French Knots in Cross-Stitch Patterns

What you will learn

• Placing a knot on a grid
• Stopping the knot pulling through an Aida hole

Materials and tools

• 14-count Aida cloth, white or cream
• Tapestry needle size 24 (blunt tip)
• Six-strand embroidery floss
• Embroidery scissors
• 4 or 5 in (10 or 13 cm) hoop (optional on stiff Aida)

1. On the chart a French knot is a dot, usually on a grid intersection or in the middle of a square. Work knots last, after crosses and backstitch.
2. Come up at the marked position. If it is on an intersection, that is an existing hole.
3. Hold the thread taut and wrap it twice round the needle.
4. Go back down very close by, but not in the same hole. On Aida, pierce the fabric block right next to the hole, or the knot will slip through to the back.
5. Keep the thread taut while you push the needle through until the knot sits on the surface.
6. Secure on the back after each knot or small group. Knots are easy to loosen by tugging the thread.

Tips for a neat result

• If knots frustrate you, a tiny seed bead or a single small cross in the same colour is a fair substitute.
• The full lesson with more troubleshooting is in the embroidery section.

Common mistakes and fixes

Check your result

• Each knot is firm, round and sits where the chart shows.

Projects that use this