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Twisted chain stitch is a variation of the basic Chain Stitch. While both are comprised of connected loops that form a chain-like line, twisted chain differs in that the loop is twisted in the middle. This is one of those simple and useful stitches that you will find yourself returning to again and again.

Twisted Chain Stitch Step-By-Step

Twisted chain stitch is worked from right to left or bottom to top. For this example, I am stitching a straight line from bottom to top. Start by bringing the needle to the front at the beginning of your line (Point A). Pull it all the way through and then re-insert just to the left of the line (Point B). Bring the needle back out on the line one stitch length away (Point C). Don’t pull the thread all the way through yet.

Next, wrap the working thread around the needle in a clockwise direction.

Pull the needle all the way through. You now have your first twisted chain.

Form the second loop in the chain by inserting the needle to the left of the previous loop (point D) and then bringing it back out on the line one stitch length away (point E).

Once again, loop the thread around the needle and pull it all the way through. Now your chain has two twisted loops.

Continue stitching in this fashion until you reach the desired length. To end the stitch, simply insert the needle at the top of the last loop to anchor it in place.

Twisted Chain is a great stitch for straight borders, wavy lines or shape outlines.

More Embroidery Tutorials from the Chain Stitch Family:

Chain Stitch
Heavy Chain Stitch
Lazy Daisy Stitch

Twisted Chain in Embroidery Patterns

Primarily used as a outline or border stitch, here are few embroidery patterns where you can find twisted chain stitch.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park Pattern

Peony Wreath Pattern

Happy Stitching!

The Peking Knot is a traditional Chinese embroidery stitch not often used in modern embroidery. This simple stitch creates a loop secured by a knot. The loops are commonly stitched close together and used to fill in spaces.

The Peking Knot (also called the Chinese Knot, Forbidden Stitch & Blind Knot) can also be stitched as a tight knot that resembles a French Knot. The instructions for both variations can be found below.

Peking Knot – Loop Variation

Make the first Peking Knot by bringing the needle and thread the front of the fabric. Keep the needle to the right while you twist the thread into a loop. Following the arrows below and keep the working thread underneath the loop.

Next, take the needle and insert it inside the loop right next to spot where you first brought the thread up and through the fabric.

Adjust the loop to the desired size by pulling the loose end of the thread and then push the needle all the way through creating a small knot to anchor the loop. You may find it useful to place a finger on the loop while securing the knot.

Most people find stitching a single Peking Knot easy. However, most people also find stitching a whole bunch of them in a tight pattern while keeping the loops the same size a bit more difficult. Here are a few tips for using the Peking Knot as a filler without going crazy:

• Place the loops closer together than you think you need to. When using the Peking Knot as a filler, it will always look better if the loops are placed close together than it will if they are spaced too far apart.
• Try to keep the loops roughly the same size.
• When you move from one loop to the next, avoid pulling too hard on the thread so your loop doesn’t accidentally turn into a knot.
• Practice, practice, practice.
• Give yourself permission to be imperfect. Every loop does not need to be exactly the same size.

Peking Knot – Knot Variation

The knot variation follows the first three steps as the loop. Come up through the fabric, create a loop with the thread, and insert the needle in the center.

Now, pull the loop until it is tight around the needle.

Then, pull the needle all the way through to create a small knot. I find it helpful to place a thumb or finger on top of the working thread while pulling the needle through.

You will notice that this version of the Peking knot looks a lot like a French Knot. It’s only when examining the knots up close that you will notice that the thread is wrapped in different directions. In most cases, the two stitches can be used interchangeably.

Free Practice Pattern

Want to practice stitching Peking Knots? This FREE pattern featuring a trio of spring flowers, uses a grouping of cute little knotted circles to stitch a hyacinth flower. You can download the PDF pattern HERE, or visit the Free Spring Flowers Post for complete stitching instructions.

Whether you call it Palestrina, double knot, English knot, tied coral, or twilling stitch, there is no doubt that this is one fabulous embroidery stitch!

Commonly used for outlines and borders, Palestrina stitch creates a row of bumpy raised knots. It’s fairly easy to learn and once you get the hang of it, this just might become one of your favorite stitches!

Palestrina Stitch Step-by-Step Instructions

You can use any type of embroidery thread for Palestrina stitch, but I find that a thicker thread such as a Pearle cotton or all 6 strands of a multi-strand floss is best for creating the thick bumpy textured knots. The below example uses 6 strands of DMC #977.

This stitch can be worked on a straight or curved line and from left to right or top to bottom. For ease of learning, let’s start by drawing a single straight line to use as a guide and work from top to bottom. Make a small straight stitch from top (point A) to bottom (point B). Pull the thread all the way through and then come up again just to the right of the line at the bottom of the stitch (point C).

Next, slide your needle under the first stitch from left to right without going through the fabric.

Pull the thread all the way through to create single twist.

Complete the knot by again sliding the needle under the first stitch from left to right. This time, place the needle below the first twist and angle it down to the left.

Pull the thread all the way through and congratulate yourself for creating a lovely little bumpy knot.

The second stitch is done exactly the same as the first. Make a small straight stitch starting at the bottom of the knot and then come back up a little to the right of the line. The key to success with this stitch is to place your knots fairly close together and keep them evenly spaced. This may take some practice as you figure out how much space each knot needs and how far apart they need to be placed. The length of the straight stitch will determine how far or close the knots lie on the line.

Create the second knot by following the same steps as above. First, slide the needle under and up the right, then pull through. Next, slide the needle under and down to the right, then pull through.

Continue stitching until you reach the desired length. End the stitch by bringing the needle and thread down at the bottom of the last knot.

Happy Stitching!

Coral stitch is one of the most versatile and widely used members of the knot family of embroidery stitches. Also known as German Knot or Snail Trail, coral stitch resembles a series of small knots connected by a continuous thread.

It is commonly used as an outline stitch and is particualry useful for stitching flower stems and leaves.

Coral Stitch Step-By-Step

Coral stitch is best worked from right to left or top to bottom. Start by drawing a straight or curved line. Bring the needle and thread up at the start of the line (point A). Move the needle over to the left side of the line and insert it next to the line (point B). The amount of space between A and B will be the length between each knot. It’s up to you how far apart you want to space the knots, but around a 1/4-inch is a good place to start.

Without pulling the thread all the way through, bring the needle back out on the opposite side of the line (point C).

Next, take the working thread and wrap it around the end of the needle in a counter clockwise direction.

Pull the needle all the way through and you will have made the first small knot.

Continue stitching in this fashion, doing your best to keep the space between knots as even as possible. Remember, hand embroidery doesn’t need to be perfect. If the spacing varies a bit between knots, it will still look nice! When you reach the end of your desired stitch length, finish it off by bringing the needle down directly below the last knot.

Coral Stitch Variations

The most common coral stitch variation is to shorten the length between knots. The result is a compact line of knots that resembles a string of pearls. I love this look for stitching thin leaves or flower stems.

Coral vs Scroll Stitch

These two stitches are sometimes confused or incorrectly labeled as the same stitch. While they are both knot stitches worked on a line, the needle is wrapped differently, resulting in very different finished stitches. The key difference is that scroll stitch creates a curvy line reminiscent of waves, while coral stitch creates a straight line filled with knots. Want to learn scroll stitch? I have a tutorial for that!

Free Practice Pattern

Want to practice your coral stitch? This FREE pattern featuring a trio of spring flowers uses coral stitch to make a dainty, textured stem for the hyacinth flower. You can download the PDF pattern HERE, or visit the Free Spring Flowers Post for complete stitching instructions.

Happy Stitching!