Time Out Tuesday: Meditative Embroidery/ French Knots

I do not embroider very much these days, though it is something that I enjoy a bit. I am not super proficient at it, so it makes it harder for me to fully dive into a project knowing that it is going to take me quite a bit of time to complete. That being said, I try to keep them pretty small and also try to use the french knot stitch to help me in the moment/ more mindful. I also like french knots because they add such amazing texture to the pieces make them POP from the hoop. I also like the repetition of the french knot, it allows for the process to be much more meditative!

French knots are pretty simple, one you get the hang of it. Some people wrap their thread around the needle three times and some only two. I personally only do two wraps because I like a medium sized knot, but sometimes if I want a larger knot I will wrap three. It also depends on the thread you are using and how many strands, because of course the knot will be larger if you have more thread! I often use DMC thread and I use 3 strands, sometimes 4. I don’t often use all the threads in one bundle of the thread because that can sometimes make the wraps unruly and the needle does not always go through.

I am going to walk you through some steps, some tricks and some resources to best do the french knots!

SUPPLIES

- Fabric

-Embroidery Hoop

-Embroidery Floss

-Sewing or Miliner Needle

TIPS, TRICKS & STEPS

You will need both hands for making a french knot (or at least I need both of my hands). I set my hoop on the table or my lap to crate these knots, or if you have an embroidery hoop stand totally use that!

01. Bring the thread through the back of the hoop to the front. Pull it up taught and with your non- needle hand (I hold the needle in my right and the thread in my left!), pinch the floss a few inches from where it exits the fabric. Make sure to hold the thread taught, that is important.

02. Place the needle in front of stretch of floss under your hand that is holding the floss. Make sure that the needle is in font, closer to you. This makes the next step easier and the knot from getting wonky.

03. Keeping your hand holding the needle still, wrap the floss around the needle twice or three times depending on the size of the knot you want. Do not try to wrap with your needle hand, all the wrapping gets done with your non- needle hand. Continue to hold the tension of the floss with your left hand. Make sure that this tension is not SO tight that you won’t be able to get the needle through. Have guitar sting like tension.

04. This step is important , you are going to re-insert the tip of the needle just next to where your thread is coming from. Try not to go too far away, but also not into the same hole.

05. Maybe this step is more important, whoops. While you are driving the needle into the fabric, keep the floss in your non-needle hand taught and give it a downward tug. This allows for the coil to tighten up and slide down your needle to make the cutest little bundle against your fabric!

06. Okay, okay, now you can push the needle all the way through your fabric!

07. AMAZING! You’v just pulled your needle the floss trailing behind it. down through the center of the coil that you wrapped around your needled! If it didn’t work, just go back to step one and try again! You will get it i promise.

Keep it up and continue to practice. You can make the knots close together or spread them out to create different textures. It is a great time. Once you get the hang of it I promise you that it will become one of your most favorite meditative embroidery techniques. I know that it has become mine!

RESOURCES

One of my favorite artists that use french knots exclusively is Patrica Larocque of FFEMBROIDERY. I also love what she makes and how she edits them onto her face for her photos. It is super fun!

A video of french knots being made that I found on the website Needle n Thread! A great resource for all things embroidery to be completely honest.

All of the photos are scans from a book from Sublime Stitches and it came with some patterns! I love Sublime stitches, they are a great resource as well!