Know Your Knots
French Knot. Colonial Knot. Palestrina Knot... where do you begin? Learning embroidery knots doesn't have to be intimidating. By stitching a simple sampler, you'll quickly learn how each knot is formed, how it looks, and where it shines. Before long, you'll have a beautiful reference that's as useful as it is inspiring.
Sue's Creative Stitching Book is an essential guide for every stitcher, featuring 50 detailed stitches and variations to help you master knots and more with confidence.
Some knots have multiple names, but for consistency, we'll use the names found in Creative Stitching.
Standalone Knots
French knot
Page 104
The French Knot is one of the most common knots used in embroidery. It is simple, yet adds fun texture when used in groups.
Colonial Knot
Page 53
The Colonial Knot is similar to the French Knot, but it is larger and higher. Like the French Knot, it also creates stunning filler when they are worked closely together.
Chinese Knot
Page 56
The Chinese Knot is also similar to the French Knot, but the Chinese Knot can be worked in ways to create large loops. Like the French and Colonial Knots, the Chinese Knot makes an excellent filler stitch.
Pistil Stitch
Page 106
The Pistil Stitch is essentially a combination of a Straight Stitch and a French Knot. It creates lovely flower stamens, petals, and can create a dandelion effect.
Bullion Knot
Page 92
The Bullion Knot can take a lot of practice to master, but the beautiful texture they create is well worth it! This wrapped stitch is great for filler, or you can use them in a line for edging stitches. Many Bullion Knots worked together will create dense textural filler. There are many variations of Bullion Knots: Cast-On Bullion Knots (pg. 164), Bullion Loops (pg. 94), Bullion Roses (pg. 110), and more.
Linear Knots
Palestrina Knot
Page 68
The Palestrina Knot can be standalone, but it is more commonly used as a linear stitch. This stitch is great for outlining appliqué shapes and adds beautiful texture.
Pearl Stitch
Page 71
The Pearl Stitch makes a lovely corded edging resembling little beads. Like the Palestrina Knot, this stitch adds nice texture as an outline stitch without taking away from the main piece.
Coral Stitch
Page 42
The Coral Stitch is a popular linear stitch that works well as an outline stitch. Like many other linear knots, the Coral Stitch makes a corded, bead-like edging around appliqué.
This list only scratches the surface when it comes to all the different types of knots involved in embroidery. Grab your copy of Creative Stitching, and try a few out with different types and textures of thread.
