Herringbone stitch
File:Herringbone stitch knitted.jpg
File:Clarinda Crowel sampler - DPLA - 7de72f51885bb17cbbe0e05b162086fd (page 3).jpg
A herringbone stitch is a needlework stitch used in embroidery, knitting and crochet. It is so named as it resembles the bones extending from the spine of a herring fish. In knitting, it is a stitch that creates a fabric pattern closely resembling a herringbone pattern, or herringbone cloth.
A knitted herringbone stitch creates a firm fabric "similar to a woven in appearance and elasticity".{{cite book|title=Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Needlework|url=https://archive.org/details/readersdigestcom00colt|url-access=registration|year=1979|publisher=The Reader's Digest Association Canada|location=Montreal|isbn=0888500858|pages=[https://archive.org/details/readersdigestcom00colt/page/301 301]|editor=Virginia Colton}} A heavyweight fabric can be made with variations of the herringbone stitch, such as the herringbone twist stitch, which can be worked in either one or two colours; both versions are suitable for experienced knitters.{{cite book|title=The Ultimate Source Book of Knitting and Crochet Stitches|year=2003|publisher=Collins & Brown Limited; The Reader's Digest Association|isbn=0762104058|pages=96}}
Cultural symbolism
The herringbone stitch is used as one of the symbolic motifs in the traditional knitted Aran jumper, or "fisherman's sweater"; specifically, the tradition as it exists in the Channel Islands of Guernsey, Jersey and Filey. The herringbone pattern represents the "fisherman's catch and thus for success in one's career".{{cite book|last=Domnick|first=Sabine|title=Cables, Diamonds, Herringbone: Secrets of Knitting Traditional Fishermen's Sweaters|year=2007|publisher=Down East Books|isbn=9780892726882|pages=53, 71}}
See also
{{commonscat|Herringbone stitch}}