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Portuguese knotted stem stitch icon
Portuguese knotted stem stitch

Portuguese knotted stem stitch main image

This stitch is not actually a knotted stitch. However it visually gives the impression of a knotted version of stem stitch and it creates a textured, rope-like line when stitched with a thick twisted thread.

add_circleMy Stitches
Looped Whipped Outline Border Crewelwork Surface Mountmellick

Portuguese knotted stem stitch is generously sponsored by Rita Gallinari

Method

Work this stitch from bottom to top. Work the two wraps with whipping motion over stem stitches.

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Portuguese knotted stem stitch method stage 1 illustration
Portuguese knotted stem stitch method stage 1 photograph
1

Start by working a stem stitch. After bringing up a needle halfway, slide the needle under the first stitch. Do not go through the fabric.

Stem stitch
Portuguese knotted stem stitch method stage 2 illustration
Portuguese knotted stem stitch method stage 2 photograph
2

Pull the thread tight to wrap the stem stitch, and then slide the needle under the first stitch again. The second wrap sits just below the first wrap.

Portuguese knotted stem stitch method stage 3 illustration
Portuguese knotted stem stitch method stage 3 photograph
3

Pull the thread to tighten the wraps, and then start another stem stitch.

Portuguese knotted stem stitch method stage 4 illustration
Portuguese knotted stem stitch method stage 4 photograph
4

Keep the loop to the right of the needle and come up in the same hole at the end of the first stem stitch.

Portuguese knotted stem stitch method stage 5 illustration
Portuguese knotted stem stitch method stage 5 photograph
5

Slide the needle under both first and second stem stitch.

Portuguese knotted stem stitch method stage 6 illustration
Portuguese knotted stem stitch method stage 6 photograph
6

Work another wrap so that it lies in place below the first wrap. Make sure not to pick up the fabric when whipping.

Portuguese knotted stem stitch method stage 7 illustration
Portuguese knotted stem stitch method stage 7 photograph
7

Repeat the procedures and continue stitching upwards.

Portuguese knotted stem stitch

Structure of stitch

Looped Whipped

Common uses

Outline Border

Embroidery Techniques

Crewelwork Surface Mountmellick

Related Stitches

Stem stitch Coral stitch Knotted pearl stitch

References

  • Mary Thomas, Jan Eaton, Mary Thomas’s Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches (Revised Edition) (1989) , p.15
  • Kate Haxell, The Stitch Bible (2012) , p.102
  • Jennifer Campbell, Ann-Marie Bakewell, Guide to Embroidery Stitches (2004) , p.49
  • Erica Wilson, Erica Wilson’s Embroidery Book (1975) , p.37