Tutorial on how to work Knotted Buttonhole stitch

I found  Knotted Buttonhole stitch in Marion Nichols in her book Encyclopedia of Embroidery Stitches. There are a number of different varieties of buttonhole that is knotted, some are knotted on the base line others knotted at the top with a combination of pistil and buttonhole stitch. But that is not what we are looking at this week. This variety is knotted at the base of the buttonhole.

Once you get into a rhythm this stitch is simple and quick to work and produces some great twiggy like stitches that look great as foliage in flower sprays.

Also since this stitch is a member of the buttonhole family you can work it easily on a curve, in a circle or create great variety by changing the upright lengths.

How to work Knotted Buttonhole Stitch

This stitch is worked from left to right over two imaginary lines.

Bring the thread out on the lower line, insert the needle in position in the upper line making a straight downward motion and then loop the thread under the needle point as you would buttonhole stitch.

Pull the needle through the fabric to form a loop and repeat this process. In other words make two buttonhole stitches with the second buttonhole stitch fairly close to the first

Next from the left point the needle right and pass the needle under the stitches you just made, but not through the fabric. Make sure the thread passes under the needle as illustrated.

Pull the needle through to make a loop. Pull until snug but not too tight.

Continue in this manner along the line.

It is an interesting stitch that you can work in a variety of traditional ways or can be layered to create heavy texture.

I hope you enjoy the stitch!

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