Sunday 7 April 2019

Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 93: Rya Stitch

Today we will learn a stitch that is used for rug knotting, the Rya Stitch.
In the 1970's there was a rya knotting boom in Sweden.
Here is a YouTube link to show you how the stitch is used for making rugs.

The Rya Stitch can of course be used for embroidery, too.
When worked on canvas it is called either Rya Stitch or Ghiordes Stitch (named after the Turkish town Gördes, a centre for hand knotted carpets).
When worked on plain fabric, and the loops cut open, it is known as Turkey Work.
Updated: Mattia tells me, the French name is Rya Point.

You need fabric to stitch on, thread and needle.
I'd also recommend a very long needle and a hoop.

Stretch the fabric in a hoop and insert the long needle from the back, so you have a bar to work the thread over.



Measure the length you want the loops to be.
Insert the needle at this point above the bar, right to left and take a small bite of fabric. Pull through.


Leave a tail down over the bar.
Let the working thread go up above the needle, and take a new stitch next to the first one. 
Pull through.

Let the working thread hang down over the bar.
Can you see the T-shaped stitch?
Next, take the needle under the bar without catching any fabric.


Now take the thread under the bar, and

make a new stitch, right to left.

Pull through, and notice how a loop has formed around the bar.
Keep the working thread above the stitch line. 

Take a new stitch. Pull through.

Once again, take the needle under the bar to make a loop.
Make sure you don't catch any fabric.

Continue making stitches in this way until you have the required number of loops.

Remove the long needle. Either keep the loops or cut them open.

Homework:
Aida Sampler, SSS Reference Chart, Teal Wool Tailoring Scribble Cloth

7 comments:

Rachel said...

I've several '70s and '80s books that make great use of Rya and Ghiordes stitches for texture.

Pamela said...

Great illustration on how to do it. I've done turkey work before, but didn't know it had another name.

Janie said...

Yes, that is a useful stitch for texture, filler, rugs, and making 'hair.'
I made a doll a while back and used that stitch to give it hair.
Nice work.

https://linsartyblobs.blogspot.com said...

I often wondered how that stitch was made, thanks for the instructions.

jacaranda said...

Fascinating stitch.

deepa said...

Wow!! I saw the unfamiliar name and then went straight to the tutorial..looking at the pics I said to myself, hey!! that's Turkey stitch!! Then I read the whole post again - and everything was clear :)
What a great beginning to the week!! Have a lovely week ahead :)

carorose said...

I used this stitch way back when. In weaving we called them Ghiordes knots. Now that is a blast from the past.