Loops Stitch
The loops stitch is a series of free loops of thread that stand up from the fabric. Each loop is held only at its base, so the top stays open and soft. Worked close together, loops give a raised, tufted texture: foliage on a tree, lilac and hydrangea heads, sheep wool, moss, grass. Spaced in a ring, they make petals that stand up from the fabric. The loops stitch is easy, but it needs two habits to stay neat: a gauge to keep the loops the same height, and a small anchoring stitch so the loops cannot pull out.
How to do the loops stitch, in short: make a small stitch but leave it unpulled as a loop of the height you want, then hold it in place with a tiny stitch at its base before making the next loop. Leave the loops whole for a soft texture or cut them for a pile.
A note on names: “loop stitch” is also used for a different, flat band stitch, also known as knotted loop or centipede stitch. This page is about the raised, free loops from our Stitch Guide.
| Difficulty | Beginner |
| Used for | Raised petals, foliage, tree crowns, flower heads, wool, moss and grass |
| Thread | 4–6 strands of stranded cotton, perle cotton No. 5 or 8, or crewel wool |
| Needle | Chenille or crewel (embroidery) needle |
| Loop height | 2–5 mm for texture; up to 10 mm for petals |
What You Need
- A gauge for the loop height. A spare needle, a toothpick, a knitting needle or a pencil. The thicker the gauge, the bigger the loops.
- Thread with some body. Perle cotton and wool hold an open loop well. Two or three strands of stranded cotton are too soft and the loops collapse.
- Fabric in a hoop, drum-tight. Firm fabric keeps the base of each loop small and tight.
- Your design marked as an area, not a line. Loops fill a shape, so mark where the texture should start and stop.
How to Work the Loops Stitch
- Bring the needle up at A, where the loop should start.
- Insert the needle next to A, one or two fabric threads away. Not into the same hole: there is nothing to hold the loop there.
- Put the gauge into the loop before the loop is pulled down. Pull the thread from the back until the loop sits snugly around the gauge.
- Anchor the base. Bring the needle up just beside the base of the loop and take a tiny straight stitch across both legs of the loop, close to the fabric. This pinches the base, so the next loop cannot pull this one out.
- Make the next loop right beside the first: come up next to the anchoring stitch and repeat. Keep the gauge in until the next loop is in place.
- Work in rows from the outside of the shape inwards, or in a spiral for a round flower head. Leave a little space between loops so they stand up instead of squashing each other.
How to Control the Height and Texture
| Look | Thread | Gauge | Spacing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine moss or grass | Perle No. 8 or 4 strands | Embroidery needle | Close together |
| Foliage, flower heads | Perle No. 5 or 4–6 strands | Toothpick or thick needle | 2–3 mm apart |
| Large petals | Perle No. 5 or wool | Pencil or knitting needle | In a ring, around a centre |
Use two or three shades of the same colour in one area: darker loops at the bottom and edges, lighter ones on top. This gives the texture depth without extra stitches.
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
| Problem | Why it happens | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| A loop pulls out when the next one is made | No anchoring stitch, or the needle went down in the same hole | Go down one or two threads from A and pinch each loop at its base with a tiny stitch. |
| Loops of different heights | The loop was sized by eye | Use a gauge and keep it in until the next loop is made. |
| Loops collapse or twist | Thread too soft or too thin | Use perle cotton, wool or more strands of stranded cotton. |
| The texture looks flat and squashed | Loops packed too densely | Leave 2–3 mm between loops so each one can stand up. |
| Loops snag on everything | Loops too long for the item | Keep loops to 2–5 mm on cushions, bags and clothes, or use them only on framed work. |
| Loops get crushed in the hoop | The hoop was clamped over finished loops | Work the loops last and keep them outside the hoop when you move it. |
Where to Use the Loops Stitch
- Petals. A ring of loops around a French knot centre makes a flower that stands up from the fabric.
- Tree crowns and bushes. Loops in several greens, packed closely.
- Flower heads. Lilac, hydrangea and mimosa, in two or three shades.
- Branches and twigs. A line of loops along a stem gives a fluffy, leafy branch.
- Animal textures. Sheep wool, poodle fur, a fluffy tail.
Loops Stitch vs Lazy Daisy vs Turkey Work
- Lazy daisy: a loop held at its tip by a small stitch, so it lies flat on the fabric. The lazy daisy is better for flat petals and leaves; free loops are better for raised texture.
- Turkey work: loops anchored with back stitches, usually cut afterwards to make a pile, like a rug. Free loops are left uncut.
- French knots: packed together, French knots give a lower, denser texture than loops.
- Looped bullion: a firm coiled loop instead of a soft loop of thread. The looped bullion stitch holds its shape better but is slower to work.
For an overview of all the basic stitches, see our complete guide to hand embroidery stitches. If you are just starting, read our guide to hand embroidery for beginners.
Patterns to Practise Your Stitches On
Our beginner-friendly patterns are a good place to practise the basic stitches before adding raised texture:
These patterns use loops stitch for raised texture: Ant on a Mossy Mound, Grazing Sheep in a Meadow, Alpaca in Wildflowers and Koala Hugging a Branch.
New to Embroidery? Start with a Free Pattern
All of our free embroidery patterns in one place:
Loops Stitch FAQ
How do I keep embroidery loops the same size?
Use a gauge: a spare needle, toothpick or pencil inside the loop while you pull the thread to the back. Keep it in until the next loop is made.
Why do my loops pull out?
The needle went down in the same hole it came up from, or the base was not anchored. Go down one or two fabric threads away and pinch each loop at the base with a tiny stitch.
What thread is best for loops?
Thread with some body: perle cotton, crewel wool or 4–6 strands of stranded cotton. Thin, soft thread lets the loops collapse.
