Stitches for Needlepoint

French Knots

French Knots have not been one of my favorite stitches for needlepoint, I must admit.

I'm never sure if I'm doing them correctly, I always worry they will pull through, or have loops where the knot should be tight. Or something else.

If you are like me, then there is plenty of help there on the Web. Here are some great resources I've found.

• a video tutorial
• Purl Bee photo tutorial
• another video tutorial
• an illustrated tutorial from Sublime Stitching
• one for lefties from the same folks
• YouTube video
• Expert Village video

None of these are done on needlepoint canvas. All but the Expert Village one are done on non-evenweave fabric. The thing that will be different about French Knots in needlepoint is that you can come out and go into the fabric in the same hole or over a thread or intersection.

Here are some other things to remember about French Knots:

• the size of the needle makes the biggest difference in the size of the knot
• the thickness of the thread makes a difference as well
• in needlepoint wrapping the thread around the needle once or twice is preferred
• you can make French Knots over a base of Basketweave, so that you don't have to make solid knots to cover an area, I call this the "Lazy Stitcher's Method" and use it often; it makes for a less dense look
• French Knots can replace beading

With these tutorials and tips, French Knots will become one of your most used stitches for needlepoint.