A broad category of stitches in knitting, crochet, and sewing that prioritize aesthetic design over basic fabric creation or seaming. In sewing machines, these are the pre-programmed decorative motifs like scallops or vines. In hand knitting, they include lace, cables, and bobbles that break up a plain stockinette fabric.
Heard on the job
The machine keeps skipping when I switch the dial to the fancy stitch for the hem.
Related terms
Bobble
A raised, three-dimensional bump created in knitted or crocheted fabric.
Seed stitch
A textured knitting pattern created by alternating single knit and purl stitches horizontally and vertically.
Lockstitch
The standard mechanical stitch formed by interlocking a top thread and a bottom bobbin thread.