stitch
STICH
/stɪtʃ/
A single complete movement of a needle and thread in sewing, knitting, or crocheting.
While 'stitch' literally refers to the physical loop of thread, it is widely used figuratively to represent the smallest possible unit of work, pain, or clothing.
The story behind the word. The word 'stitch' comes from the Old English 'stice', which meant a sharp, pricking pain (a meaning we still preserve when we get a 'stitch in our side' while running). Over time, the physical action of pricking a needle through fabric adopted the name, shifting the word from a sensation of pain to a triumph of craft.
Word relationships
- loop: A loop is a simple curve in a thread, while a stitch is a secured loop made by a needle.
- link: A link is a connection in a chain, whereas a stitch specifically involves textile joining.
Commonly confused with
- seam: A stitch is a single loop of thread, whereas a seam is the continuous line of stitching that joins two pieces of fabric together.
Word family
- stitched (adjective): Joined or decorated with stitches.
- stitching (noun): A row or pattern of stitches.
Collocations
- drop a stitch
- stitch by stitch
- cross stitch
- surgical stitches
Idioms & expressions
- a stitch in time saves nine
- not a stitch of clothing
- in stitches
Example sentences
- "A stitch in time saves nine." A famous English proverb emphasizing early action. (Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia (1732))
Memory hook
Think of a needle 'sticking' through fabric to make a 'stitch'. Stitch: one prick of the needle.
When not to use
Do not use 'stitch' when referring to a large, continuous seam unless you are focusing on the individual loops that compose it.
Fun facts
- The medical use of 'stitches' to close wounds dates back to ancient Egypt, where embalmers and surgeons used flax thread to stitch skin.
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