Knotted stitch

This article is about knotted embroidery stitches. For other types of knots, see Knot, Macramé

Contemporary design of French knots surrounded by chain stitch from a sampler in the form of a challah cover.

French knot

A knotted stitch is any embroidery technique in which the yarn or thread is knotted around itself. Common knotted stitches include French knots and coral stitch. Knotted stitches can be subdivided into individual or detached knots, continuous knotted stitches, and knotted edgings.

Applications

Individual knots are often found used as detached filling stitches.

Knotted edgings are used as a decorative trims, and can also be used to fill open spaces in cutwork and in needlelace.

Detached knots

Individual knots include:

• French knot
• Bullion knot
• Four-legged knot stitch
• Turk's head knot

Knot gallery

• 
  French knots
• 
  Bullion knot
• 
  Bullion knots
• 
  Four-legged knot stitch
• 
  Turk's head knot

Continuous stitches

Knotted stitches include:

• Ceylon stitch
• Coral stitch or coral knots
• Zig-zag coral stitch
• Double knot stitch
• Knotted cable chain stitch, a knotted variant of cable chain stitch

Stitch gallery

• 
  Ceylon stitch
• 
  Coral stitch
• 
  Zig-zag coral stitch
• 
  Double knot stitch
• 
  Double knot variation
• 
  Knotted cable chain stitch

Knotted edgings

Knotted edgings include:

• Antwerp edging
• Armenian edging
• Hollie stitch

See also

• Cross-stitch
• Embroidery stitch
• Tufting

References

• Caulfield, S.F.A., and B.C. Saward, The Dictionary of Needlework, 1885.
• Christie, Mrs. Archibald (Grace Christie), Embroidery and Tapestry Weaving, London, John Hogg, 1912, online at Project Gutenberg
• Christie, Mrs. Archibald (Grace Christie), Samplers and Stitches, a handbook of the embroiderer's art, London 1920
• Enthoven, Jacqueline: The Creative Stitches of Embroidery, Van Norstrand Rheinhold, 1964, ISBN 0-442-22318-8
• Reader's Digest, Complete Guide to Needlework. The Reader's Digest Association, Inc. (March 1992). ISBN 0-89577-059-8