chain stitch

Chain stitch,another kashmiri handicraft be it in wool, silk or cotton, is  usually done by
hook rather than by needle. The hook is known to as "aari", hook work covers a very
larger area than needle work in the same amount of time. The worth of each piece lies
in the sizes of the stitches and the yarn used. Stitches need to be small, even sized and
neat.Chain stitch embroidery is accomplished on white cotton fabric,which is pre-shrunk
by the manufacturers. The background of fabric should not be visible through the
stitches.

Chain stitch design ranges from floral patterns to animal and human forms traced by
a craftsman, while the craftsman embroiders in two-ply or three ply woollen or silken
yarn. It is accomplished with a hook in long flowing pattern The rug looks like a carpet
in which the pile is substituted by the texture. Chainstitch rugs is used both as floor
covering and wall hanging.

The rug is supported with cloth-lining to add to the durability. It comes in sizes 2x3,
3x5, 6x4, 6x9 and 9x12 feet.

chain stitch done on crewel cloth