TRELLIS STITCH
 
The Trellis Stitch is one of two basic stitches used for Geometric Smocking (the other being the Cable Stitch). The stitch resembles the Outline or Stem Stitch, except that the needle travels up or down the pleat.

The needle is still inserted through the pleat horizontally; even though the stitch is slanted.
 
 
The angle of the slanted line that the Trellis Stitch makes is controlled by how far the needle travels for each stitch. Usually, you can control the slant by counting the number of stitches it takes to travel from one pleating row to the next. Here you can see the effect of 3, 4, and 5 Trellis Stitches per row :
 
      
 
Hints:
  • As with the Cable Stitch, when stitching with multiple strands of thread, make sure that the strands lie parallel on the fabric, not twisted or bunched. The stitch will be fuller if the strands lie in a flat ribbon on the pleats.
  • Be careful that you move to the next pleat with each stitch. A common beginner's mistake is to stitch in the same stitch that you exited.
  • Another common beginner's mistake is to skip a pleat. Be careful that your Trellis Stitch covers two pleats only.
 
Uses:
 
See Also: