Stitch guide · Outlines

How to do a split stitch

Split stitch makes a fine, smooth line that looks like a tiny chain. Each new stitch comes up through the middle of the last one, splitting its strands. Use it for soft outlines, smooth lines in thread painting and as a crisp edge under satin stitch or long and short stitch.

Level Beginner

Use it in a pet portrait for…

An optional crisp edge around the eyes and nose before you fill them with satin stitch. Plain satin works fine without it.
A soft outline for a fluffy breed, where back stitch looks too sharp.
The edge under long and short stitch, if you go on to realistic fur.

How to do it, step by step

Up at 1, down at 2. Come up at 3, through the middle of that stitch, splitting it, and go down at 4. Then come up at 5, through the middle of the second stitch, and go down at 6.

Odd numbers: come up from the back Even numbers: go down Dashed: the next stitch

Come up at the start of your line.
Go down one stitch length along the line.
Come up through the middle of that stitch, splitting its strands with the needle on the way up.
Go down one stitch length ahead.
Come up through the middle of the stitch you just made. Each new stitch starts halfway back along the last one.
Keep the stitches short on curves, and finish under a few stitches on the back.

Common mistakes and how to fix them

It looks like back stitch, not a chain.: Aim for the center of the stitch, right between the strands. An even number of strands makes the middle easy to find.
A fuzzy, frayed line.: Use a shorter length of floss. Thread wears as it passes through the fabric again and again.
Jagged curves.: Shorten the stitches where the curve gets tight.

How many strands?

Two strands is easiest, because the needle can come up neatly between them. Any even number helps you hit the middle every time.

Embroidery floss comes as six thin strands twisted together. Cut a length from your fingertips to your elbow, pull out the strands you need one at a time, and lay them back together (DMC’s guide to stranded floss).

Questions people ask

What's the difference between split stitch and back stitch?

Back stitch goes backward to meet the last stitch. Split stitch goes forward and comes up through the middle of the last stitch, so it looks like a tiny chain and sits a little higher.

Why outline a shape in split stitch before satin stitch?

The satin stitches go down just outside the split-stitch edge, which gives them a firm line to follow, so the edge comes out crisp. On small shapes it's optional.

Does the needle come up or go down through the last stitch?

The Royal School of Needlework brings the needle up through it, and that's how we teach it. Some stitchers go down through it instead; both make a similar line.

Can I split stitch with one strand?

Yes, but it's fiddly. Two strands makes it easy to bring the needle up right between them.

Sources: Royal School of Needlework Stitch Bank: Split stitch · Royal School of Needlework Stitch Bank: Satin stitch