Single and double
herringbone stitches for Japanese temari

This stitch makes a fascinating, kaleidoscopic design, circling the ball and drawing our eyes into the center and out again following the layers of color. It can also be stitched over a band of threads (like an obi around the equator) to hold them in place. The basic herringbone stitch goes like this:

herringbone stitch

Come up at 1, down at 2, up at 3, down at 4, up at 5, etc. To form points, keep the backstitch part of the pattern (for example from #4 to #5 in the above drawing ) small so a point is formed. Or take larger backstiches to form decorative X's

herringbone stitch 2

Or stitch around the ball to form a flower. Here is a 4-petal flower formed by stitching one row herringbone stitch around the ball.

4 petal herringbone

Here is a single herringbone stitched over an obi. Come up at 1, down at 2, up at 3, etc.

drawing of a single herringbone stitch on a Japanese temari ball

Here is a single herringbone stitched around a center.

single herringbone

Here is a double herringbone stitched over an obi. Stitch right over the top of the first row of herringbone stitches.

drawing of a double herringbone stitch on a Japanese temari ball

double herringbone

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Single and double herringbone stitches for Japanese temari

Single and double
herringbone stitches for Japanese temari