Turkey Rug Knot is a great stitch for adding dimension to surface embroidery.
Between each stitch, you create a loop in the thread, which can then be trimmed. This stitch is great for hair or fur. In a spiral it looks like a chrysanthemum. This is a fun stitch with a lot of potential.
Steps to Create a Turkey Rug Knot
Step 1: Preparation
Cut a length of thread, approximately 12 to18 inches long, to ensure it is manageable and doesn't tangle easily. We don't need to knot the end of the thread before starting this stitch.
If you are using our stitch guide, mark your fabric. For practice stitching, pencil works well. I have used a 2B pencil here, which is soft enough to make clear marks.
Step 2: Starting the Stitch
Insert the needle into the fabric from the front at the point where you want to start your stitch.
Step 3: Making the Stitches
Push the needle through the fabric, leaving a short tail on the fabric surface.
Bring the needle back to the front of the fabric, just next to your thread tail.
Pull the thread through, maintaining the tail at the front.
Take the needle back through the fabric, moving across the tail, to form an anchor stitch.
Don't pull this stitch tight just yet.
Bring the needle back up to the front of the fabric, between the tail and the last part of the anchor stitch.
Gently pull the thread until the anchor stitch lies flat against the surface of the fabric.
This is one stitch.
Both the beginning and the end of the stitch are on the front of the fabric.
Step 4: Continuing the Pattern
Create the next Turkey rug knot, starting with taking the needle to the back of the fabric again. This time, the tail forms a loop between the two stitches. Continue the Turkey rug knot by repeating the process. The evenness of the loops between stitches will contribute to the overall appearance of your stitching.
Step 5: Finishing the Stitch
When you reach the end of your line of stitching, leave the thread at the front of the fabric, and trim, leaving a tail.
Variations on Straight Stitch
You can vary Turkey rug knot by trimming the loops between stitches. This can create a hair or fur-look.
Applications of Turkey Rug Knot
Turkey rug knot is very decorative. It has been used to create a piled finish for chairs and cushions and is sometimes referred to as Turkey work.
In this piece, the ears are given extra definition.
Turkey rug knot makes a lovely anemone in this rock pool slow stitch sample.
Our sample flower with the centre stitched in Turkey rug knot.
