread so it sits next to the first stitch. 

Step 3: Continue working in a counter clockwise direction, wrapping the thread around the previous stitch, taking the needle down in the space between the first and second stitch, coming up at the lowest point. Pull thread so it sits next to the first stitch. 

Step 4: Secure the stitches by taking the needle back down at the lowest point, just adjacent to where the needle and thread came up.  Make a knot on the reverse side. 

This stitch works well with heavier threads or doubled pearl cotton so that it stands out more.  Use it anywhere you want a flower such as a tulip or rosebud, where you want a flower petal, or for leaves.  

Here are a few examples of how I have used Oyster Stitch in the past.  

As flowers on the feather stitch that crossed the photo.  Using 3 strands of variegated embroidery floss.


As the white blooms with this stylized vine. Using 2 strands of pearl cotton size 8

As the center of the "flowers on this motif. Using 2 strands of pearl cotton size 12

As tulips next to the ric-rac, using 2 strands of variegated pearl cotton size 12