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embroidery

Scroll Stitch: How to Work It and Choose Thread

Scroll stitch creates a wavy, knotted embroidery line. Learn the basic method, how direction and tension affect the knots, and which threads give a bolder or flatter result.

By ThatPainter Team 2 min read
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Scroll stitch is a knotted embroidery stitch that makes a wavy, textured line. To work it, follow a marked line, form a loop with the thread, take a small stitch through or beside it, tighten the loop around the needle, and pull through to make a knot. Repeat at even intervals. A firm, round thread such as pearl cotton makes the knots more distinct; stranded floss gives a flatter line.

What scroll stitch looks like and where to use it

Also called the single-knotted-line stitch, scroll stitch creates a sequence of knots joined by a gently curved line. It works along straight or curved outlines, borders, lettering, and botanical motifs. Closely spaced rows can also build a textured filling.

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Its wavy character makes it useful when a plain outline would look too smooth. Mark a guide first if you need the line to follow a precise curve or keep a border consistent.

How to work scroll stitch

  1. Mark a straight or curved guide on the fabric and bring the needle to the front at the beginning of the line.
  2. Form a loop with the working thread. Take a small stitch through or alongside the loop, following the illustrated method you have chosen.
  3. Bring the needle up inside the loop, tighten the loop around it, then draw the needle through to form the knot.
  4. Repeat along the guide, spacing the knots consistently and maintaining even tension.

Published demonstrations can differ in the precise wrap and needle path. Practical Embroidery’s sequence uses a loop, brings the needle up inside it, then tightens and draws through: Practical Embroidery’s scroll stitch tutorial. Once you begin, keep to one method rather than mixing instructions from different diagrams.

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Direction and tension

Scroll stitch is commonly worked from left to right, but it can also be worked from right to left. Deanna Hall West, PieceWork’s needlework technical editor, notes that the reverse direction can be especially useful for left-handed stitchers. Whichever direction you use, keep the knots similar in size and avoid pulling so tightly that they lose their rounded, characteristic form. PieceWork’s scroll-stitch guidance was published June 12, 2019.

Choose thread and needle for the fabric

Thread choice changes the appearance more than the basic stitch method. Firm, round thread—such as pearl cotton—tends to make a bolder, more distinct sequence of knots. Stranded embroidery floss tends to produce a flatter, less defined line. Choose a needle that passes comfortably through the fabric with the thread you are using; no single needle size is required for every project.

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Published projects illustrate the range rather than establish a universal setup. PieceWork lists DMC Pearl Cotton with chenille needles in sizes 24 or 26, or embroidery/crewel needles in sizes 5 or 6. An American Patchwork & Quilting appliqué tutorial uses Perle cotton No. 3 with a No. 18 chenille needle. Match any example to your own fabric, thread thickness, and project rather than treating those sizes as requirements. American Patchwork & Quilting’s appliqué example was published September 26, 2014.

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Scroll stitch and coral stitch: the difference

Both are knotted line stitches and can look related at a glance. The knot is formed differently, however, and the connecting line is a useful visual clue: scroll stitch has a curved line between knots, while coral stitch has a straighter one. If you are following a pattern, use its named stitch or diagram, since the resulting texture depends on the knot method.

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