This week I have an easy quick stitch which I hope people will enjoy. Coral stitch is also known as coral knot, German knot stitch, knotted stitch, beaded stitch, and snail trail. It is also incorrectly known as scroll stitch which we looked at in TAST week 63. If you compare the two stitches you will see the needle is wrapped in a different manner producing a different look to the line.
Coral stitch is an old embroidery stitch which creates a line that looks like a row of knots and is used for outlines as it follows a curved detail well.
It is also a very useful stitch for twiggy bits in a floral design. If you work it in a very precise manner with knot spaced at exact intervals coral stitch can also be used to create a knotted filling with the knots forming a secondary pattern across the filling.
How to work Coral Stitch
Coral stitch is worked from right to left. To work bring the thread up from the back of the fabric and hold it loosely on the surface of the fabric with your thumb.
Insert the needle at a slight right angle, above the line to be worked and bring it out just below the line to be worked and under the fabric that is laid flat to the fabric. Wrap the thread under the needle as illustrated.
Pull the needle through the fabric to form a knot.
Continue in this manner along the line.
Coral stitch can be varied by altering the angle of the needle as it passes through the fabric. Some people work this stitch with the needle entering the fabric in a vertical position as it passes through the fabric. This will produce a tighter knot. By altering the spacing of the knots along the row the stitch can appear to be different.
The effect created is also altered by the weight and twist of the thread used. This sample was worked using perle # 5 cotton however experiment with threads as this stitch looks good worked in thicker threads or even a fine ribbon.
How to join in
It is not complicated. All you need to do is stitch a sample of this stitch or ANY of the stitches listed on the TAST FAQ page.
Once you have worked a sample, photograph it and put it online at your blog, flickr etc then swing back to the Last TAST post (you will find it under the category each week) and leave a comment that includes your web address. When you leave a comment include the http:// part of the address as then your address becomes a link and readers will be able easily visit and see your sample. Remember you can leave a comment about any stitch you have worked as long as it is listed on the TAST FAQ page.
Any special rules?
There are no rules but I do have a request, please link back here.
Further information
If you need further information on the challenge a list of stitches covered so far or directions on how to participate please visit the TAST FAQ page.
You can read back through TAST articles by browsing Challenges - Take a Stitch Tuesday category
Other groups and networks
You can also share your explorations with other members on the social network site of your choice. There is a Facebook TAST 2012 page, stitchin fingers group and the flickr TAST site. All these sub groups are set up at request of members
Scanned Images, Engravings and Pictures From Old Books is definitely worth browsing and bookmarking so make a cuppa and take a look there are some real gems to be discovered.
I stitched this sampler late in 2009 it was done in a couple of weeks.
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