Stem stitch is a series of stitches that overlap, and when done neatly, looks a bit like a rope.

These instructions are for right handers.

The stitch is worked from left to right and the thread should always be kept below the needle.

Bring your thread through to the front at point 1and take the needle through to the back at point 2. Come up through to the front at point 3 which is the same as point 1, pull your thread through to the front and take the needle through to the back again in point 4. Then, bring your thread through to the front at point 5 which is the same as point 2. Continue working along your line in the same way…

On the backside the stem stitch looks like a regular back stitch.