Difficulty:
| This stitch is best for: Filling out a designThe French knot is a small, textured embroidery stitch that is commonly used to create dots, eyes, and other accents in hand embroidery projects. It is a versatile stitch that can be used to add dimension and interest to any design.
How to do the French Knot
- Hold the thread: With your non-dominant hand, hold the thread about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from where the thread comes out of the fabric and gently tug it away from you. This will create the tension you need to make a neat knot. Keep the light tension all the way until Step 5.
- Wrap the thread: With your dominant hand, wrap the thread around the needle 2-3 times, depending on the size of the knot you want to create. The more times you wrap the thread, the bigger the knot will be. Keep the wraps tight and close together.
- Insert the needle: Insert the needle back into the fabric close to where you brought it up. Make sure to insert the needle close to where the wraps are located to keep the knot centered.
- Tighten the knot: While holding the tension on the thread with your non-dominant hand, gently pull the needle and thread all the way through the fabric until the wraps tighten into a knot. Be careful not to pull too hard or the knot will flatten. Slowly release the tension in your non-dominant hand as the knot tightens.
- End the stitch: To end the stitch, knot your thread on the back of the fabric and trim any excess.
Tips
- Practice making French knots on a piece of scrap fabric before starting your project to get comfortable with the stitch.
- Use a hoop to keep your fabric taut and prevent puckering.
- Vary the number of wraps you make to create knots of different sizes.
- Experiment with different thread colors and thicknesses to achieve different effects.
- If you are making a cluster of knots, repeat the Steps 1-5 as many times as needed before ending your stitch. This will save you time!
- If you’re having trouble making the knot, try using a smaller needle or changing the tension of your thread. With practice, you’ll get the hang of it!