How to embroider a French Knot…

February 16, 2010 21 Comments by Kirsty

I do love French Knots & I trot them out at every opportunity. Time consuming if you cluster them – yes. This lot represents about 4 hours of knotting!

But I remember they were mystifying for such a long time. Maybe it was the quick movement of Vicky’s hands…they always seemed beyond my reach. I always ended up in a French mess!

I’ve had a few people ask about French Knots so I’ve prepared a little video of how I French Knot. For me the key/secret is the “correction” which you’ll here about & see if you watch the video. I hope you find it useful. It’s a great stitch to have in your “kit”.

I’m working on my video skills. Obviously I was holding the piece too close to the camera…ah well…practice, practice, practice.

Video made using The Flip.
Thanks to Flip Video, I love this piece of equipment.

21 Comments

plushka
719 days ago

French knot are always so tricky to stitch! Great tutorial! I will certainly try to stitch a few this evening.

Thanks for sharing!

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crzylady
719 days ago

Thank you! I've always thought they were so pretty, But I'm not one to read how to do things.. so! your quick tutorial means I will be doing french knots on everything and pretend how very clever I am

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Violet and Rose
719 days ago

I am such a dud at a french knot! I am about to watch your video and see if I can correct that! thanks!

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Brenda
719 days ago

Great tutorial! I think I'll be putting a small hoop like yours on my shopping list!

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cmybl0g
719 days ago

Appreciate your taking the time to make a video. Thanks.

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Maevy
719 days ago

Thank you for offering this tutorial, I am sure it will help me to improve my French knot!

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willywagtail
719 days ago

I totally love french knots too. I can't do satin stitch correctly so love the idea of filling in and shading with french knots. Cherrie

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One Flew Over
719 days ago

I'm a HUGE fan of french knots…it is probaby the limit of my stitching skills.

LOVE your video and the gold cluster.

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Jenni
719 days ago

that was great Kirsty, I'm going to give them a try.
p.s. I love the needle popping fabric sound on the video.
Thanks.

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june at noon
719 days ago

I love French knots! Great video.

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Anonymous
719 days ago

Hooray and thank you. I've always had trouble and you make it look so easy.

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Mel
719 days ago

Mmmm your french knotting looks like it would feel very plush indeed! Look forward to watching your tutorial. I only just tried french knots for the first time last week and the needle just kept sliding through – no knots! Which is funny considering I seem to get non-knotty stitches into knots all the time!

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Amanda
719 days ago

thankyou! I've cross-stitched since I was little but never been able to master the french knot. the video is much appreciated

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Chris
719 days ago

Thanks! They've always been a mystery to me, and I love the look of them. Will definitely have a go.

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missi mu
719 days ago

You make the french knot look effortless. French knots, Chinese knots, I end up in a loopy mess!

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Lexi:: PottyMouthMama
718 days ago

How lucious!

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marionjoy
718 days ago

lovely tutorial.. and i loved the benefit of your gardening hands .. marvellous..

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Jodie
718 days ago

You are the stitching bomb!

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Harrison House
718 days ago

I've never been able to understand written directions on how to do a french knot. A still photo didn't help! But your tutorial was super easy to follow! Thanks so much! Maybe I'll try a few tonight watching the Olympics!

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Anna Bartlett
717 days ago

I really think I could do that now! And I also have a flip but haven't yet attempted to do a blog vid, so well done to you.

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Katie
716 days ago

Thank you for making this video. I've always had inconsistent results with french knots and hopefully your tip about correcting the stitch will be just what I need to do them correctly.

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