Wednesday, March 04, 2009

French Knot Tutorial

And now for something totally different….. Last weekend I was at Webs teaching Creative Embroidery on Knits to a wonderful bunch of women. We had a nice afternoon, even if they did walk out a bit exhausted trying to take in all they learned. They left with beautiful little samplers of many stitches.

It seems that one of the most frustrating embroidery stitches to learn is the French Knot. There are always complaints – “I can’t do it.” “My knots always disappear.” “My knots look like a little speck.” I never let anyone leave my class without knowing how to do this really versatile stitch.

For you all, my loyal readers, I have made a little French Knot Video Tutorial since you weren’t at my class. Enjoy! And please spread the word to any of your friends who have experience French Knot Frustration……


17 comments:

Sooze said...

Great, simple explanation.

But now I need to learn to make the flowers! :)

KPiep said...

You know, you've already helped me with that! I had thought for years and years that I knew how to do them - and that they were just difficult. Then I made my daughter a pair of mittens based on a pair in your book, Kristin Knits, and I actually read the instructions in the back. I was amazed at how beautiful they look when actually done right! Silly me! and Thank You!

Eva said...

I always thought, just stupid me won't succeed.
Okay, I'll try again. Nothing is better than watching someone who does it right. Thanks for sharing!

ellen said...

Super, thanks for sharing. I would jump for joy to be able to take a class from you!

Anonymous said...

I agree with KPiep. I was always doing too much work on mine, they were fine, but tedious. These are much easier!

Thanks,KN,
Linda

Renna said...

Thank you so much for sharing that! I used to cross-stitch, and often had to do french knots. I only ever wrapped the thread around the needle once. I can see now how it would work so much better wrapping it twice!

Anonymous said...

A very pleasing tutorial. Lovely to see a craftswoman demonstrating an effective technique that looks like second nature to her. Thank you.

mascanlon said...

Oh my gosh, how simple, I tried with embrodiery thread and was successful. In the past its been hit or miss and now I can come back to this tutorial anytime I get confused. Such technique, thank you!

Willow said...

I think that all these years I've been wrapping the thread wrong. How simple that was! Thanks!

Knitlee said...

Great tutorial! I feel so fortunate to have had the lesson in person at Colorful Stitches last spring! You are a great teacher. Will there be a tutorial on making the flowers?

Anonymous said...

Thanks for offering this!

My maternal grandmother embroidered an entire twin-sized bedspread, one that went down to the floor on the sides, entirely, completely with french knots. I have always been amazed at that!

Gerrie in MN

Halldóra said...

This is great! Makes me want to try to decorate my knitting... :-)

Lora said...

My mother does embroidery but hates French knots. Whenever I visit her I spend an afternoon putting in all the French knots on whatever project she's been working on!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
azuliverde.21 said...

My grandmother used to call it "ro-co-có".

Unknown said...

Kristin, Thank you so much for sharing - this is great. When are you going to publish another stitchery book!!! We're all waiting!

日月神教-向左使 said...
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