How to hand embroider Knotted Loop Stitch

How to hand embroider Knotted Loop Stitch

Hand embroidery stitches / Stitch Dictionary
Knotted loop stitch sample

Knotted loop stitch is  described as being ideal for borders but if you play with the height and spacing of the arms it can be a very interesting stitch to explore. Even though it is is normally worked between to parallel rows it can be stacked or worked free form.

Here Knotted loop stitch use to create abstract floral motifs could be worked easily.

How to stitch Knotted Loop Stitch

Traditionally this stitch is worked from right to left between two parallel lines.

Knotted loop stitch step 1

Bring the needle to the front of the fabric and make a straight stitch upwards , as illustrated.

Knotted loop stitch step 2

Take the thread through the fabric and bring it out slightly to the left on the bottom line as illustrated.

Knotted loop stitch step 3

Slide the needle under the first stitch passing it from right to left. Keep the working thread under the needle.

Knotted loop stitch step 4

Pull the thread through to create the first loop. Take the needle back into the fabric next to where you made the first half of the stitch.

Knotted loop stitch step 5

Take the thread up to the top line making a little diagonal stitch and insert the needle. Bring the needle out on the bottom line a little further on to the left.

Knotted loop stitch step 6

Slide the needle under the diagonal stitch and pull it through to make another loop. Continue along the line in this manner.

This stitch is ideal for borders and decorating crazy quilt seams. The arms can be spaced differently and the arms could be extended or contracted quite easily.

Knotted loop stitch

I hope you enjoy the stitch

Thread Twisties!


Experimenting with different threads can be expensive. You would normally have to buy a whole skein of each type of thread. My thread twisties are a combination of different threads to use in creative hand embroidery. These enable you to try out stitching with something other than stranded cotton. For the price of just a few skeins, you can experiment with a bundle of threads of luscious colours and many different textures.

These are creative embroiders threads. With them, I hope to encourage you to experiment. Each Twistie is a thread bundle containing silk, cotton, rayon and wool. Threads range from extra fine (the same thickness as 1 strand of embroidery floss) to chunky couchable textured yarns. All threads have a soft and manageable drape. Twisting them around a needle makes experimental hand embroidery an interesting journey rather than a battle.  Many are hand dyed by me. All are threads I use. You may find a similar thread twist but no two are identical.

You will find my thread twisties in the Pintangle shop here.

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