Stitch a French knot the easy way!

Do you know how to stitch a French knot without getting in a tangle? Perhaps you avoid them due to bad experiences in the past?

Let me show you an easy way to create perfect French Knots in your projects and put those horror stories to one side from now on. 

You will find French knots in needlepoint, surface (or freestyle)) embroidery, crewel work and counted thread designs.

They are often used for eyes, noses and flowers. Massed together the french knot stitch can also be used to represent fur (as I did for the cat in the photograph) hair or even a bunnies tail.

Scroll down the page to watch my video on French Knots.


Cat worked in French KnotsCat worked in French Knots

Top tips for perfect French knots

  1. Only wrap the thread around the needle once.
  2. Use a thicker thread for bigger knots.
  3. Use a hoop or frame to hold the fabric so both hands are free to work the stitch.
  4. Try not to use the same hole when you enter and exit the fabric.


Butterfly worked in French knotsThe top wings of this butterfly are worked in multiple coloured French Knots

Let's stitch a French knot!

Bring the needle through to the right side of your work where you want to make your knot. Hold the thread near to the fabric/canvas and wrap it around the needle once (or at most twice).

Pull the thread firmly so that the wraps tuck up snug around the needle.

Re-insert the needle one canvas or fabric thread away and . . .

. . . keeping the tension on the wrapped thread, gently pull the needle through to the back of the work. The knot should stay close to the fabric and keep nice and tight.

French knots can be used in canvas work (or needlepoint), counted cross stitch projects and also surface (or free style) embroidery. I used them for the center of my flower on the thread painting page.

Watch the video

You may find it easier to work the knots after watching tme stitch them in the video below.


Alternatives to the French knot stitch

If you decide that you really do not want to stitch a French Knot you could always substitute seed beads instead! Check my page on attaching beads.

There are also other knotted stitches that you may like to try as a replacment, such as the colonial knot.


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