The working method of the blanket stitch is similar to that of the Buttonhole stitch but it should be remembered that blanket stitches are made with spaces between them. There are many variations of blanket stitch and it can be worked by varying the length and direction of the stitches as well as the spaces between them.

Uses: Is a good stitch for edging a turned over raw edge, but is often used in applique.

Alternative Name: Open buttonhole stitch

How to work: Work from left to right. Bring the needle up at 1, down at 2 and up at 3, with thread looped under the needle. Pull through. Repeat to the right. Fasten down the last loop by taking a small stitch along the lower line. (see illustration above).

Double Blanket Stitch
Double blanket stitch is worked in exactly the same way as single blanket stitch only this time work a row of blanket stitch from left to right then turn the work and work another row of blanket stitch. Position the 'teeth' of the stitch between the 'teeth' of the first line as shown in the picture.

Whipped Blanket Stitch
As we did yesterday with backstitch we can whip the lower edge with a contrasting colour thread. Start at the right side and bring your needle up through the fabric close to the first stitch and then pass the needle from top to bottom through each of the lower threads without going through the fabric.

Long and Short Blanket Stitch
Long and short blanket stitch is work in exactly the same way as before only this time you lengthen or shorten the stitch. You do this by working the stitches evenly as in the picture below.

Closed Blanket Stitch
To create a closed blanket stitch work from left to right and bring your needle up at 1, down at 2 and then back up again at 3. The thread should be beneath the needle, then pull through. Take your needle down again at 2 and up at 4 matching the diagonal slope of the first diagonal.

Crossed Blanket Stitch
To create the crossed blanket stitch you once again work from left to right. To create the first diagonal bring your needle up at 1 and then down at 2 then bring your needle up at 3. With the thread under the needle to work the second diagonal take your needle down at 4 and then up at 5 as shown in the photo. create the next stitch take the needle down at 6 and bring it up at 7 next to the bottom of the second diagonal stitch.

These are some of the variations of Blanket Stitch, there are more such as knotted or overlapping. The stitches don't have to be worked on a straight line they can be worked on a curve and over the edge of the fabric to neaten a raw edge.

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(stitch illustrations were designed by Andrew Whittle, please note all stitches are copyright 2009 Hand Embroidery Network)