Take a Stitch Tuesday Week 34
Tuesday, August 21, 2007 at 7:01AMThis week the stitch for the Take a Stitch Tuesday Challenge is Portuguese Stem Stitch which is also known as Portuguese knotted stem stitch.
This linear stitch is a variation of ordinary stem stitch that creates a knotted, rope-like line. This rope like appearance can be accentuated by using a heavy solid twisted thread such as pearl cotton.
The advantage of this stitch is that you can work it on even-weave or plain fabrics and just about anything stem stitch can do Portuguese Stem will do it chunkier! It follows a curve well which makes it ideal for outlining shapes. This stitch is interesting to try out in different threads. I like a thread with a firm twist as I delight in the rope like texture. I have worked it in quite thick thread too such as anchor soft cotton which is as thick as 5 ply wool. It is effective on heavy fabrics such as denim because it is a slightly heavy stitch, which seems to stand clear of the fabric. On the other hand if you work it in fine thread it can take on a delicate organic appearance.
How to work the stitch 
I find this stitch is best worked starting at the bottom and working towards the top.
Various books say to work from left to right but I do not do it that way. Try it the way the books say but if you find you are working in an uneven manner turn the work.
Bring the thread through from the back of the fabric and make a small stitch picking up a small piece of material as you would if you were working a stem stitch.
Bring the thread out to left. The first stitch should look like this.
Take the needle and thread it under the first stitch. Make sure do not pick up any fabric.
You are actually whipping this stitch. It should look like this.
Whip the stitch a second time. These two whipping stitches form the knot like appearance.
Move along the line and make a small stitch picking up a small piece of material as you would if you were working a stem stitch.
Once again bring your thread out as illustrated.
Take the needle and thread it under the first stitch. Once again you are whipping the stich so make sure do not pick up any fabric.
Whip the second time and continue the row.
I hope you enjoy this stitch as I do! Well that’s it for this week remember to swing by and leave a comment here so that people can follow the link and see what you have done and there is a Take a stitch Tuesday flickr group which you can browse
Reader Comments (13)
Hi Sharon
I'm early this week and I've posted my Portuguese Stem stitch sample on my blog.
I rather like this stitch it has great texture.
Doreen
http://doreeng.blogspot.com/
A very nice and easy stitch to do and will be added to my 'often used' selection.
http://crazyqstitcher.wordpress.com/
http://flickr.com/groups/56846286@N00/
http://flickr.com/photos/helenad/1238088253/
I really like this stitch to do and the lovely worked effect you get. I tried experimenting with the stich but it did not seem to lend itself to much structural alteration without turning into knitting!
On anotther matter good luck with the new blog arrangements. As has been said earlier readers will find you and you must make a structure or frame work for your sharing work which suits you best.
One thing that is better is that having clicked on to another link while writting this comment I am delighted to find my text still here in progress so to speak .....
Hi,
After a long hiatus, I'm back to taking part in tast. Dump as I am I posted to the old blog first. So here is my feeble attempt at portugese stem stitch again.
http://tenar72.wordpress.com/2007/08/26/tast-34-portugese-stem-stitch/
Tenar
I like these stitches with the raised texture. My focus is on art quilts and I will be incorporating some of the stitches.
I am up to date!
http://vivian-institches.blogspot.com/
hi ya'll
uploaded a compendium of belated stitches at my blog http://amovablefeast.blogspot.com
also updated my blogroll with your new address.
Like Vivian above i'm up to date!
cheers
neki desu
Hi Sharon, I've completed my sample and it's blogged here - Blogged here - http://sharonb.wordpress.com/take-a-stitch-tuesday-challenge/ What a great stitch this one is.
Oh darn it, I've put your link instead of mine - sorry, try again! Blogged here - http://randomapplique.blogspot.com/2007/08/take-stitch-tuesday-portuguese-knotted.html
Hi, as always I have the TAST stitch on my blog. Thank you Sharon for the effort you make every Tuesday to give us all a new stitch to try :)
2 samples on one post today - at this rate I might even catch up!http://faffingabout.blogspot.com/2007/09/tast-scroll-stitch-and-portuguese-stem.html
I finally gave up on getting a good photo of my Portuguese Stem Stitch and posted what I had on http://blog.orangerugyarn.com///index.php/musings/2007/09/18/portuguese_stem_stitch_tast_week_34" rel="nofollow">my blog.
Juli http://blog.orangerugyarn.com" rel="nofollow">Orange Rug Yarn Musings
Sharron please image stem 6 and 7 no look...helps
Sharron please image stem 6 and 7 no look...helps