Palestrina Stitch Embroidery: The Double Knot Line for Raised Outlines

Palestrina stitch, also called double knot stitch, is a line of round, raised knots, each formed by wrapping the thread twice around a small slanted stitch. The knots sit close together like a string of beads and give outlines a rich, sculptural edge. It is a traditional Italian stitch, and its sister, Sorbello stitch, is a single square knot used for fillings.

How to do Palestrina stitch, in short: working from left to right, make a small slanting stitch across the line and bring the needle up just below it. Slide the needle under the slanting stitch from top to bottom without entering the fabric, then slide it under once more, this time with the thread looped under the needle tip, and pull to form a knot. Make the next slanting stitch a little further along.

Difficulty	Intermediate
Used for	Raised outlines, stems, borders, lettering, frames
Thread	Perle cotton size 5 or 8, or 3–4 strands of stranded cotton
Needle	Embroidery needle size 5–7; a tapestry needle helps for the wraps
Stitch size	Knots every 2–4 mm

What You Need

• A marked line, and for a beginner, dots at each knot position. See our guide to transferring embroidery patterns to fabric.
• Fabric in a hoop.
• A round, twisted thread: perle cotton gives the most beautiful knots.

How to Work Palestrina Stitch

1. Bring the needle up just above the line at the left end (A).
2. Take a small slanting stitch across the line: go down just below the line a little to the right (B), and come up a short way to the left of B, below the line (C).
3. First wrap: slide the needle under the slanting stitch from top to bottom, without catching the fabric. Pull through.
4. Second wrap with a loop: slide the needle under the slanting stitch again, to the right of the first wrap, with the working thread looped under the tip. Pull through gently so a round knot forms.
5. Move along and make the next slanting stitch 2–4 mm further on.

Spacing and Size

• Close knots (2 mm) make a dense, beaded line; wider spacing shows the thread between knots.
• Bigger knots: use a thicker thread rather than a longer slanting stitch.
• Curves: space the knots a little closer on tight curves.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Problem	Why it happens	Fix
Knot looks flat	Second wrap made without the loop	Loop the thread under the needle tip on the second wrap.
Uneven knots	Slanting stitches of different sizes	Keep each slanting stitch the same length and angle.
Fabric caught in wraps	Sharp needle split the fabric	Use a blunt tapestry needle for the wraps.
Gaps in the line	Knots too far apart	Space knots 2–4 mm apart.

Palestrina Stitch vs Coral Stitch vs French Knots

• Palestrina stitch: large, round, raised knots on a continuous line.
• Coral stitch: smaller, flatter knots, quicker to work.
• French knots: separate dots, not joined in a line.

For an overview of all the basic stitches, see our complete guide to hand embroidery stitches.

Patterns to Practise Your Stitches On

Once the stitch feels comfortable, try it on a complete design. These beginner-friendly patterns are a good place to start.

New to Embroidery? Start with a Free Pattern

All of our free embroidery patterns in one place:

Palestrina Stitch FAQ

Is Palestrina stitch the same as double knot stitch?

Yes. Double knot stitch, Smyrna stitch and Old English knot stitch are other names for it.

What is the difference between Palestrina and coral stitch?

Palestrina knots are wrapped twice and stand up more; coral knots are made in one movement and sit flatter.

What thread is best for Palestrina stitch?

Perle cotton size 5 or 8 shows the knots most clearly.

Browse all embroidery stitches →