Lazy Daisy Stitch: Easy Petals and Leaves for Beginners
Learn the lazy daisy (detached chain) stitch step by step to make petals and leaves, plus how to keep loops even and arrange a five-petal flower.
By Ayoub Farid · · 3 min read
The lazy daisy stitch, also called detached chain stitch or petal stitch, is a single loop held down at its tip by a tiny stitch. Five of them around a French knot make a sweet little flower, which is why it is one of the most satisfying stitches for beginners.
How to do a lazy daisy stitch, step by step
- Come up at the base of the petal (point 1), near the flower centre.
- Go back down in the same hole (or right beside it), leaving a loop on top.
- Come up at the tip of the petal (point 2), inside the loop.
- Pull gently until the loop forms a petal shape around the needle.
- Go down just outside the loop at the tip (point 3), making a tiny tacking stitch that holds the loop in place.
That's one petal. Repeat around the centre for a flower.
Making a five-petal flower
- Draw a small circle for the centre and five short lines like spokes, about 8–10 mm long.
- Stitch the petals opposite each other first (12 o'clock, then roughly 5 and 7 o'clock, and so on) so the spacing stays even.
- Fill the centre with one or a few French knots.
- Add a stem stitch stem and two lazy daisy leaves in green.
Tips for neat petals
- Keep loops the same size by marking a dot at each petal tip.
- Don't pull too tight, or the petal becomes a thin line. The loop should be plump.
- Use 3–4 strands for full-looking petals.
- For fatter petals, add a straight stitch inside the loop in the same or a contrasting colour.
Common mistakes
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Petals look like thin lines | Loop pulled too tight | Pull gently, stop when the loop is a teardrop |
| Petals twisted | Thread twisted while forming the loop | Let the needle dangle to untwist; guide the loop flat with your thumb |
| Uneven flower | Petals placed one after another around the circle | Mark tips, stitch opposite petals first |
| Loop slips out | Tacking stitch too small or inside the loop | Make the tacking stitch just over the loop's end |
Where to use lazy daisy
- Daisies, forget-me-nots and wildflowers (wildflower embroidery ideas)
- Leaves along a vine
- Wheat ears and lavender sprigs (lavender embroidery)
- Borders of little scallops
Lazy daisy is part of Hoopie's "Fills & flowers" track, where you build your first flower hoop. The library also has an animated lazy daisy guide with a left-handed view.
Frequently asked questions
Is lazy daisy the same as detached chain stitch?
Yes. A lazy daisy is a single chain stitch that is held down by a small stitch instead of being linked to the next one.
Why is it called lazy daisy?
Because you can make a whole daisy with just a few quick stitches, without filling the petals.
How many strands for lazy daisy?
Three or four strands give plump petals. Use two for tiny flowers.
How do I make lazy daisy petals the same size?
Mark a dot for the tip of each petal before you start and pull every loop with the same gentle tension.