How to Embroider a French Knot Embroidery Stitch

French knots are lovely little hand embroidery stitches that add a sweet detail to embroidery pieces.

Some people find the French knot hand embroidery stitch difficult, but with patience and practice, it can become a very fun embroidery stitch to make.

What is the difference between a colonial knot and a French knot embroidery stitch?

The hand embroidered colonial knot and the French knot look very similar, though the colonial knot is more prominent and has a higher profile.  

However, they are made differently. With both knots, the floss is wrapped around the needle twice.

While the floss is wrapped around the needle twice in the same direction for the French knot, the floss is wrapped around the needle in an "S" shape with the colonial knot. 

This makes for a different appearance in the two knots, even though they are made quite similarly.

There are so many hand embroidery stitches.  Be sure to find our hand embroidery stitch library for more hand embroidery stitch tutorials.

Learn more about the French knot embroidery stitch by watching our video or keep reading this post.

INSTRUCTIONS to hand embroidery a french knot

STEP 1: Prepare aida cloth for french knot embroidery

Take a piece of Aida cloth that is larger than the embroidery hoop and place it between the pieces of the hoop. Stretch the fabric taut while tightening the outer ring of the hoop.

The fabric should be stretched with no wrinkles in order to complete a neat French knot.

step 2: thread the embroidery needle

Using two strands of the embroidery floss, thread the embroidery needle. There are helpful tips on our site to separate the floss pieces and to thread a needle easily.

step 3: bring the needle and floss to the top of the fabric

It is important to keep the back of the embroidery project neat. It is best to not tie a knot at the end of the embroidery floss. See how to begin embroidery on our tutorial page.

Push the threaded embroidery needle from the bottom of the Aida cloth up to the top of the fabric.

Pull gently to be sure there is no extra floss that will make the French knot embroidery loose.

step 4: wrap the thread around the needle to begin the French knot

Keeping the needle close to the fabric, wrap the embroidery floss around the needle two times.  Be sure it is a firm wrap.  This will form the pretty French knot at the top of the fabric.

step 5: insert the embroidery needle down to the back of the fabric

Keeping the thread taut around the needle and holding the working embroidery thread taut with one finger, push the needle from the top of the fabric down to the back in a space right next to where the needle came up in step 3. It is important not to go back down through the same space that the needle came up.

step 6: pull the needle and embroidery floss down to make the french knot embroidery stitch

While keeping the floss taut with one finger, use the other hand to pull the needle and floss down through the fabric, gently sliding the floss through the twisted thread that is around the needle.

Do not let go of the floss until it is all nearly down through the fabric. Pull gently at the needle and floss which is at the back of the fabric in order to complete the French knot.

Do not pull so tightly that the French knot pulls through to the back of the fabric. The floss should be taut but not tight.

There it is! A lovely little French knot embroidery to add detail to the embroidered piece. Do not be intimidated by this embroidery stitch. It is easy and quite fun once you have practiced it.

When it's time to end the floss, weave the end under the stitches instead of using a knot on the back.

I hope you enjoyed this French knot tutorial. Practice making some of them and add this darling embroidery stitch to your hand embroidery work!

  

more embroidery stitch tutorials

• Backstitch
• Long and short blanket stitch
• Cable Embroidery Stitch