The French knot is an embroidery technique to make small tight knots which, when grouped, can represent flowers or other decorative elements, and give life to graceful crafts. Once you have finished your sewing, crochet or knitting work, you can give it a master touch by decorating it with "dots."
Steps
Step 1. Thread the needle
You can use a single thread about 30 cm long, or three embroidery threads together. If you want to make a fabric French knot, you need a needle with a wider and stronger eye than usual, or you can even use a yarn needle.
If you are using separate threads, treat the ends of the threads separately - tie the knot near the end of only one thread, not the others. Make the knotted thread slightly longer than the other two. This thread will serve to fix the point; the other two will "body"
Step 2. Pull the needle out from behind
Pull the thread to its full length, placing the knot on the edge of the fabric.
- If you use several threads together, the knot will stretch one, and leave the others free to pass. This is how it should work.
- If the fabric is embroidered, you can also secure the thread on the back with two stitches.
Step 3. Point the needle down and wrap the thread around the needle three times
Thread the needle back into the fabric just 1-2 stitches away from where it came out from the back. Then, pull the thread tightly around the base of the needle - this is where the stitch begins to form.
- To finish: take the thread between the index finger and the thumb of the left hand (or right if you are left handed), about 5 cm from the fabric. Wrap the thread around the needle towards you - twice for a small knot, three or four times for a larger knot. Pull the thread tight to make it slide off the needle, where you can see the knot ready and waiting to form.
- If you are working on a more compact fabric, such as Aida, it may be appropriate to go back with the needle a few millimeters from the original hole, so as not to pull the knot at the back.
Step 4. Pull the yarn through the double warp, and back into the fabric
Point the needle into the fabric where it first came out. As you go, keep holding the thread taut with your left hand, lifting it up a little with your thumb so that it doesn't get tangled. The threads will then knot in the correct shape.
- Apply continuous tension to the thread - the knot should begin to form before the needle comes out. If worked correctly, the double warp will form like a small "bud" at the insertion point - the French knot.
- Don't rip the thread - you risk undermining all your hard work. Pull slowly to prevent your threads from tangling and knotting incorrectly.
Step 5. Secure the thread to the back
This is best done if you keep the fabric flat on a hard surface, such as a book or magazine, and not on your lap. If you want to create more knots, you can choose whether to tie them or attach them to already existing points. If you stare at them, you won't run the risk of them falling apart.
Repeat the above steps as often as you like. If you want to make a series of French knots, start over from the first step 1 or 2 points away from the first knot. Keep working until you are satisfied with the series of knots. When you are done, you can say that you have mastered the French knot technique
Step 6. Finished
Advice
- To make a French knot in fabric, use a sewing needle, but with a wide eye.
- Use a color compatible with your design. If you did a sewing job with a specific shape, use a color that is already present in the fabric, otherwise it will clash. For example: green, pink, yellow.
