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Exquisite stitches worked with silk

Plaited Braid Stitch


This stitch looks best when the fiber is corded and twisted. This is not an easy stitch but just takes some practice. Used for the model was Cotton Candy silk pearl #5 to show the stitch well, and 100% hand dyed silk unevenweave 30/36 fabric in Rose.

First Make sure that the fiber working end is looped under the needle.

Second This is what the stitch looks like after you pull the needle through. I find that placing my finger over the stitch as I'm pulling helps keep the silk from knotting or kinking.
The same thing that makes silk pearl the perfect fiber for this stitch is also the one thing that makes it hard to control - reeled silk is one long piece of silk, running the whole length of the strand. It gives this fiber lots of body but also makes it prone to kinking.

Third This is the plaiting step - and the one that makes it more difficult, but also the step that makes the stitch look so beautiful. You're passing the needle through the crossed silk in the previous stitch. This will form the loop for the next part of the stitch.

Fourth This is what the stitch now looks like, when the needle has been passed through the cross in the previous step. Don't pull too tight- you need that little loop for the last step.

Fifth
Pick up that little loop - you're back to step 1, using that little loop. Make sure to insert the needle directly in line with the first stitch, top and bottom. Also check that it's in the same row. This stitch looks the best on evenweave, and when the stitches are all equal. You'll now repeat all the steps again and again. The first few are the hardest - don't be afraid to do it a few times, before you start on your actual piece.

Sixth
A few stitches together. Nice and even!

Last
Look at that - the back of the fabric!