4.3. Crow Stitch

This stitch was called "modified Lane-Stitch" and also "Crow Stitch". The latter name is still used today, although the first is more accurate because this stitch was not only used by the Crow. Some other Northern Plains tribes used it as well as many of the Plateau.

Above all it is a mixture of Lane Stitch and Overlay Stitch (using its kind of tacking the beads). A typical lane of the Lane Stitch is about 8 to 9 beads wide, while when you use the Crow Stitch the rows are as long as the area that is to be covered with beads (about 5 to 6 cm for shoulder straps up to 15 cm or more for bags).

First you should draw the design on the buckskin with a pen.
The next step is to bead the outlines of the design. The best herefor is the Overlay Stitch because you have one line one bead wide.

Then you fill out the remaining areas with the needed color. Pick up the beads needed for the entire length and insert the needle like described for the Lane Stitch. Then cover the area with as many rows needed.

At this point you will notice that those extreme long rows are going to hang down when you hold it upright. That's why you need another thread, also called tacking thread. The technique to tack down the rows is the same as for the overlay stitch. But you work at an right angle to the bead rows and the thread is lead inside the leather.

It is adviseable to fasten the tacking thread 5 to 6 beads from the edge row and use this distance throughout the entire work.

This will result in a very smooth surface for the whole work. It is also noticeable, that the designs like diamonds are more pronounced than using the Lane Stitch because you can start with the lines on the outside and the fill the color inside.