then moves the material forward projecting the loop on the underside from the previous stitch. The next drop of the needle goes through the previous loop. The circular needle then releases the first loop and picks up the new loop and the process repeats. The double chain stitch uses two threads. It is rarely used in today's machines except for ornamental purposes because it uses more thread than other stitches. It is found in bulk material packaging, where it is used to close large bags. As this stitch can be easily unraveled, this permits easy opening of bags sewn shut in this manner. Machine stitch gallery Notes Union Special Portable Chain Stitch machine internal mechanism 2200 Portable bag closing machines See also List of knots References Virginia Churchill Bath, Needlework in America, Viking Press, 1979 S.F.A. Caulfield and B.C. Saward, The Dictionary of Needlework, 1885. Mrs. Archibald Christie. Samplers and Stitches, a handbook of the embroiderer's art, London 1920, 1989 facsimile: Batsford, , or online at Project Gutenberg John Gillow and Bryan Sentance: World Textiles, Bulfinch Press/Little, Brown, 1999, Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Needlework. The Reader's Digest Association, Inc., March 1992, External links Kalotaszeg embroidery at MagyarMuseum.org Embroidery stitches Sewing stitches Chinese inventions