This type of knot is particular to the rich Chinese silk embroidery, where patterns were filled with rows of such fine knots. The name ‘Forbidden Stitch’ took shape probably because of the knots’ association with China’s Forbidden City, the home to the Emperor. This stitch was used to decorate royal wear, so it was pretty much forbidden to be used outside the city. It could also be that to prevent ordinary people from using it, a ‘belief’ was floated that it could cause blindness, which is why it is also called the Blind Knot.

This stitch can be done in two variations. The first is where the knot is left loose to look like a ring. These were used in close succession to fill motifs. The second variation is where a tight knot is made. It looks like the French knot but is flatter since we wrap the thread around the needle only once instead of twice, as in the French knot. There is a slight difference in the way the knot is made, too, which will be shown in the tutorial below. These knots are also used to fill in motifs and can be pretty tasking to the eyes. But the effect it leaves, especially when shadings occur, is splendid.