How to Make a Bullion Knot
Bullion knots are made by a threading technique that results in a raised, highly decorative embellishment. The knot goes by many names including caterpillar stitch, grub stitch, coil stitch, worm stitch, post stitch, and Puerto Rico rose stitch. It has been used throughout military history for uniforms and weapon embellishment. More recently, bullion knots have enriched craft embroidery. They can be used to form flowers, human or animal ears, vegetables, fruits, plants, and anything else that might need a raised column stitch to produce its form.
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Instructions
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Knot your thread at one end and thread the other end through the eye of your needle. Pull this end of the thread a few inches through the needle so that it remains through the eye while you push it through fabric.
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Begin the stitch by pushing the needle through the underside of the fabric and pulling it up through where you want to begin your stitch. This is point A.
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Determine the length of your stitch. Put the needle back through the topside of the fabric at a point 1/8 inch to 1/2 inch away from point A. This is point B.
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The needle is now on the underside of your fabric. Bring the needle back up through the first hole you made at point A. Make sure not to split the thread that is already in point A's hole. Bring the needle two thirds of the way through the hole at point A. One third of the needle should still be on the underside of the fabric.
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Ready your working thread. There will be a large loop of loose, un-pulled thread that connects point A to point B on the topside of the fabric. This is called your working thread.
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Wind your thread for the bullion knot. Wrap the working thread around the two thirds of the needle sticking out of point A. Wrap the thread in a clockwise motion around the needle with just enough tension so there are no loose wraps. If the wraps are too tight, you won't be able to pull the needle through. Make sure the wraps start at the base of where the needle is coming out of point A to maintain a tight stitch. Start with six wraps and experiment with more for effect once you are comfortable with the technique.
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While holding the wraps in their formation with your thumb and forefinger, pull the needle through with your other hand. Pull the thread straight up to tighten the wraps. Bring the needle back through the topside of the fabric at point B and pull to the underside to anchor the knot.
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Use the now-free needle to smooth down the wraps in the knot for a clean, tight finish.
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Tips & Warnings
For an arched knot, use 15 or more wraps around the needle.
Watch your fingers as the needle comes up from the backside of the fabric.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit spool with thread image by Astroid from Fotolia.com
