Sunday 30 April 2017

Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 20: Tete-de-boeuf Stitch

Last week's Satin Stitch Outline had the French name Cordonette.
This week's stitch has a French name, too, Tete-de-boeuf, which in English is sometimes called Bull's Head Stitch. I'll stick to the usual French expression.
In Swedish it is called Öglestygn med extra stygn, a bit of a mouthful!
Annet tells me it is called Ossekopsteek in Dutch.

It is an easy stitch and consists of a Detached Chain Stitch and two straight stitches at an angle.

Work it like this:







Different books give different instructions as to where to insert, and how to angle the straight stitches, as well as how long to make them. I think you should have the freedom to choose yourself...






 

 

On my Aida sampler I used a variegated thread:


Homework:
It isn't a Canvas stitch, but use it as a filling stitch nevertheless.

14 comments:

Rachel said...

I've never been quite convinced of the bovine character of tete-de-boeuf. It's a charming stitch, but for me, it's more like a plant beginning to sprout!

Queeniepatch said...

I can't really see the bull's head either. It is a perfect stitch for plants

margaret said...

looks good like you prefer the french name too it

Queeniepatch said...

It's basic, easy and so flexible, whatever the name!

Pamela said...

I like this stitch and have used it quite a bit. I didn't know it's name though.

Queeniepatch said...

It is often confused with Wheatear Stitch, isn't it?

Annet said...

This is a stitch I know, in Dutch it's called ossekopsteek. I think it would make a nice filling if you alternate the direction of this stitch.

Queeniepatch said...

I have played a bit with the directions and yes, it can make a nice filing stitch.

carorose said...

I think something got lost in the translation. Bull's Head? Still, I like the stitch.

Janie said...

It looks good in the variegated blue. I think it looks like a flower too.

https://linsartyblobs.blogspot.com said...

I think I've used this stitch for flowers. When I saw the word beouf in the title I almost thought you'd posted about a recipe :-)

Queeniepatch said...

I know! It is a strange translation, and I have found that there are two different stitches with the same name, too.

Queeniepatch said...

The variegated thread adds interest.

Queeniepatch said...

Ha, ha! Yes, it does sound like something from a menu of a French restaurant - beef head! Is it stewed, roasted or potted?
There are two different stitches with the same name. One of them (not the one I introduced in the lesson) DOES look like a bull's head, with horns and all.