How to Stitch a Palestrina Stitch

The Palestrina stitch is also known as the double-knot stitch, tied coral stitch, Smyrna stitch and twilling stitch. It can be used to create an outline or as textured filler. Follow the steps below to replicate this Italian original.

Instructions

1. Sketch a vertical line lightly on the fabric to be used as a guideline. This ensures that the stitches are done straight.

2. Bring the thread through the fabric from back to front at the top of the line. Push the thread back through on the line, creating a very small stitch. It should be a 1/4-inch stitch.

3. Come out of the fabric to the front again just to the left of the bottom penetration point. Pull the thread through all the way.

4. Push the needle from right to left under the first stitch. Do not pierce the fabric at all. Pull the thread until a loop is formed with the thread fitting snuggly against the straight stitch.

5. Push the needle again from right to left under the straight stitch, and also under the looped knot. Do this from right to left, and at a diagonal from top to bottom. Again, do not pierce the fabric. This creates a finished knot.

6. Pull the thread tight until a knot is formed. Move onto the next stitch by pushing the needle through the fabric directly below the knot on the sketched line.