Ari embroidery, or ari work, is a style of chain stitch embroidery generally associated with India. It is worked with a long fine shaft ending in a fine hook (ari hook). The hook is normally fitted to a wooden handle. The word ari (also written aari) derives from a Hindi word meaning ‘hook’. Where exactly this type of embroidery originated is unknown, and apart from India it is also sometimes associated with China.