The chain stitch is one of the best-known stitches in embroidery. A member of the looped stitch category, it can be stitched along a curved or straight line. As an embroiderer, you will use it or one of its many variations all of the time. Once you've mastered the basic chain stitch, try the single or detached chain, lazy daisy, heavy chain, square chain, feathered chain, cable chain, and zigzag chain. Explore using it in combination with other stitches in any of the many free designs available or one of your own.