How To Do A French Knot: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Do a French Knot PDF download Download Article Co-authored by Lindsey Campbell and Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: March 10, 2025 References

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  • Stitching a French Knot
    • |
  • Adding French Knots to Your Projects
    • |
  • Video
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  • Q&A
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  • Tips
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  • Things You'll Need
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This article was co-authored by Lindsey Campbell and by wikiHow staff writer, Jessica Gibson. Lindsey Campbell is an artist and instructor behind Hello Hydrangea, a modern fiber company specializing in custom home decor and weaving supplies. She has taught over 2500 students how to weave craft through her online video classes. Lindsey's work has been featured in Design*Sponge, Huffington Post, and Vintage Revivals, and she has designed products for JoAnns Crafts, Anthropologie, and Nordstrom. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 236,614 times.

French knots can look like a complicated way to add texture to embroidery, but they're really simple. Bring your needle up through the fabric and wrap the embroidery floss around the needle a few times. When you push it down into your fabric and bring the needle through, you'll see a delicate dot. French knots are great for filling in embroidered images or creating patterns so it's a useful stitch to know.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 2:

Stitching a French Knot

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  1. Step 1 Thread a needle and place your fabric or hoop in your lap. 1 Thread a needle and place your fabric or hoop in your lap. For a small French knot, thread a single strand of embroidery floss through the eye of a needle. If you'd like a larger knot, use 2 to 4 strands of floss. Then, place the fabric you're embellishing or the hoop you're embroidering on in your lap since you'll need both hands to make the French knot.[1]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Do a French Knot 2 Bring the needle up through the fabric. Hold the needle under your fabric and push the tip of it through where you want to make the knot. Pull the needle to extend the floss so only about 2 inches (5.1 cm) is left underneath the fabric.[2]
    • If you're worried that you'll accidentally pull the floss completely through the fabric, hold the underside in place until you make the knot.
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  3. Step 3 Hold the needle horizontally so it points away from your work. 3 Hold the needle horizontally so it points away from your work. Lower the needle towards the surface of your fabric and hold it horizontally behind the floss so the floss forms a loop. Point the tip of the needle away from the center of your hoop or fabric.[3]
    • Use the hand that's not holding the needle to pinch the floss that's coming away from the fabric so it's taut. This will prevent the floss from getting tangled.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Do a French Knot 4 Wrap the floss around the needle 2 to 3 times. Keep holding the needle horizontally and use your other hand to wind the floss 2 or 3 times around the needle. Go slowly so the floss doesn't slide off of it.[4]
    • If you'd like a smaller knot, try wrapping the floss around the needle only 1 time. The more you wind the floss, the bigger the knot will be.
    • To prevent the wrapped floss from sliding off, you can use your non-dominant hand to hold the working floss taut.

    Tip: Keep the needle from moving or twisting as you wrap the floss. This can tangle the floss or prevent your knot from forming.

  5. Watermark wikiHow to Do a French Knot 5 Push the wrapped needle down through the fabric. Point the tip of the needle right next to where you began the stitch. Then, insert it and bring the needle down through the fabric. To prevent tangling, hold the floss with your other hand until you've completely pulled the needle through the fabric.[5]
    • The floss will form a loop until you pull the needle completely through. Use your fingers to prevent the loop from tangling as you make the stitch.
    • To avoid pulling the French knot through the fabric, pull the floss slowly and stop as soon as the knot forms.
    EXPERT TIP Lindsey Campbell

    Lindsey Campbell

    Embroidery Specialist Lindsey Campbell is an artist and instructor behind Hello Hydrangea, a modern fiber company specializing in custom home decor and weaving supplies. She has taught over 2500 students how to weave craft through her online video classes. Lindsey's work has been featured in Design*Sponge, Huffington Post, and Vintage Revivals, and she has designed products for JoAnns Crafts, Anthropologie, and Nordstrom. Lindsey Campbell Lindsey Campbell Embroidery Specialist

    Make sure that the exit and entry points are right on top of each other. Otherwise, you'll have a knot with a thread coming out of it. Doing this will also help you use your finger to hold the knot in place as you're pushing the needle in.

  6. Watermark wikiHow to Do a French Knot 6 Pull the floss until a knot forms and anchor the back to secure the stitch. If you're going to make more French knots that aren't more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart, just start stitching the next knot. If you do want to tie off the knot, slide the needle under a stitch to make a loop under your fabric. Bring the needle through the loop and pull tightly before you cut the floss.[6]
    7. Advertisement
Method 2 Method 2 of 2:

Adding French Knots to Your Projects

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  1. Step 1 Use French knots to create punctuation for embroidered words. 1 Use French knots to create punctuation for embroidered words. If you're embroidering a word or phrase, you may need to dot an "i" or make a period. French knots can make these stand out so your word or phrase is visible.[7]
    • For a fun way to embroider a word, trace the outline of the word on your fabric. Then, make lots of French knots around the border for each letter. Leave the actual word empty so the space is visible because it's surrounded by French knots.
  2. Step 2 Fill embroidered flower petals or centers with French knots. 2 Fill embroidered flower petals or centers with French knots. Make a simple flower by placing a cluster of French knots at the top of an embroidered stem. You could also sew the outline of a large flower and fill in the petals with French knots so your flower is full of rich color and texture. To make the center of the flower stand out, make the French knots in the middle a different color.[8]
    • For example, to make a daisy, create white French knots that radiate out from a center point. Then, make a few yellow french knots in the center.
  3. Step 3 Sew delicate stars or snowflakes using French knots. 3 Sew delicate stars or snowflakes using French knots. Stitch rows of French knots to make star or snowflake patterns that are as simple or detailed as you like. Although there's no need to connect the knots, you could use a straight stitch to join them and make the stars or snowflakes clearer.
    • Try sewing constellations using French knots. To make brighter stars in the constellation, use 2 or 3 strands of thread instead of 1.
  4. Step 4 Sew textured patterns on your projects. 4 Sew textured patterns on your projects. You can still use French knots even if you're not sewing text or images. Create a simple design of French knots to fill your fabric or create edging. For example, alternate French knots in different colors or sizes to add interest to the edge of your project.[9]
    • Consider switching the thread color to make your pattern stand out even more.

    Tip: For a fun zig-zag pattern, make 2 parallel rows of French knots so the bottom row is slightly off-center. Then, make straight stitches that move diagonally from the top French knot to the knot below it.

  5. Step 5 Work with yarn... 5 Work with yarn to make a French knot on your knitted or crocheted pieces. French knots aren't only for sewing or embroidery. You can embellish finished knitted or crocheted pieces with French knots in matching or contrasting yarn. For example, if you want to add texture to a knitted scarf, make French knots along the ends of the scarf.[10]
    • French knots are a great way to add interest to a crocheted baby blanket. You can make a pattern with the knots or use them to make a flower design.
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References

  1. ↑ https://sewguide.com/how-to-thread-a-needle/
  2. ↑ https://youtu.be/pjI5yo656U4?t=7
  3. ↑ https://youtu.be/pjI5yo656U4?t=16
  4. ↑ https://youtu.be/pjI5yo656U4?t=18
  5. ↑ https://youtu.be/pjI5yo656U4?t=44
  6. ↑ https://youtu.be/pjI5yo656U4?t=59
  7. ↑ https://youtu.be/GbBY5aAVMwg?t=95
  8. ↑ https://sewguide.com/french-knot-stitch/
  9. ↑ https://sewguide.com/french-knot-stitch/
More References (1)
  1. ↑ https://youtu.be/YVyovLzfXx8?t=228

Community Q&A

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  • Question I am doing a tapestry and wish to add flowers. Do I use a French knot for this? T. Chinsen T. Chinsen Top Answerer The French knot creates a raised dot that simulates the pollen center of a flower. An extended chain stitch can be used to create the petals. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 8 Helpful 12
  • Question How do I wrap the thread around the needle? Community Answer Community Answer Take the thread, approximately the middle of the thread you've just pulled through the fabric, between your index finger and thumb, and pull it taut against the eye. Keeping a hold on it, hold the needle tight with your other hand and take the thread you're holding around the middle of the needle until it encircles it, and repeat the maneuver two more times, then continue making the French Knot. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 4 Helpful 8
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Video

Tips

  • If you're struggling to make a French knot, try wrapping the yarn around the needle in a figure-8 motion before inserting it through the fabric. This will create a colonial knot, but it looks just like a French knot. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Things You'll Need

  • Embroidery floss or yarn
  • Needle
  • Fabric or embroidery hoop
  • Scissors

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About This Article

Lindsey Campbell Co-authored by: Lindsey Campbell Embroidery Specialist This article was co-authored by Lindsey Campbell and by wikiHow staff writer, Jessica Gibson. Lindsey Campbell is an artist and instructor behind Hello Hydrangea, a modern fiber company specializing in custom home decor and weaving supplies. She has taught over 2500 students how to weave craft through her online video classes. Lindsey's work has been featured in Design*Sponge, Huffington Post, and Vintage Revivals, and she has designed products for JoAnns Crafts, Anthropologie, and Nordstrom. This article has been viewed 236,614 times. 25 votes - 51% Co-authors: 23 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 236,614 Categories: Featured Articles | Sewing Article SummaryX

To do a French knot for your embroidery project, start by threading your needle with 1 piece of embroidery floss for a small knot, or 2-4 pieces if you want a bigger knot. Next, bring the threaded needle up through the backside of the fabric you're working on. Then, wrap the thread around the base of the needle 2-3 times before passing the needle back through in the same location. Pull the thread until a knot forms and slide the needle under a stitch to create a loop under your fabric. To secure the knot, pass the needle through the loop and pull it tightly before you cut the thread! For tips on creating multiple French knots in a row, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Linda Williams

    Linda Williams

    Aug 11, 2016

    "I haven't sewn French knots for a few years and this reminded me of the steps required clearly and easily. "
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Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Lindsey Campbell Co-authored by: Lindsey Campbell Embroidery Specialist 25 votes - 51% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 23 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 236,614 Linda Williams

Linda Williams

Aug 11, 2016

"I haven't sewn French knots for a few years and this reminded me of the steps required clearly and easily. " Graham Burns

Graham Burns

Jul 7, 2016

"I am just starting a French knot project of a cottage garden and this has been a great help." Eiobhlen Leddy

Eiobhlen Leddy

Apr 23, 2018

"First time out with a french knot and it was perfect, due to the how-to advice. Thank you." Sue Eacock

Sue Eacock

Dec 4, 2016

"Great. I've just taken up patchwork so now I know how to impress my friends. Many thanks!" Arhita Ghosal

Arhita Ghosal

Sep 13, 2016

"This stitch helped me for my school project." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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