Pulled Thread Embroidery

Pulled thread embroidery, also known as "pulled work" is a counted embroidery technique, worked on a loosely woven evenweave fabric.

Stitches are worked around groups of threads in the base fabric and pulled, using the tension of the stitches to form gaps, creating lacy, airy fillings, bands, border and hems. It is most commonly worked in white thread on white fabric, but can also be worked in colored threads.

Pulled thread technques are used in many type of embroidery including Spanish largartera (shown here, with pulled thread techniques worked in the center of the motif), Danish hedebo, and needle lace.