A comprehensive illustrated glossary of cross stitch, embroidery and needlework. Clear definitions and working diagrams. Includes cross stitch, embroidery, tapestry, blackwork, and goldwork.
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Kelim Stitch | A counted thread stitch Begin at upper right and work rows alternately from right to left and left to right. Each stitch is worked over one horizontal thread and two vertical as shown. |
Kingston | An evenweave linen fabric 220 threads to 10 cms, 55 count |
Kits | Materials to make the finished article, which can be bought prepackaged with everything needed including fabric, threads usually sorted onto cards, needle and instructions. In cross stitch kits there is a chart and in freehand embroidery kits the fabric is stamped with the design. |
Kloster block | Precisely worked Satin stitch blocks characteristic of hardanger. The basic block consists of five stitches worked over four threads. First secure thread end with backstitch and then work block of Satin stitch. |
| See also Hardanger, Satin stitch | |
Knitted stitch | A counted thread stitch which gives the same effect as stocking stitch in knitting. It can be useful in realistic figurative designs. Work from bottom to top and back again, bring needle out and insert four threads up and one to the right and then out again two threads down and one left, ready for next stitch. Continue in this way to end of row and then work downwards bringing needle out two to left and inserting at base of previous stitch. |
| See also Knitting stitch | |
Knitting stitch | A counted thread stitch which looks similar to knitted stocking stitch. This is worked diagonally over two thread intersections as shown in the diagram. Follow the numbering for the first row and the letters for the second row, To achieve a straight edge add shorter stitches as shown. Further texture can be added by working a line of backstitch over two threads along the centre of each pair of rows. |
| See also Backstitch, Knitting stitch | |
Knot stitch | A free embroidery stitch used to edge hemmed fabric. Bring thread through from back of fabric and work a buttonhole stitch loosely pass needle behind loop of stitch and over working thread as shown in diagram. It can be spaced out to make a lacy edging or worked close together. More rows can be made working over loops of previous rows. |
| See also Antwerp edging stitch, Buttonhole stitch | |
Knotted buttonhole stitch | A free embroidery stitch based on buttonhole stitch with a knot at the top of each stitch. Work from left to right. Bring needle out on bottom line at A. Make a loop from right to left over left thumb and slip it on to needle. With loop still on needle insert needle at B and bring out directly underneath at C, holding thread under point of needle. Continue in this way. |
| See also Buttonhole stitch | |
Knotted insertion stitch | A free embroidery stitch used in faggoting or insertion of two pieces of material. Work from left to right. Insert needle from below on bottom edge, then holding thread to the right insert needle into top edge from above. Then take needle behind both threads between edges and up with main thread below needle. Repeat on bottom edge then alternately top and bottom edges. |
| See also Faggoting, Insertion stitches | |
Knotted Pearl stitch | This is a free embroidery stitch consisting of a buttonhole band with a row of raised knots down the middle. Bring the needle out at A, insert at B and bring out again at C where all three points are in a vertical line. Using a blunt (tapestry) needle, slide under the stitch between A and B, holding the thread under the needle as shown and pull flat. Repeat passing the needle under the stitch between A and B, and insert the needle into the fabric at D, coming out again at E. Pass the needle under the new bar twice and continue. At the end of the row at stitch holds the last buttonhole loop. |
| See also Buttonhole stitch | |
Knotted stitch | A counted thread stitch. Working from bottom make long diagonal stitch six threads up and two across, insert needle four threads below and then take left diagonally across two intersections covering long stitch with a small stitch and bring out two stitches to left of starting point for next stitch. |
Kreinick Braid | Metallic threads which come in different thickness and cannot be split. Thicknesses #4, #8,#12,#16 and #32 all come in a large number of shades corresponding to those of blending filament. Since metallic threads are prone to unravel it is best to use a needle threader so that the end of the thread is disturbed less. |
| See also Blending filament | |
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z