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.
See our video tutorial on Turkey Rug Knot here.
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.
Related Projects
Turkey Rug Knot t-shirt - Lance - Up Up and Away
This simple stick figure shows just how much potential our stitching can have.A fun project for a young person, or someone young at heart.
Who doesn't like balloons? This project also uses some other stitches that we've already covered in our Stitch Library.
See more details for Lance in our Projects space.
Turkey Rug Knot project - Ashley - Removable Santa Patch
One of the biggest blocks to decorating clothes for kids? That they wear them for such a short time. And themed clothes may only get one outing.
Solution - a removable patch that can go on next year's clothes as well.
See video of Ashley being created on YouTube.
Click here to look at more notes on the project Ashley.
Turkey Rug Knot project - Spike - 3D soft sculpture
A little bit of whimsy, this project shows just how much fun Turkey Rug Knot can be.
And even better, it's not just a dust catcher. Spike is a pincushion as well.
See video of Spike being made on YouTube.
Click here to look at more notes on the project Ashley.
Once you have finished your scroll stitch sample, stick it to the Stitch Guide with glue or double-sided tape, and you will have part of your very own stitch library.
This is a resource that you can come back to for inspiration, or a reminder of how to complete a stitch that you haven't used for a while.
Find all our Stitch Library Stitch Guides here.
Also known as single satin stitch, straight stitch is a valuable stitch to add to your library. Deceptively simple, it can produce outstanding and effective results when a little imagination is applied to how it is used.
- go a little loopy for stitching
See our Video tutorial on Turkey Rug Knot here.
See details for the Turkey Rug Knot Project - Lance here.
See details for the Turkey Rug Knot Project - Ashley here.
See details for the Turkey Rug Knot Project - Spike here.
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