Chain stitch

[3] Handmade chain stitch embroidery does not require that the needle pass through more than one layer of fabric.

Because chain stitches can form flowing, curved lines, they are used in many surface embroidery styles that mimic "drawing" in thread.

In Azerbaijan, in the Sheki region, this ancient type of needlework is called tekeldus.

[citation needed] The earliest archaeological evidence of chain stitch embroidery dates from 1100 BC in China.

[8][9] Machine embroidery in chain stitch, often in traditional hand-worked crewel designs, is found on curtains, bed linens, and upholstery fabrics.

Traditional embroidery in chain stitch on a Kazakh rug, contemporary
Detail of an embroidered silk gauze ritual garment from a 4th-century BC, Zhou era tomb at Mashan, Hubei province, China. Rows of even, round chain-stitches are used both for outline and to fill in color.
Machine embroidery in chain stitch on a voile curtain, China , early 21st century
Open chain stitch from Kalotaszeg , early 20th century
"Drawing" or outlining in basic chain stitch
Formation of a simple chain stitch using a looper
Formation of the double locking chain stitch