Pekinese Stitch or Chinese Stitch as it is also known was used primarily in Chinese embroideries. Apparently it was worked on a tiny scale and gave the embroiderer eyesight problems hence it was also called Blind Stitch! Pekinese Stitch is made by working a line of backstitches and then threading with a contrasting colour or thread thickness. It gives a decorative braid-like appearance for borders, but can also be used as a filling stitch.

Ok, to work Pekinese Stitch, first work your row of backstitches. Next using a contrasting thread, bring your needle up at 1 (note this is the only time the thread enters the fabric till you get to the end of your row) take your needle up under the second stitch at 2, and then down again through the first stitch at 3, the loop of thread should be beneath the needle as shown. Pull through gently. You can tighten the loop or leave it slightly loose for a different effect. In the last example we used a thick wooly thread and created a tufted effect by working the rows of Pekinese Stitch close together.