Greetings,
Does anyone know of a Web site that shows a good example of how to do the running stitch? I will need to use this stich to shape the neck of a bear I am knitting for the Mother Bear Project <http://www.motherbearproject.org/>.
Thank you,
Amy
You’re referring to a type of embroidery st?
cam
Thank you for your reply. It does seem that it is an embroidery stitch, but I’m still not certain how the running stitch is done from the front of the neck of the bear to the back of the neck (poly stuffing in between)…
You’ll need to post the patt instr so we get a sense as to how it’s used.
cam
People are requested to order the pattern from the Mother Bear Project, but I think it would be fine to provide the specific instructions regarding the neck:
After stuffing the bear… “Sew a running stitch around the neck and draw it up to shape the neck.”
Basically the head of the bear starts right at the top of the bear sweater. Using this stitch will make or shape the neck.
Does this help?
Thank you,
Amy
Maybe this will help http://www.embroiderersguild.com/stitch/stitches/running.html
Pass the needle in and out of the fabric, making the surface stitches of equal length. The stitches on the underside should also be of equal length, but half the size or less than the upper stitches.
Thank you. I think I am going to need more instruction on this. I will keep searching. If I learn anything new, I will post it here.
Best regards,
Amy
Maybe it will help to call it a basting stitch, or even a gathering stitch. You’re just taking stitches long enough that the thread will pull through easily to gather the opening and make it smaller.
Maybe it will help to call it a basting stitch, or even a gathering stitch. You’re just taking stitches long enough that the thread will pull through easily to gather the opening and make it smaller.
That was my initial impression, as well. Also, the terminology may not be totally accurate. But w/o seeing the pattern close up, and perhaps having a better sense of what the st was intended to do, it’s just guesswork.
cam
I see ‘socks’ on KR provided you with the info you needed. You might want to contact the patt site and suggest they provide more detailed instruction for that step as I’m sure you’re not the first to be uncertain as to what was required.
cam
It sure sounds like a basting stitch to me. It’s also used in sewing to make ruffles as it can be pulled and the fabric gathered along the thread.
Greetings,
Thank you for the additional replies. Very helpful advice 
I just received permission from “socks4all” who responded to my question on the Knitter’s Review Forum, to post her helpful answer here as well. Please see below:
“Afther you have stuffed your bear and before you do your final seaming, thread a darning or yarn needle with the yarn used for the bear’s body. Leave about 4 inches of tail and starting from the inside (so the ends will already be hidden) poke the needle from the inside to the outside at the neckline. I usually go from right to left, poke the needle back to the inside about 3 stitches to the left of where the needle first came out. Do not pull the yarn tight yet. Lever the needle so that it is just below the knitted fabric and push it in until the tip is about 3 stitches further along the neckline. Poke the needle back to the right side. Now pull the yarn tight. Continue doing this until you’ve gone around the neck. End on the inside near the beginning tail of yarn. Pull the 2 ends of the yarn until you like the shape of the neck. Tie a square knot to secure and cut the ends. Sew up the stuffing hole. If the bear is already sewed together, start on the outside and proceed. Tie the knot on the outside then tug on the running st to pull the knot to the inside (sort of like centering your belt).”
Best regards,
Amy