The Algerian Eye Stitch is also called the Algerian Eyelet Stitch or the Star Eyelet Stitch. You may see it as a motif or fill stitch in cross stitch, embroidery, hardanger and plastic canvas projects. An Algerian Eye Stitch has at least eight straight stitches that radiate from a central hole to create a star-like pattern inside a square area. That explains its alternate names: Star Stitch or Star Eyelet Stitch. The basic stitch uses 8 stitches but can also use up to 16 stitches.
Evenly spaced stitches are arranged in a square. You can work the stitch in thick thread on canvas or a thinner thread on even-weave fabrics. On even weave fabric, like counted cross stitch fabric, stitches can create holes if you pull firmly. This pull then creates the “eyes”.
Algerian eye stitch is effective as a single stitch, in rows to form bands as well as an all over pattern fill. In the first sample I used two different styles of Algerian eye stitch in an all over pattern.
How to Embroider the Algerian Eye
The Algerian Eye embroidery stitch is a star-type stitch that uses straight stitches.
Materials
- Fabric for embroidery - I like to use linen or cotton
- Embroidery floss or thread
Tools
- Embroidery needle suitable for floss or thread
- Embroidery hoop
- Embroidery scissors
Instructions
- Begin by hooping your fabric. I like to use a hoop for my hand embroidery projects because it keeps your fabric taut while you are stitching.
When stitching the Algerian Eye, you want to visualize a square on your fabric, or draw one with a removable pen or pencil. The center of that square is where each of the stitches will come together, and they will each have a spot on the outside perimeter of that "square".
Bring your needle up at the center point of your Algerian Eye (A).
- Take your needle back down in your fabric at the top center of your Algerian Eye (B).
- I like to then work from the outside into the middle. Bring your needle up on the middle of the right side of the "square" (C).
- Take your needle back down in the center (D), and up at the middle of the lower part of your "square" (E).
- Take your needle back down in the center (F).
- Now, bring your needle up on the middle of the left side of your square (G).
- Bringing the needle back down in the center (H).
- Now we'll fill in the four corners. Bring your needle back up in the upper left corner (I).
- And, back down in the center (J).
- Up in the upper right corner (K).
- And back down in the center (L).
- Bring your needle up in the lower right corner (M).
And back down in the center. - And the last stitch, bring your needle up in the lower left corner of your "square" (N).
And then bring your needle back down in the center. - Here is the finished Algerian Eye embroidery stitch.
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The Algerian eye stitch has at least 8 “legs” in each stitch. Then you could add another round, if you’d like, for 16 “legs”. Variations include going all of the way to the edge of the square, but I made every other one with the 2nd set of stitches not going to the edge of the square.
I used a variegated thread and love this 4″ sampler of the Algerian eye stitch!
This second sample of the Eye Stitch shows how it looks with different threads.
- Row 1: #12 pearl cotton, in an 8 ray stitch
- Row 2: #8 pearl cotton, in an 8 ray stitch
- Row 3: #5 pearl cotton, in an 8 ray stitch
- Row 4: #3 pearl cotton, in an 8 ray stitch
- Row 5: Silk lame braid, in a 16 ray stitch
- Row 6: Craft cord in a 16 ray stitch, taking the 2nd set of 8 stitches smaller
- Row 7: #8 pearl cotton, 8 ray stitch, using 2 different colors
- Row 8: #8 variegated pearl cotton
Here is another sample using #8 pearl cotton.
Check out all of the embroidery stories on Create Whimsy!
