In my never ending quest for the “right” stitch for my current CQ project, I started searching
through my various stitch collection books, quilting magazines, and the huge resource binder I
maintain. After an hour’s browsing, with frequent stops to enjoy the pictures, I came across
Christine Dabb’s illustration for the Knotted Buttonhole Stitch. I always practice a new stitch
before committing it to my work: Here are the photos of the original stitch as worked.
Picture 1 |
Picture 2 |
Picture 3 |
Picture 4 |
As I practiced, I noticed that if I drew the knot to the top of the stitch, a nice loop was
formed. As you work this variation, take a very small stitch at b (photo 5).
Form the knot (photo 6).
Pull the knot snug toward the top of stitch b (photo 7). The finished row of knots and loops (photo 8).
Picture 7 |
Picture 8 |
Now, with beads! String the bead on your thread before you start to form the knot (photo 9).
Photo 9 illustrates the stitch being formed with a bead. Photo 10 shows a
finished row of knots with beads. You may not want to use this variation when
your line of stitching is diagonal—the beads will all slide downward. Ask me how
I know this (photo 10).
Picture 11 |
Photo 11 demonstrates a row of knots with the thread that forms the
loop pulled snugly to hold the bead closer to the fabric. |
This is what finally ended up on my piece: A row of knots and loops, with beads centered in each
loop (photo 12). |
Picture 12 |
A Note About the Author:
Hi, I’m Lynn Schoeffler, and I live in Southern California, struggling madly every day to find
time for CQ. In my enthusiasm to share with and contribute to the online body of CQ knowledge,
I am learning to work a digital camera and more computer programs than I ever wanted to know about.
Though I love every form of needlework, I’m firmly convinced that “computers are very dangerous and
home to pixies and goblins and every manner of unseelie creature…” Charles de Lint 2003.
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