How to Embroider on Knitted Fabric

Embroidering on your knitting fabric is an excellent way to spice up your knitted items. You can add colorful designs without having to follow a complicated color chart, as you change different yarns as you knit your piece. It's also a practical way to use your spare pieces of yarn, left over from old knitting projects.

Materials for Embroidering on Knitting

Most often, wool yarn is used for embroidering on knitting. However, you can use anything suitable for embroidering. For example, you could also use embroidery floss, but be sure to use all six strands for proper coverage. If working on a a washable sweater, but sure to use washable embroidery materials, making sure your embroidery strand is large enough to cover up your knitting yarn. For embossed effects, it can be a bit larger.

Crewel Stitches on Knitting

Crewel embroidery stitches are usually appropriate for embroidering on knitted fabric. A few of the traditional crewel stitches include the satin stitch, stem stitch, French knots, couching stitches, cross stitches, and herringbone stitch.

Because knitted fabric is stretchy and open, it's best to use a reinforcing fabric behind your embroidery, such as silk organza. Another good choice is lightweight, non-woven interfacing which can be carefully trimmed (especially if using an outing stitch afterwards). Simply draw the design onto the reinforcing fabric, stitch, and then secure it in place on the knitting. All this is done with a crewel needle. For best results, embroider with one hand, above the fabric, while stationing your other hand below, as you pass the needle completely through the knitting.

Cross Stitch on Knitting