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.