Mary Corbet's guide to 12 knot stitches

The following excellent article is from Mary Corbet's Needle 'n Thread site.  It is a  jewel of a reference for the knots we use in needlework.  She has links to tutorials for each knot.  Here is the link to her article: https://www.needlenthread.com/2018/04/12-knot-stitches-for-embroidery.html

April 30, 2018

Oh, those Knotty Stitches! 12 Knot Stitches, Terrific for Texture

When you think “knots” in embroidery, does your mind automatically fly to the French knot? Or perhaps the colonial knot is more Your Knot Thing?

It seems that, when it comes to knots, French knot is the best known knot stitch, followed by colonial knot, which some stitchers prefer to the French knot.

But there are other knot stitches and knot-like stitches out there, and if you’re keen to add a lot of texture to your embroidery, you might try a few of them. They’re all super fun, and, with the linked tutorials, you’ll find it easy to add them to your stitching projects!

So, here they are – twelve knot stitches to add to your embroidery repertoire! Try them!

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For the sake of clarity, I’m dividing these knot stitches into two categories: isolated knot stitch and knotted line or band stitches.

Isolated Knot Stitches

Isolated knot stitches are stitches that create knots (of a sort) that can stand on their own as an isolated stitch.

But they can also be worked in bunches and clusters for areas of texture, most of them can be used as highly textured filling, or they can be strung out in lines to create highly textured, knotty lines.

The French Knot

Well, it’s no surprise to find the French knot on the list!

French knots are generally smaller knots, though you can vary the weight of them by using heavier thread or by adding more wraps on the needle. Normally, more than three wraps can become unwieldy, though, and knots made with more than three wraps can be displaced and loosened over time by laundering and use.

Here’s a list of tutorials and stitching ideas relating to the French Knot:

French Knot How-To Video tutorial

Working isolated French knots in two ways:
Isolated French knots – first method
Isolated French knots – second method

French knots as a line stitch – using French knots for lettering

Changing the size of French knots

French knots as filling on a monogram, worked on printed fabric.

The Colonial Knot

Pretty much anything you do with a French knot, you can do with a colonial. Some stitchers find the colonial knot easier to work than the French knot.

Here’s a video tutorial for the colonial knot, if you’d like to give it a try!

And here’s an article on the French knot vs. the colonial knot.

The Chinese Knot

The Chinese knot can be worked isolated or in lines, or in lines to fill an area. You can vary the length of the little “tail” on the knot, to create a perfectly round knot. You can also work the knot loosely, to increase the textural and visual aspect of it.

Here’s a video tutorial for the Chinese knot.

The Bullion Knot

The bullion knot creates more of a little “worm” or “slug” on your fabric, depending on how long you make it. Bullion knots can be used to create all kinds of textural and floral elements.

Beginning stitchers might be a little intimidated at first by the bullion knot, but once you get it, you’ll have it forever! It’s like riding a bike! With a little bit of practice, it’s worth conquering.

Here are some tutorials, tips, and ideas for bullion knots:

Bullion knot video tutorial
Needles: How to Choose Them & Use Them (with information on the milliner needle, best choice for bullions)
Bullion Stem Stitch Line
Buttonholed Bullion Buttonhole Wheels
Bullion knot flower petal
Bullion knot rose bud

Oyster Stitch

Technically, I don’t think oyster stitch falls in the “knot stitch” category, but, as isolated stitch that involves kind of pretzeling itself up, it tends to look like a nice, fat, flattish knot stitch. So I’m including it!

Here’s a video tutorial for oyster stitch.

And here’s a tutorial for oyster stitch on a line, worked as small flower buds.

Turk’s Head Knot

The Turk’s head knot stitch is a whopper of an isolated knot stitch! It’s the largest, roundest isolated knot stitch you could probably dream of working, and it is a little complex, but the results, if you’re trying to create a round, secure, interwoven isolated knot on your embroidery, are fantastic.

Here’s a step by step tutorial for the Turk’s head knot stitch.

Knotted Line & Band Stitches

There are many knotted line stitches and knotted band stitches (and knotted variations on other stitches) that work great for adding texture and interest to embroidery.

This is a list of my favorite knotted stitches that are worked on a line or in a band.

Palestrina Stitch

Palestrina stitch is my favorite all-around knotted line stitch. It’s easy and fun to work, and it works up quickly once you get into the rhythm of the stitch!

Here’s a video tutorial for Palestrina stitch.

This tutorial will show you how to work Palestrina stitch on the edge of anything, to create a decorative, knotted edge.

And of course, you can bead a Palestrina stitch line, for some extra sparkle.

Coral Stitch

Coral stitch is a line stitch (it can also be used as a filling) that involves tiny little knots along the line. It’s used a lot in Schwalm whitework. Sometimes, it might take a little practice to get the spacing right, but it’s an easy stitch!

Here’s a video tutorial for coral stitch, and that article will also show you different ways you can use coral stitch.

Scroll Stitch

Scroll stitch is similar to coral stitch, but the line produced is almost scalloped or wavy, depending on which way you work it. It’s a fun stitch for decorative frames around other needlework – and it works great, too, for textured, stylized waves (think: ocean).

Here’s a video tutorial for scroll stitch.

Knotted Pearl Stitch

Knotted pearl stitch is similar to Palestrina stitch, but reversed. It often involves arms, which you can work long or short, depending on the look you want. You can further embellish the arms, too, or use them as the foundation for other composite stitches.

Here’s a video tutorial for knotted pearl stitch.

Portuguese Knotted Stem Stitch

An easy textured line stitch! The stitch isn’t so much “knotted” as it is wrapped, but it produces a line that is a bit bumpy, like a knotted stitch.

Here’s a video tutorial for Portuguese knotted stem stitch.

Knotted Diamond Stitch

Knotted diamond stitch is a decorative band stitch. It works great for borders, stitch sampler lines, and crazy quilt seam embellishments. It just begs for further embellishment, too, so it’s a fun stitch to play with!

You can find a video tutorial for knotted diamond stitch here.

Knotted Chain Stitch

This is just a variation of chain stitch, but it’s nice! Fun, easy to work, and plenty of room for further embellishment!

You’ll find a step-by-step photo tutorial for knotted chain stitch here, with ideas on how to embellish it.

Looking for More?

You can find heaps of stitch tutorials here on Needle ‘n Thread! You’ll find over 75 stitch videos here, and, under the Stitch Fun! index, you’ll find step-by-step photo tutorials for exciting variations, more obscure stitches, and just some fun fiddling with needle and thread.

Hope you enjoy them all!

Previous 2018 finishes

Good morning stitching lovelies!  I thought I would share a couple of stitching finishes from earlier in the year.

This is the Little House Needlework's monthly series.  I had intentions of stitching one a month but then a job happened.  I intend on finishing this to sit within the tablescape on my dining room table.  You might be surprised how such a small, simple looking design can be so complicated.  I thought that I was good at counting but was humbled time and again by the counting, especially on the snowflake in the upper right. But I adore the cardinals.



Pray More is a free design that was offered by Lizzie Kate.  I used the Olde Willow Threads which are no longer available.  I have a drawer full of them and I love the vintage or primitive shading of them.  I have stitched this to go into an adorable tray which will be further cute-ified with some vintage print fabric for a backing and bow and a spray of sweet artificial spring flowers.  It is a labor of love for my best friend Leslie.  The best thing about the design is it would look lovely in any choice of colors.


So that is it for now.  This weekend is forecast to be splendid and my tentative plans are to spend the entire weekend in the sun room stitching up a storm.  Leslie may join me via Skpe (she lives in Scotland). Until next time, may God keep you safe, filled with peace and stitching with joy!  Sandi Jo

No More You Tube

Dear and gentle stitchers, it would appear that my cross stitch videos on You Tube were far too coarse and vulgar as I have had my account closed and videos deleted due to violations of the community rules.  I shake my head and just wonder what in the hell is going on over there.

Do not mourn, weep or panic my gentle friends.  I plan on making my stitching videos and posting them here, on my blog.  I am finding that this world is going plum crazy and I need to rein in my time on the internet.  It steals a lot of time when I could be doing something wild and crazy like reading, baking, stitching or just plain day dreaming.

You can subscribe to get updates on my blog entries so you will never miss an opportunity to see my fat face in the privacy of your own homes.

I will continue to update freebie sites I find, as well as sites stitchers may find interesting and inspiring.  I want to have give aways and hope to post photos of yours and mine on my freebie design page on this blog.  Everything is a work in progress on this new Sunroom Stitching adventure.

I promise to be silly and share my life, my stitching and my love of God with all you wonderful people.  We will see you very soon.  Sandi Jo

Re-homing found needlework

I wanted to share a couple of rescued cross stitch pieces that I found at my favorite thrift shop.  The stitching is perfect and I know they were stitched and given with love.  I believe both were stitched by Tracy who wrote a message on the back of one of them.

Kiss the Cook is very sweet and looks perfect in my kitchen.  I paid $1.00 for it.


I love the frame as well as the design.  It is well stitched and have an idea it may have been a kit as the frame is perfect for the shape of the design.  There are a few little nicks in the frame but I think it gives it more character.  I paid $2.00 for this piece.


Here is a close up of the stitching.  It is well stitched.


Here is the sweet loving message from the stitcher Tracy, to her mother.

I am thrilled to have found these sweet pieces and I am proud to have them displayed in my home.  No one appreciates stitching more then stitchers.

The more the merrier!

My stitching time has been drastically cut by the advent of my new job, which I love by the way.  It has been quite a while since I shared what I have finished, started or just plain forgotten about.

Life has been wonderful here in the gentle folds of our beautiful Lilac Thicket.  All are healthy and happy and forever blessed by our Heavenly Father.


This is my latest start and it will be gorgeous when it is complete.  It is a free design by Ann Logan at https://www.cross-stitch-pattern.net/ .  She has hundreds and hundreds of wonderful designs.  This one is called "Pink".  Here is what the design looks like: 
Isn't it lovely?  I am stitching it on a light pink lugana 28 count, which I had in my fabric hoard.  Ann also has a free design called "Blue Garden" that I would like to stitch in the future.


This project which is almost done and I got bored with it, is called "Stirring up a sweet Christmas".  It is an old design ©1998 by Waxing Moon Designs.  This Santa is stirring up sweet treats for Christmas on 32 count Opalescent Belfast linen.  I have used a combination of the called for floss colors and DMC substitutions.  I have collected several buttons to replace those called for.  Instead of stitching the wooden spoon, I have fashioned a wooden spoon from Sculpey clay which will be attached.  He is very cute and definitely a new look for Santa.  The design size is 61 by 92 stitches.


This piece has not been worked on in a while.  It is a JanLyn cross stitch kit called "Buck's County Farm Stand".  It will look like this when finished: 
The finished size is 16"x12".  It really speaks to my Prepsteading heart.  If you don't know what "Prepsteading" is it is a combination of prepping and homesteading.  If I was 41 years younger I would be buying a piece of land in the Missouri Ozarks and building my own cabin and growing my own food.


These little sweeties are from Brooke's Books Publishing and they are free designs in her Advent Animals series.  I am stitching them on Reflections by Silkweaver 28 count lugana in the color "Beach".  The green and red fabrics are the fabrics which will back the individual pillows which will hang from the dining room entrance way.  They are just the most fun to stitch.


This is a finish from earlier this year.  It is from Snowflower Diaries series "Joyful World".  The fabric is actually a green hand dyed lugana which was in my fabric hoard.  It was fun to stitch and one day maybe finished to occupy a dining room tablescape.  I forgot to mention, this is a free design offer.

So for now I will sign off and will add more works in progress or finishes as I find them.  They tend to hide all over my happy room.  May this beautiful spring time bring you renewal to your stitching soul.