The second of the basic smocking stitches is the Wave Stitch.
In smocking, the Wave Stitch is a stitch that travels directly between two or more levels to form a zigzag line. It consists of a top and bottom closure stitch with a traveling stitch in between.
Stitching the Wave Stitch is as easy as stitching the cable. Begin by prepping your floss and getting your needle into position. (You can read how to do that as well as how to form the cable stitch here). See all of our smocking stitch tutorials in our Smocking Stitches Guide. The wave stitch is usually stitched with 3 strands of floss and is stitched from left to right if you are right-handed and from right to left if you are left-handed.
Stitching the Wave Stitch
Start by stitching an up cable (the first closure stitch).