Oyster Stitch Embroidery Tutorial - Unusual And Versatile! -

The first time I used the oyster stitch was for these little birds in my freestyle embroidery tutorial. I remember spotting this stitch in some of my embroidery books, but it took me awhile to finally learn it because, to be honest, it looked a little confusing!

Is it a knot, a braid, or a tangled mess of thread?! It forms a beautiful yet somewhat amorphous shape. And yes, we’re all thinking it…kind of like an oyster! ha

In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through how to make an oyster stitch. I’m going to break it down into small steps so you can really see what’s happening. This will make it easier to learn and remember the next time you want to use it for something.

And stick around until the end of the post, because I’ll give you a few ideas for how to use it, and also how to embroider a swallow with it!

oyster stitch sampler - embroidered swallows and various oyster stitches using Etoile and stranded cotton floss

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How To Make An Oyster Stitch

The first part of this stitch is set up in the same way that you would make a twisted chain stitch. Then there are subsequent stitches that gradually build up the stitch into it’s unique shape.

Step 1: Come up through the fabric with needle and thread. Place the needle back down through the fabric directly to the left of the working thread.
Step 2: With your needle facing downward, grab a few millimeters of the fabric. Then wrap the working thread around the tip of the needle from left to right.
Step 3: Gently pull the working thread through until a twisted stitch forms.
Step 4: Place your needle under the right “leg” of the stitch from right to left.

Step 5: The stitch should now look kind of like a figure 8. At the top right, in between the right leg and right before the end of the working thread, place the needle down through the fabric.
Step 6: Grab the fabric with the needle, coming out at the base of the stitch.
Step 7: Wrap the working thread around the tip of the needle from left to right.
Step 8: Carefully pull the thread through. Then secure the stitch by going back down through the fabric at the base.

Extra Tips

It takes a little bit of practice, but once you get the hang of it this stitch is very satisfying to make.

Step 4 is where this stitch sometimes starts to fall apart. You always want to make sure that the little “leg” you place the needle under is the leg that is running underneath the other side of the thread. Otherwise, the stitch will simply unravel.
It’s helpful to secure the base of the stitch with your thumb as you’re pulling the working thread through, especially in Step 3 and Step 7. These points are where the thread might get disturbed or accidentally pulled too tight.
If the stitches get a little messy, don’t panic. You can usually get it lay more neatly by readjusting the threads with the tip of your needle.

oyster stitch using cotton floss and Etoile floss

For a fuller shape, consider using thicker, fluffier thread like crewel yarn or Etoile.
For a sparser fill, use less strands or a thinner piece of thread.

Ideas For Using The Oyster Stitch

Any circular or oval shape works great for the oyster stitch.

flower petals
oysters
leaves
birds

I’ll show you how I like to embroider birds with this stitch. I think it serves as a great foundation for the body of the bird, then I fill in around it to add the wings, head, beak and tail.

how to embroider a swallow using the oyster stitch

Fill in the body with 1 oyster stitch using 5 strands of beige thread.
Satin stitch the head using 2 strands of blue thread.
Long and short stitch along the throat and top half of the wings using 2 strands of orange thread.
Fill in the rest of the wings with long and short stitches using 2 strands grey thread.
Split stitch the beak and along the edges of the wings using 2 strands of brown thread.
Using 2 strands of dark brown, add long and short stitches along the tail.

Look for more interesting stitches to learn? I think you’ll find these intriguing:

Amanda

Amanda is a hand embroidery teacher and artist. With over 15 years of experience in the craft industry and embroidery, she owns and runs Crewel Ghoul, sharing accessible tutorials and patterns to help inspire fellow crafters to get creative. In addition to running this website, she teaches on Skillshare and Youtube.