Knotted Cretan Stitch
part of the Cretan Stitch Family
Knotted Cretan stitch is a variation of Open Cretan stitch. It looks similar to zigzag coral stitch and Palestrina stitch. The method of working is the same as open Cretan stitch, but a knot is made after each slanting stitch is completed.
When worked on a small scale Knotted Cretan stitch follows gradual curves well. It can also be used as a filling as the zigzag pattern it creates is attractive. It can also be used to couch heavy thread, cord or ribbon to the foundation fabric.
If you want to keep this stitch on a straight seam work along two parallel guide lines marked with a water dissolvable pen.
Bring the needle up through the fabric on the left line, move across towards the centre of the two lines, and make a small stitch and keeping the thread under the needle pull the thread through the fabric.
It is at this point you make the knot. Pass the needle under this small stitch but not through the fabric. Wrap the thread under the needle and pull the thread through. This creates a small knot which should be tightened firmly before proceeding to the next stitch. Move to the right line and repeat the action.
Cretan Stitch Family.
There are many variations to Cretan stitch those listed here are Open Cretan Stitch and Knotted Cretan Stitch.
