Basque Knot

Also known as: Basque Loop Stitch, Knotted Loop Stitch, Knotted Pearl Stitch

This stitch is worked from right to left and has a wider base with the knot falling on the stitch line. It looks like a barbed knotted stitch. Traditionally basque loop is used with the Basque stitch (of chain stitch family).

This stitch follows a close technical similarity to the reversed Palestrina stitch. And therefore, this stitch is also often confused as being another name for the reversed Palestrina stitch. But, my research led me to a different conclusion. Though there are technical similarities in the way the knot is tied, the way they begin makes a difference between both. As a result, in reversed Palestrina stitch, it is not possible for the vertical ‘legs’ to extend on either side of the knot, as it is possible in this stitch (see fig.6). This is the main visual difference.

I will be working between two stitch lines to demonstrate this stitch. This stitch is worked from right to left.

Fig 1: Bring the needle out through A, a point that lies between the two stitch lines. Then, take the needle in through B and bring out through C, as shown. Both these points lie right above and below A, and on the stitch lines.	Fig 2: Now, take the needle under the stitch A-B, without plucking the fabric underneath.
Fig 3: Then, take the needle under the stitch A-B again, as shown. This finishes the knot.	Fig 4: Continue this process by taking the needle in through D and bringing out through E, on both stitch lines.
Fig 5: Do the knotting process and keep with the procedure for the entire row.