"FOOL PROOF FRENCH KNOT"
by Jenny Hart ♥

The most feared and equally adored embroidery stitch.

The trick is in really understanding how it works instead of just hoping it will turn out right. You can do it. Mais oui, you can! So why is it so difficult to learn? It's not. It's difficult to teach.

Usually, I encourage you to read stitching instructions with needle and floss in hand. Instead, this time I suggest you read through all the steps first. I've broken down each tricky bit that  finally clicked with me after lots of practice. Don't be scared off by all the steps, once you get the hang of it, they will all blend together with a petite flick of your wrist!

Just check out the diagrams below...

Stitched by Amy Bindel
(Pattern: Lisa Petrucci for Sublime Stitching)

Are you left-handed? Don't fret!

~ FRENCH KNOT FOR LEFTIES ~

French Knot - Step One

You will need both hands, so set your hoop in your lap or work surface. With your non-needle hand pinch the floss a few inches from where it exits the fabric (where arrow is pointing). Hold it taut with your hand not holding the needle (that's important).

French Knot - Step Two

Place your needle in front of this stretch of floss. Notice the needle is in front of the floss, not coming from behind it. This will make the next step easier, and will prevent the knot from going all wonky later on.

French Knot - Step Three

Wind the floss around the needle* once or twice (shown winding twice), depending on if you want a bigger or smaller knot. Continue the tension of the floss with your left hand (non-needle hand) to prevent it from uncoiling.

*Keep your hand holding the needle still while winding it with the floss in this step. Meaning, don't try to use your needle hand to do the wrapping by getting all twirly with your wrist. This is the first way your knot can go wrong!

French Knot - Step Four

Okay, you've wound around the needle, the coil is pulled nice and taut. Next: (This is an important one!) Re-insert the tip of your needle just next to, but not into the same exit point on your fabric. If you enter the same hole, your knot may pop all the way through when you finish (and you say "wha happen?"). So, simply return at a point a little bit away from the exit point. And hold it right there! Keep your needle in this position. Don't push it all the way through juuust yet. The next step is an even more important one...

French Knot - Step Five

Remember your non-needle hand pinching the length of floss? Remember? Wake it up! This is when it goes to work. Give the floss a little downward tug with that hand, so that the coil will tighten up, and slide down your needle to make a little bundle against the surface of your fabric.

French Knot - Step Six

With your coil snugly held in position against the surface, now push your needle all the way through!

French Knot - Step Seven

See? You've just pulled your needle, and the floss trailing behind it, down through the center of the coil that was wrapped around the needle.

(Didn't work? Go back to step one and we'll go over it again.)

French Knot - Finished

Voilà! I knew you could do it. Keep practicing and you won't even have to think about the steps. And, if it didn't turn out just right the first time, don't worry- try it again and you'll eventually get the feel for it.