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Chinese knot icon
Chinese knot

  • Peking knot
  • Forbidden stitch
  • Blind knot
  • Peking stitch
Chinese knot main image

A raised knot traditionally used in Chinese embroidery with silk thread on silk fabric. The knot can be pulled tight into a small ball, or left with a small loop.

The earliest evidence of Chinese knots has been found on Chinese grave artefacts from approximately the 1st century AD.  They continued to be used, albeit sparingly, during the Ming and Chi’en-lung periods to emphasise details and create texture on ‘festival squares’ which adorned ceremonial garments.  Their use increased during the 19th century when they started to be used to cover large areas, using variation in tone and colour to render the design.

The various names the knot is known by have no proven origin: ‘Peking’ knot is believed to have no geographical significance; ‘Forbidden stitch’ (and presumably ‘Blind knot’) were reputed to have arisen as the knots were so tiny they were officially outlawed in case they strained the embroiderer’s eyes, but there is no evidence for this.

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Knotted Filling Leaves Shading Silk shading Surface

Chinese knot is generously sponsored by Rhylva Holder

Method

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Chinese knot method stage 1 illustration
Chinese knot method stage 1 photograph
1

Bring the needle up and twist the thread to make a loop. Use your thumb and index finger to keep the loop open.  Make sure that the working thread is behind the emerging thread.

Chinese knot method stage 2 illustration
Chinese knot method stage 2 photograph
2

Plunge the needle inside the loop close to where you emerged. Do not take the needle down all the way through.

If you want to have a leg with a knot (similar to a Pistil stitch), you can take the needle down a bit further away.

Chinese knot method stage 3 illustration
Chinese knot method stage 3 photograph
3

Keep holding the needle and pull the working thread so that the loop gets tighter around the needle.

Chinese knot method stage 4 illustration
Chinese knot method stage 4 photograph
4

Now you can take the needle down.

Chinese knot method stage 5 illustration
Chinese knot method stage 5 photograph
5

Pull the working thread slowly. Use a mellor/laying tool to keep the loop flat.

Chinese knot method stage 6 illustration
Chinese knot method stage 6 photograph
6

Gently pull the working thread to make a knot. If you want a knot with a small loop, hold the loop with a mellor/laying tool and don’t pull all of the thread through.

Chinese knot method stage 7 illustration
Chinese knot method stage 7 photograph
7

Keep pulling the working thread slowly.

Chinese knot method stage 8 illustration
Chinese knot method stage 8 photograph
8

Completed Chinese knot.

Chinese knot

Structure of stitch

Knotted

Common uses

Filling Leaves Shading

Embroidery Techniques

Silk shading Surface

Related Stitches

French knot Colonial knot

References

  • Jennifer Campbell, Ann-Marie Bakewell, Guide to Embroidery Stitches (2004) , p.99
  • Schuyler Cammann. (1962) 'Embroidery Techniques in Old China', Archives of the Chinese Art Society of America pp.16-40. Available at: https://www.jstor.org/stable/20067040